Vigil Song
Music & Lyrics: Lorelei Skye
With special thanks to Dahrien Cordell & Lucia Elena Braganza
(A song inspired by the SCA)
=============================
A scribe stands vigil with every scroll;
from AOA to peerage roll.
Brush, paint, and pen; time and toil –
breathing life to words, color, and foil
When Noble seals, Heralds can call down the Name
Scribes gift their art, to others time and again
One day, to me, scribe gave bardic ring
Passed on these words, in my heart still sing:
.
Chorus:
The award’s not what put the skill in your hand
A bird is not willing or giving
Gold chain not the courage with others to stand
Green wreath not the knowledge for teaching
No scrolls for all the small deeds unknown
No crowns for all nobility shown
If you take these away, yet what will remain-
Are the skill, service, strength, and the learning
.
By brush in the hand, a Pelican born
To words on the page, a Knight becomes sworn
The art is midwife to Laurel crowned
Grants, Augments; A Legacy’s passed down
There's beaming smiles,
joyful tears for one's Arms
Children solemn, bowing, when called before Crowns
The award’s not for just what came before
As much as the hope that all will see more
.
Chorus
.
All service is welcome e’en when it’s unseen
Picking up trash, make vegetables clean
The fight is best won, with blows taken and thrown
Crown’s honor upheld, chivalry’s shown
The creative and inquisitive build diverse dreams
Inspiring the next to surpass where they have been
“The times best remembered”,
my scribe friend will say
"Is when our greatest within’s freely given away”
.
Chorus
.
Awards do not come from searching or quests
but when others recall you gave of your best
If someone inspires, with their skill, gave their all
raise up names, so the Heralds may call
When you remember, helps to build up the dream-
Seen in their face when they are brought to receive
That token of thanks, of praise, or renown
Signed, sealed, and delivered by hands of their Crown
.
Chorus
.
We serve for each other, encourage, make bold
If you never heard thanks,
would that keep you home?
No spurs confer honor to fight in the ring
No token skills to sew, dance, or sing
The gifts you have, talents you nurture and hold
They’re yours to keep no matter what future may hold
If you sit some day on a vigil day morn
Remember scribe’s words as the oaths they are sworn:
.
Final Chorus:
The award’s not what put the skill in your hand
A bird is not willing or giving
Gold chain not the courage with others to stand
Green wreath not the knowledge for teaching
No scrolls for all the small deeds unknown
No crowns for all nobility shown
If you take these away, yet what will remains?
Are the skill, service, strength, and the learning
.
Are the skill, service, strength, and the learning
.
=============================================
Lyrics & Music Started 2009, Finished 2011, C. Coate
Album: Rosaleen Dhu: Bardic Fires, © 2012
Dedicted to: THL Lucia Elena Braganza, Master Christian D'Hiver, Master Dahrien Cordell, and Mistress Sofia 'Zsof' Tyzes