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.
Chorus
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
Chorus
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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
But an arrow wildly coursing
Seeks its home within my frame
Pain descends as ideals flee;
Desperately I scream your name.
Chorus
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.