Unknown - England Has Taken Me Lyrics

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