13.  There I Must Lie  (Deni Couch ©2000)
Deni Couch - vocal & treble recorder; Ned Couch - National Steel resonator guitar

Was Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII of England, a witch and adultress or a victim of court intrigue?  After just three years of marriage, during which time she gave birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I, she was convicted of high treason and beheaded in May 1536.  King Henry was betrothed to Jane Seymour the day after his wife's execution.

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When I was a young girl, I lived overseas,
All by the advice that my father gave me.
The heir to Northumberland asked for my hand,
But his promises slipped through my fingers like sand.

Then the king of all England paid court in his place
And showered gifts on me of jewels and brocades.
My brother did warn me, I'd made a mistake
When the king cast his own queen aside for my sake.

He said, 'You've made your bed, and there you must lie,
No matter how many young men catch your eye.
Tho' their glances devour you, you mustn't be swayed
And always stay true to the choice that you made.

A child grew within me; the king he was glad.
A fine son he wanted, more than all that he had,
But a daughter I bore him, and I could soon see
That the heat of my king's love had grown cold to me.

The rumours soon started; they said, the young queen
Consorting with gentlemen, she had been seen,
That my court musician, a gentle lad he,
And even my brother, my lovers did be.

But I've made my bed, and there I must lie
While they say there were many more men caught my eye.
Tho' their glances devoured me, I never was swayed,
And always stayed true to the choice that I made.

The five hapless young men, unjustly accused,
Were convicted of treason and sentenced to die.
My own uncle Thomas -- how well I loved he! --
Presided o'er the judges who then condemned me.

My date of execution is the nineteenth of May.
My friends and my brother have been dead these two days,
Beheaded, or hanged on the high gallows tree,
While the court plans to welcome the king's new lady.

But I've made my bed, and there I must lie
While they say there were many more men caught my eye.
Tho' their glances devoured me, I never was swayed,
And always stayed true to the choice that I made.

I'll never be old, nor wear widow's gowns.
I will not see my daughter grow to a fine queen.
The sun in the morning will rise without me;
It will set on my grave on the day I'm buried.

For I've made my bed, and there I will lie,
Remembering the young men who loved me and died.
As I go to my death, I resolve to be brave
And I'll remain true to the choice that I made.