Lyrics

[Verse 1] She's fast asleep at Woden's feet Whilst alms I seek from thronging fairfolk As a whelp fast to the teat She smote me then We've ever since been shadows Two beasts of one old soul [Verse 2] If you rely on the kindness of strangers It helps to have a hound for a handmaid Not only for the superior nose Or companionship Often people stop to talk with me Having never seen before such a very beautiful snow-coloured collie [Verse 3] Working the fell - a most powerful eye Part of the grass, fast as a lightning Before the children were grown They'd ride her like a pony Through the nodding banners yesterday She went in chase of a ship's rat At my wit's end I finally located her Under a whining bush, my poor old lady, seized by a fit [Bridge] When the raiders came in their flaming carriages She went running to her family While I listened on, cowering behind a pile of logs There's no denying it [Outro] I sold my shoes so I could buy a chicken A penance and a treat on her final day Now she is gone I carry her down to the sea And scream to the sinking stars "Can you ever forgive me?"