We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Sword and Scabbard

from Root, Seed, Thorn and Flower by Anne Lister

/

about

Again, from my play "The Holding Power", about Morgan le Fay. The "I" is Morgan.

lyrics

I sent the king a puzzle, Merlin did the same
See the king of England try to win the enchanted game
There’s a sword and a scabbard – which one will you choose?
Kings must fight battles – they can’t afford to lose.

The sword or the scabbard, the fabric or the steel
See the king lie wriggling like a fish against the reel
The sword or the scabbard, the knife edge or the sheath
See the king debating to kiss or bare his teeth.

The sword kills all before it, the scabbard saves and heals
Fighting men leave deserts, the women bind and seal
The holding power is greatest though the cutting power leaves scars
It takes a man with vision to look ahead so far.

Merlin on the roadside, the lady in the lake
Morgause in your bedroom, dragons before you wake
Look beyond the surface, look hard at the clues
The sword or the scabbard – which one will you choose?

credits

from Root, Seed, Thorn and Flower, released April 29, 2022

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

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.

contact / help

Contact Anne Lister

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Anne Lister, you may also like: