The Gifts

Lyrics

My father gave to me A saddle of tooled leather A restless horse, a well-honed blade Passed down by his father He asked me if I knew the way I answered, "I will find mine" "Just come back," was all he'd say So long ago, so far away My mother gave to me A kiss, her silent blessing I searched her face to know her thoughts But I was left to guessing She held out the cloak of wool That I had seen her weaving She smiled as I took the gift But I could feel her grieving I rode the steed from the glen To the ridge about Lock Kerran Where my love waited, open arms For the parting we had planned on And the flower that she gave to me Had soft, deep crimson petals I climbed back on my mount to leave So tall there in the saddle I stand here on this distant shore The bootprints just my own And gaze across the wind-swept sea For word has come from home My father dead, my mother ill My lover well and married I have a horse, a sword, a cloak And regrets I'll always carry