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s cor=s SONG

Sing me a song, s cop , of sorrow and joy

Of life and of living, of love and laughter,

Of wedded weal and of woeful war,

Of dreaded evils and darkness of night.

Sing of me, Mathilde my name.

Sing of my delight in my daily duties,

As I garner the grain, the fruit of the field,

Flog the flax and weave the wool

To keep my man warm in cold of winter,

And thus be awarded well-earned affection.

Sing me a charm to protect my children,

Kith and kin, from all kinds of harm.

Keep them safe ever from Esa and elves,

Let them have health, happiness and love.

Let my sons live and not leave life un shriven ,

As did Ursule my daughter, she who died

With the evils of Eve uncleansed from her soul,

Ere cassocked monk could make her Christ own.

Where wanders her spirit, weak and alone?

Sing me a prayer that her soul find repose.

Sing of my courage, keep it high

For the time when my man, the mighty thane,

Meets with the witan and his well-born liege,

Descendent of Woden, to decide on war.

Pray then for strengtli to prepare fer- strife.

Sing of my lord, my well-loved mate,

Mighty in battle, brave In deed.

May he go forth boldly to the fray

To defend his home-land, hearth and friends

From those hellish fiends, the fierce invaders.

Sing me a war-chant, wild and strong,

Sing of a rout of the savage raiders

By our kingly ring-giver, king and great,

And my lord beside him, besting the foe

In the field of battle. Soon may it be!

Sing of my lord's return, regal in bearing,

Rewarded by prince, r-enow ne d by people.

Then may there be merriment in our mead halls,

Peace and long life until the Lord

Calls us home to live with Him.

Barbara Moon

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