Another Man’s War

Lyrics

[Verse 1] The King sits upon his fair throne in his court Hearing tales of good crops and good store When into his bailey there rides a young page Dismounting before the King's door [Chorus] "Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state But urgently you must attend For I come from the kingdom that lies to your North And our land is besieged by foul men Oh, lend us your swords, your shields and your strength To stave off the breach of our walls This foe is too great, we cannot hold long Make haste before our kingdom falls." [Post-Chorus] "Your peril is clear," the King answers the page "And fairly your words do implore But why should my countrymen suffer your fate And ride off to die in your war?" [Verse 2] The King sips his wine with his steward close by Giving word of fair weather to be When into his hall runs a squire from the East Who before the King falls to one knee ​ [Chorus] "Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state But urgently you must attend For I come from the kingdom that lies to your East And our land is besieged by foul men Oh, lend us your swords, your shields and your strength To stave off the breach of our walls This foe is too great, we cannot hold long Make haste before our kingdom falls." [Post-Chorus] "Your peril is clear," the King answers the squire "And fairly your words do implore But why should my countrymen suffer your fate And ride off to die in your war?" [Verse 3] The harvest is in and the King is at feast With his Queen he begins a pavane When into his hall limps a knight from the West With a helmet and coat of plates on [Chorus] "Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state But urgently you must attend For I come from the kingdom that lies to your East And our land is besieged by foul men Oh, lend us your swords, your shields and your strength To stave off the breach of our walls This foe is too great, we cannot hold long Make haste before our kingdom falls." [Post-Chorus] "Your peril is clear," the King answers the knight "And fairly your words do implore But why should my countrymen suffer your fate And ride off to die in your war? [Verse 4] The fires burn bright and the King bids his bard Tell of deeds of the heroes of old But the light is soon dimmed as the doors open wide And a Duke staggers in from the cold [Chorus] "Forgive me, O King, for my road-weary state But urgently you must attend For I come from the kingdom that lies to your South And our land is besieged by foul men Oh, lend us your swords, your shields and your strength To stave off the breach of our walls This foe is too great, we cannot hold long Make haste before our kingdom falls." [Post-Chorus] "Your peril is clear," the King answers the Duke "And fairly your words do implore But why should my countrymen suffer your fate And ride off to die in your war?" [Verse 5] The King sits upon his fair throne once again Under siege is his castle so grand His crops feed his foe while his own people starve And his enemies ravage his land [Chorus] O King, if you'd joined with your kinsmen but once This day might have not come to be But your indifferent heart finds you now without friends And lays your realm naked to me! Take warning all ye who like islands would stand For when evil is laid at your doors A land without allies becomes a land lost And another man's war becomes yours