In the reign of Richard long ago in Rochester did dwell
Sir Guy de Vere a noble knight as I've heard many tell
But times were troubled and men were challenged
In stations high and low.
Guy left his lover Clare de Vere to fight the Saracen foe.

Now Guy was gone four years or more and rumours they were rife
Of Richard and of Guy also, some said they'd lost their lives.
The treacherous lords of Rochester a plot they did conceive
To marry Clare to a nobleman upon Saint Mark's Eve.

This fiendish plan Clare did defy, she said it would never be
She'd rather die by her own fair hand than forsake her lover Guy.
A messenger she sent abroad to try to find the one
To save her from this terrible deed and to right the mounting wrong.

The hour approached as Guy sped home to halt this heinous deed
He burst into the castle keep and bid them all to cease
Then Hugh de Burgh his faithless friend raised up his knife on high
And though he aimed at Guy de Vere it was Clare de Vere who died.

Now it is said by those who know that upon Saint Mark's Eve
A sylph-like figure dressed in white from a castle tower is seen
So if you travel through Rochester on a cold and windy night
Pray give a thought to Clare de Vere and a tear shed for her plight.