Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.
Elspeth, sweet, please hold your weeping;
Tears should never dull your frame.
This is war and I'm for battle;
Your brave Tam must have a name.
Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.
Heralds cry, "The foe advances."
Hearts beat high as archers aim
But my comrade's face is pale
As fortune lures us with a name
Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.
On my left a helm is cloven;
On my right a squire made lame
Blood and mud and gray skies cloven;
In that blood is writ my name.
Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.
My sovereign's voice is filled with anguish
While men flee he cries in shame
In retreat despair is sounded;
No more chance to earn my name.
Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.
But an arrow wildly coursing
Seeks its home within my frame
Pain descends as ideals flee;
Desperately I scream your name.
Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.
Grey skies sink to fill my senses;
Elspeth, sweeting, I'm to blame
All I want is you to hold me
While at last I earn my name.
Why should princes get the glory?
Why should knights get all the fame?
I'm off to fight for king and country
And to win myself a name.