The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #129020   Message #2893757
Posted By: Jim Dixon
24-Apr-10 - 09:30 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Saint George (John Kirkpatrick)
Subject: Lyr Add: SAINT GEORGE (John Kirkpatrick)
John Kirkpatrick wrote a song called SAINT GEORGE. His recording appears on "Going Spare" (1978) and on "Make No Bones" (2007).

Waterson:Carthy also recorded it on their album "Holy Heathens and the Old Green Man" (2006).

From EDS: The magazine of the English Folk Dance & Song Society (London: English Folk Dance and Song Society, 2004), page 241:


SAINT GEORGE
By John Kirkpatrick

1. Now, I am Saint George. I'm a God-fearing man.
I fight for Old England whenever I can,
With my banner in battle all foes to defy.
Let "The Cross and Saint George" be your battle cry.

CHORUS: And on my breast a red, red rose,
The flower of Old England wherever she grows.

2. With courage and valour I act my days.
I ask for no honour. I seek for no praise.
My only desire is to handle the sword,
And that England may flourish is all my reward.

3. I fought with the dragon and brought it to shame.
I was killed seven times, but I still fought again.
I was killed seven times, but it did me no ill.
If the battle be true, then I'll fight again still.

4. In the cause of all freedom my banner shall wave.
The oppressed and down trodden my sword it shall save,
And kindle the hearts of all true-living men,
That the victory be ours at the final Amen.


[There is another quite different set of lyrics in the thread called A national anthem for England.]