Carmen Orientalis
Lyrics by Sabine de Kerbriant, Music from In Taberna from the Carmina Burana (13th Cent.)

Now the days are growing longer
Soon the war will be at hand.
From all corners of our kingdom
Rise the stalwarts of our land.
Come you shires, come you cantons
Hear the Northern warriors cry!
Come you baronies and ridings
See the Southern banners fly!

CHORUS:
Gathering for love and honor
Standing for our king and land!
Off to battle, off to splendor
Glory to our Eastern band!
Glory to our Eastern band!

Knights in armor, keeneyed archers,
Lancers fierce on horses tall.
Nimble fencers, mighty axemen,
None afraid, courageous all.
Heralds cry with ringing voices,
Marshals stand to hold the line.
Steadfast helpers bear the water,
Surgeons wait to mend and bind.
CHORUS

Needleworkers, clever craftfolk
Laboring throughout the night,
Scribes and chroniclers with quills
Make ready for the coming fight.
Ministers and loyal councillors,
Seneschals and castellans,
Widefamed peers and worthy nobles
All to battle set their hands.
CHORUS

‘Neath the Tyger passant azure
Gathers now the thronging crowd.
All disparate yet united,
Singing Eastern praises loud.
Pipes and drums now call us onward,
Trumpets sound a thunderous roar!
Music sets our feet to marching
As we make our way to War!
CHORUS

Copyright © 2004 Wendy Gale