ENGLAND HAS TAKEN ME

or SIR RICHARD'S SONG



by Rudyard Kipling in Puck of Pook's Hill



I followed my Duke ere I was a lover

To take from England fief and fee

But now this game is the other way over

But now England hath taken me



I had my horse, my shield and banner

And a boy's heart so whole and free

But now I sing in another manner

But now England hath taken me



As for my Father in his tower

Asking news of my ship at sea

He will remember his own hour

Tell him England hath taken me

As for my Mother in her bower

That rules my Father so cunningly

She will remember a maiden's power

Tell her England hath taken me



As for my Brother in Rouen City

A nimble and naughty page is he

But he will come to suffer and pity

Tell him England hath taken me



As for my little Sister waiting

In the pleasant orchards of Normandie

Tell her youth is the time for mating

Tell her England hath taken me



As for my Comrades in camp and highway

That lift their eyebrows scornfully

Tell them their way is not my way

Tell them England hath taken me

Kings and Princes and Barons famed

Knights and Captains in your degree

Hear me a little before I am blamed

Seeing England hath taken me



Howso great man's strength be reckoned

There are two things he cannot flee

Love is the first and Death is the second

And Love, in England, hath taken me



Set to music by Peter Bellamy

Recorded by Bellamy (?), Bob Zentz -Beaucatcher's Farewell

@England @love @war

filename[ ENGLTAKE

SF

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