Song Meaning
The lyrics immediately pivot, declaring "Of Lancelot du Lake / Tell i no more." This abrupt narrative shift focuses attention squarely on King Arthur and Queen Guenever, who "Lieth there." It's a stark, solemn scene, emphasizing finality over ongoing drama. The narrator announces their resting place with a quiet, almost reverent tone.
A profound emotional tension emerges between the earthly end of royalty and the enduring spiritual realm. While Arthur and Guenever lie still, "ermytes seven" are present, alongside "Monkes" who are "right of lore." Their presence suggests a sacred vigil, transforming a scene of death into one of spiritual contemplation.
The craft here is subtle but powerful. The narrator's explicit choice to "Tell i no more" about Lancelot isn't just a plot device; it underscores the gravity of Arthur's fate, making it the central, inescapable image. The monks' "moulded stewyn" evokes a specific, perhaps ancient and practiced, vocal quality, lending ritualistic weight to their prayer. This specific word choice makes the act of singing feel deeply ingrained and traditional.
These lyrics are effective because they juxtapose the stark reality of death with the enduring human need for spiritual comfort. The prayer to "Ihesu, who hath woundes sore" for "the blyss of Heaven" directly addresses suffering and offers solace, grounding the grand narrative of fallen monarchs in a deeply personal plea for salvation. It's a quiet, powerful meditation on mortality, faith, and the ceremonies that mark our transitions.
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