Song of Chivalry II

from Cold Iron by David A. Harley

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about

There is a different version of this song on 'Tears of Morning': this one uses a guitar strung for Nashville tuning, which emphasises the archaic feel to the lyric. However, the essential story has been repeated time and time again all over the year. Wars are fought and won for the benefit of the ruling classes, not the people who most suffer the consequences of the fighting.

If you want to learn more about Nashville tuning, you might find this article of interest: whealalice.com/2020/10/28/nashville-tuning-for-guitar-an-introduction/

lyrics

When M’Lord returned / To his sheets of silk
And his gentle lady / Of musk and milk
The minstrels sang / In the gallery
Their songs of slaughter / And chivalry

The rafters roared / With laughter and boasting
Goblets were raised and drained / In toasting
The heroes of Crécy / And Azincourt
Or the madness / Of some holy war

The hawk is at rest / On the gauntlet once more
Savage of eye / And bloody of claw
Famine and fever / Are all the yield
Of the burnt-out barns / And wasted fields

The sun grins coldly / Through the trees
The children shiver / The widows grieve
And beg their bread / At the monastery door
Tell me then / Who won the war?

credits

from Cold Iron, released July 22, 2021
Words & music by David A. Harley.
Vocal and Nashville-strung guitar by David A. Harley.

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about

David A. Harley England, UK

David Harley is a former professional musician, administrator, IT security editor, author and researcher, and former much else that is even less impressive. He now lives in Cornwall. More info at whealalice.com