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Gawain's Leavetaking

from Root, Seed, Thorn and Flower by Anne Lister

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Title and lyrics courtesy of J R R Tolkien, found in his edition (I think) of "Pearl". He modernised a very old poem, so I've put a melody to it.

lyrics

Now lords and ladies, blithe and bold, to bless you all here now am I bound
I thank you all a thousand fold and pray God save you whole and sound
Where’er you go on grass or ground, may He you guide that nought you grieve
For friendship here that I have found, against my will I take my leave.

For friendship and for favours good, for meat and drink you heaped on me
The Lord that raised was on the rood now keep you comely company
On sea or land where’er you be, may He you guide that nought you grieve
Such fair delightyou laid on me, against my will I take my leave.

Against my will although I went, I may not always tarry here
For everything must have an end and even friends must part I fear
Be we beloved however dear, out of this world death us will reave
And when we brought are to our bier against our will we take our leave.

Now good day to you, goodmen all, and good day to you, young and old
And good day to you, great and small, and grammercy a thousand fold.
If ought there were that dear you hold, full fain I would that deed achieve
Now Christ you keep from sorrows cold, for now at last I take my leave.

credits

from Root, Seed, Thorn and Flower, released April 29, 2022
Steafan Hannigan - bodhran
Mike O'Connor - fiddle

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Anne Lister Wales, UK

Anne is best known for her song "Icarus", recorded and performed by a number of different singers, including Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "Astrolabe" is her ninth solo album.

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