Lyr Add: THE HELMSMAN

Subject: The helmsman
From: Finny
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 07:46 PM

THE HELMSMAN (Mikal Hrafspa - Mikal the Ram)
To oar, to oar, the helmsman did cry
We're close to the shore and the tide's running high
There's gold in this place and we're willing to try
And the gods would favour the bold
These Irish will flee as we come from the sea
Aye the Norseman are sailing for gold

To arms, to arms, the helmsman did shout
They've chosen to meet us in battled this day
They cannot withstand us, they'll soon run away
And the gods will favour the brave
So let fly the spear, there'll be slaughter here
Aye the Norse have come over the waves, waves, waves, waves
The Norse have come over the waves

Stand firm, stand firm, the helmsman did shout
Though many have fallen our hearts are still stout
Should we retreat it would end in a rout
And the gods would favour the strong
So we shall stand to the very last man
Aye the Norse will remember our song, song, song, song
The Norse will remember our song

Rise up, rise up, the Valkyries cry
Odin appointed this day you would die
Mount up on our horses, to Valhalla we fly
And the gods still honour the brave
Outnumbered you stood as a true hero would
True Norsemen go such to their graves, grave, graves, graves
Norsemen go such to their graves

No sound, no sound, save the rush of the sea
The ravens are feeding, they won't feed on me
For when our line broke, I hid in the trees
And the gods have forgotten my name
I cannot go home, forever I roam
For the Norse would remember my shame, shame, shame, shame
The Norse would remember my shame
SM

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE HELMSMAN
From: MMario
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 09:52 PM

Mikal does good work, doesn't he?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE HELMSMAN
From: Finny
Date: 18 Jun 01 - 10:32 PM

He does!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE HELMSMAN
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:41 AM

How about a little background about who wrote this interesting song, for those of us across the big waters.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE HELMSMAN
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:46 AM

Mikal is an occasional mudcatter - his site is here

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: THE HELMSMAN
From: Finny
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:52 AM

Mikal the Ram - Mikal Hrafspa is a gentleman who, while I haven't met him, I am a huge fan of his. He apparently sometimes comes to Mudcat Cafe, so you may come across him from time to time and if I'm lucky, I might come across him from time ti time too!

I came across his music, mainly through the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronisms) which some of you might be familiar with. For those of you who aren't, it's a medieval re-creation society.

For more information on this wonderful bard, you can check out his website. It is at... http://www.chivalry.com/mikal/

Finnabhair