The War That Never Was
By Master Andrixos...
When I write a song, I start with a phrase, an idea, a theme. Then, I get a bit of a melody that works, rarely more than a full line. Then I start working on the full lyrics. Only when the lyrics are done, or at least verse and chorus, do I really start working on the melody. In this one, the opening lines of the chorus (I almost always write the chorus first.) brought to mind a vague hint of a properly mournful melody. Not enough to identify it consciously, but apparently subconsciously. I knocked out the rest of the lyrics and then sang it for Sandye McCraw. The melody wavered a bit here and there, but then solidified by the second verse. By the third verse, I realized I had filked The Burden of the Crown.
I am OK with that.
The War that Never Happened
-Andrixos Seljukroctonis, Steve Boyd
When winter flees far northward, the army’s eyes turn south
With thoughts of noble battle not far from river’s mouth
Our greatest expedition, to test our strength of arms
But who could know, we could not fight, the foe of greater harms.
The singing has grown silent, the tabards packed away
The soup pots all lie empty, no arrows fly today
Birds chirp on field of battle, instead of warlike cheer
The War that never happened brought tears to Calontir.
Our wains were all full laden, to make the Gulf Wars trip
To join with Falcon fam’ly, fine beverages to sip
We’d sing in lusty chorus, those songs we know so well
Like ancient days, great glories gain, new sagas would we tell.
But woeful news was noised about, a plague upon the land
We could not march together, too close we could not stand
Our shieldwall is much weaker with companions spread about
No shoulder touching shoulder, a way we can’t hew out.
Behold our Royal Sov’reigns Great Lucian and Tamar
A mighty host They summoned, prepared to trek so far
But when the War canceled, They led us all the same
Our spirits lift, our fears set down, They earn long lasting fame.
When pestilence has left the land and wartime comes again
When armor’s donned and ranks are filled with warlike maids and men
I’ll ask you to keep on your lips Their names so sweet to sing
Tamar Our Mighty Gracious Queen and Lucian Our King!
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