The Peasant's Reply

Words: Chidiock the Younger
Music: Knight's Leap
MIDI

Word came this morning from the Lord's high keep
That the Lord he is no more.
Drank a toast, they say, then he leapt his horse
From the cliff to the valley floor.

Now the gentle ladies weep in their veils
As their lords all vie for power.
But we common folk have cause to rejoice
That he's met his final hour.

For he bled us dry and he took our sons
All to die in his endless wars.
And we starved and we froze while his armor shone,
Now the bastard is no more.

Six sons had I, all hale and strong,
All together we tilled the fields.
But he took our crops and he left us naught
Save a view of his sword and shield.

And my sons he took, each one by one,
All to die in his battles wild.
Save the last, he hung for poaching a deer
To feed to his wife and child.

For he bled us dry and he took our sons
All to die in his endless wars.
And we starved and we froze while his armor shone,
Now the bastard is no more.

Five daughters had I, I have them still,
For each one I shed a tear.
For he took each daughter's maidenhead
When she reached the thirteenth year.

Grandsons have I, but not by choice
Of my daughters or of mine.
They're his bastard seed and I've taught them hate
For the men whose armor shines.

For he bled us dry and he took our sons
All to die in his endless wars.
And we starved and we froze while his armor shone,
Now the bastard is no more.

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