At the King's Command

Words: Marcus de la Forest
Tune:
Source:

The King has called us off to war
In a far off distant land
To come with harness and with horse
Across a sea of sand
I don't know for why we fight
But his cause it is my own
His spears will draw the blood bright red
And his axes sunder bone

Away, away to Estrella war
Then hame to Calontir
Away, away to fight once more
Then hame to you my dear

The fyrdmen answered call to war
A sea of fighting men
The King, he smiled down from his throne
To see their ranks again
And to the huscarls at his hand,
"Make ready for the fray.
Prepare thy arms and armour
Against that bloody day."

Away, away to Estrella war
Then hame to Calontir
Away, away to fight once more
Then hame to you my dear

The knights came with their men-at-arms
For bonded oathes they swore
Their wains were heavy loaded down
With instruments of war
Cooks and archers, followers
Journeyed to the setting sun
And at their King's commandment
Their bloody song begun

Away, away to Estrella war
Then hame to Calontir
Away, away to fight once more
Then hame to you my dear

Now the thoughts of hearth and home
Are foremost in my mind
Glory past, we journey back
To what we left behind
Fealty to crown fulfilled
And victory in hand
We revel in the loving arms
Of our own heart land

Away, away to Estrella war
Then hame to Calontir
Away, away to fight once more
Then hame to you my dear

Dedicated to TRM Gilligan and Adelith who commissioned, and inspired this song during their reign and to my family who gave me the feelings to sing about.

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