I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,
To take from England flef 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 Normandy,
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 canriot flee.
Love is the first, and Death is the second
And Love in England hath taken me!
lyrics. Rudyard Kipling
Trad. Arr. Damien Barber and Peter Bellamy
