The Bards of Bedlam Filk Library

Chain and White Belt

Lyrics by Frederick of Holland with help from others

(To the Tune of: Greenback Dollar)

Oh, when I was a young man,
My mother said, "My son,
Your father was a mercenary traveling man.
By your eyes I know he was the one.(my son)"
By your eyes I know he was the one.

CHORUS:
     Oh, I don't give a damn about a chain or a white belt
     Money's the stuff for me
     For a willing wench and a keg of beer
     Are things you can't get for free, my lord,
     Are things you can't get for free.

Well, I learned how to fight with a sword or an axe,
To defend myself with a shield,
I learned how to guard against all kind of attacks
But most of all I learned when to yield. (my lord)

     CHORUS

Well the first time I ever hired out for pay
I knew my luck wasn't too good
My company was fighting on the losing side,
I watched the slaughter from the wood (my lord).

     CHORUS

Well some people fight for the glory
Some people fight for the good.
But I fight for the jingling silver coin
War is my livelihood. (my lord)

     CHORUS

Well, I am a true mercenary
I fight on the side with the gold
I don’t care who is in the right or the wrong.
I battle as I am told, (am told).

     CHORUS

Well, it may be a King's ransom,
Or barely enough for meat.
But I take my tithe from the countryside
In victory or defeat.(my lord)

     CHORUS

Oh, the maiden sighs for a young Knight
The matron coos at the priest
But a serving wench and a keg of ale
Are a good half-shilling apiece, (at least).

     CHORUS

And in some town where I have traveled
A mother says to her son,
“Your father was a mercenary traveling man
By your eyes I know he was the one, (my son)”

     CHORUS

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