Bardic Arts

Road's End
by
Leah Raedaelf of Pagham
June Crown, AS XXXIX (2004)

Once more shall I sing of the Kings I have followed,
The roads I have traveled, the wonders I’ve seen.
Again share the glory, the pride, and the honor--
And sing one more song of the grace of my Queen.
For I’ll sing you the West and I’ll sing you Her people,
I’ll tell you a tale of Her warriors bold--
Of our King’s mighty strength and our Queen’s inspiration,
The land that we love well, the green and the gold.

Our army has marched to the aid of our allies;
Arrayed for each battle, we stand ten feet tall.
We’ve taken up sword and we’ve done so with honor—
To seek out the weakest, to answer their call.
Now, from An Tir to Aten we’ve carried the battle,
Along the Gulf’s shores and to Pennsic’s far glen.
The waves of war break on our lines like the sea foam;
Then, like the sea, draw back to try once again.

Our King and Queen reign o’er the land of beginnings
And each place They travel, They shine like the sun.
In every far kingdom, They meet with great honor,
And we are reminded that They bow to none.
We’ve honored our King with our courage in battle,
With each gentle deed, we honor our Queen.
We live out each pledge to serve our Kingdom--
The land that we love well, the gold and the green.

I’ve knelt here with pride as I’ve sworn You my service,
In fealty to both my land and my King.
I’ve carried the West into each land I’ve traveled,
And given my heart in the songs that I sing--
Of long-ships that sail to war for our Kingdom,
Of deeds of renown, and of days that are gone,
The honor of champions we each have trusted,
In lands of the wolf and the mist and the swan.

So, here at road’s end, I shall sing for my Kingdom,
Of lands I have traveled and wonders I’ve seen.
Again share the glory, the pride, and the honor--
And sing one last song of the grace of my Queen.
For I’ve sung you the West and I’ve sung you Her people,
I’ve told you my tales of Her warriors bold--
Of our King’s mighty strength and our Queen’s inspiration,
The land we love well, the green and the gold.

"Step-down Piece, June Crown A.S. XXXIX" -- Leah Raedaelf of Pagham

The West Kingdom History Website was created by and is maintained by Hirsch von Henford (mka Ken Mayer).