Song of the Shieldwall

Words: Malkin Grey
Music: Peregryn Wyndryder

Hasten, oh, sea steed, over the swan road
Foamy-necked ships o'er the froth of the sea!
For Hengest has called us from Gotland and Frisia
To Vortigern's country, his army to be

We'll take our pay there in sweeter than silver,
We'll take our plunder in richer than gold,
For Hengest has promised us land for our fighting,
Land for the sons of the Saxons to hold

Hasten, oh, fyrds-men, down to the river
Dragon Necked ships on the in-coming tide!
The linden wood shield and the old spear of ash wood
Are needed again at the cold waterside.

Draw up the shield wall, oh, shoulder companions;
Later whenever our story is told,
They'll say that we died guarding what we call dearest,
Land for the sons of the Saxons to hold!

Hasten, oh, house-carls, north to the Danelaw,
Harald Hardrada's come over the sea!
His longships he's laden with berserks from Norway
To claim Canute's crown and our master to be!

Bitter he'll find here the bite of our spearpoints,
Hard ruling Northmen too proud to die old.
We'll grant him six feet - plus as much as he's taller -
Of land of the sons of the Saxons will hold!

Hasten on Southwards, strong son of Godwin,
Triumph is sweet and your men have fought hard.
But William the Bastard has landed at Pevensey,
Burning the land you have promised to guard.

Draw up the spears on the hilltop at Hastings,
Fight till the sun drops and evening grows cold
And die with the last of your Saxons around you,
Holding the land you were given to hold!