A Nice Poem

[monkeyfinger]

My girlfriend's mum (whom I have never met) sent me this in the post today - a great poem about archery. I was going to put it in the Trad section, but then I thought that all types of archer would enjoy equally. So here goes, it's from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book, 'The White Company';

'What of the bow?
The bow was made in England,
Of true wood, of yew wood,
The wood of English bows;
So men who are free,
Love the old yew tree,
And the land where the yew tree grows.

What of the cord?
The cord was made in England,
A rough cord, a tough cord,
A cord that bowmen love;
So we'll drain our jacks,
To the English flax,
And the land where the hemp was wove.

What of the shaft?
The shaft was cut in England,
A long shaft, a strong shaft,
Barbed and trim and true.
So we'll drink together,
To the grey goose feather,
And the land where the grey goose flew.

What of the men?
The men were bred in England,
The bowmen, the yeomen,
The lads of dale and fell.
Here's to you, and to you!
To the hearts that are true,
And the land where the true hearts dwell.'





As it combines the dual pleasures of archery and drinking, I'm sure you'll agree that its a good 'un.

[Kae]

Probably my favourite archery poem. It's one of those poems that remind you their is something to be proud of in your heritage.

The longbow helped shape today's society and it's historical value can't be argued (different effects maybe, but historically there is no doubt it was crucial).

Kae.

[monkeyfinger]

Has this been moved? I could have sworn I put it in the General Talk section. No matter of course, you've got to keep the whipper snappers like me in line!

Anyway, I'm glad you appreciated it Kae - I'd never read it before, but like you said, it made me feel stupidly proud of my wonky stick and all of her little pointy friends...

[N.Vodden]

we've got that on a framed scroll in the bar area at Pentref Bowmen. Noticed it when i first started there, really nice piece of work.

[Thunk]

I've not come across that one before - thanks for posting it.

[slartibartfast]

Thankyou for that I enjoyed it.

[Raedwald]

And after Conan Doyle, here's something more original.........

The Agincourt Carol

Our king went forth to Normandy,
With grace and might of chivalry;
Ther God for him wrought marvelously,
Wherefore England may call, and cry
Deo gracias: Deo gracias Anglia redde pro victoria.

He set a siege, the sooth for to say,
To Harfleur town with royal array;
That town he won, and made a fray,
That France shall rue till Domesday.
Deo gracias: Deo gracias Anglia redde pro victoria.

Then went our king, with all his host,
Through France for all the French boast;
He spared no dread of least, nor most,
Till he came to Agincourt coast.
Deo gracias: Deo gracias Anglia redde pro victoria.

Then for sooth that knight comely
In Agincourt field he fought manly
Through grace of God most mighty
He had both the field, and the victory
Deo gracias: Deo gracias Anglia redde pro victoria.

There dukes, and earls, lord and baron,
Were taken, and slain, and that well soon,
And some were led in to London
With joy, and mirth, and great renown.
Deo gracias: Deo gracias Anglia redde pro victoria.

Now gracious God he save our king,
His people, and all his well willing,
Give him good life, and good ending,
That we with mirth may safely sing
Deo gracias: Deo gracias Anglia redde pro victoria.

(mind you, I prefer the Mediaeval English version, even if Maddy Prior & June Tabor do this version so well!)