Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Bridge of Bards... or at least one bard.

The bridge battles this year were each 15 minutes long. At 15 minutes they were "capped"... whoever was on the bridge fought it out to the last man. At 15, they called a hold, then had each bridge fight. During one such, while we were waiting to fight, I got bored. To keep myself from my default activity when I am bored (breaking things) I began to sing. I had "Song of the Shield Wall" going through my head, and so I just let go and starting to sing.
I finished the first verse, and started the second. As I finished "Hasten oh fyrdmen, down to the river", I hear someone else kick in... "Dragon ships come on the in flowing tide".
I look around, and see it is one of my opponents, also singing. I loved it. Big grin on his face, and mine too. The hold was still on, so I walked across, and we sang the song together. A couple of others joined in, and it was just a perfect moment.
I heard in the background the marshals, calling for people to get ready. I took my place in the wall, axe upraised, and right after we sang "We'll grant him six feet - - plus as much as he's taller, Of land that the sons of the Saxons will hold!", the lay on was called, and the axe went back to work.
After the fight was over (we won), I went over to where my opponents were resting. One of them, a knight in a Trimaran tabard, saw me coming, and pointed to a man resting on the ground. I walked up to him, and he smiled, introducing himself as (IIRC) Corwin the Bard. I thanked him for helping that moment on the bridge be a great one... one of those memories that would last forever. He returned the thanks, and I told him wait... we're not done. He looked at me strangely, and I pointed out... we still had one more verse. He smiled... and we sang...
Make haste, son of Godwin, southward from Stamford,
Victory's sweet and your men have fought hard,
But William the Bastard has landed at Pevensey,
Burning the land you have promised to guard.
Draw up the spears on the hill-top at Hastings,
Fight till the sun drops and evening grows cold,
And die with the last of your Saxons around you,
Holding the land you were given to hold!

Amazing moments that make Pennsic, and our Society, so friggin great.

I want to thank Aneleda Falconbridge, our Battle Bard. Your song... you know the one... and your singing has inspired me to sing in the Society... not as a performer, but when I feel the urge, be it in battle or by a campfire.
All the poor bastards who have to listen to me may not thank you... but I do. :)

2 comments:

  1. I am honored to be the first to comment on this! WOW! This story like so many others tells me of the Camaraderie and friendship that happens in the Society.

    Though I am not yet an active part, I hope to be soon enough. Having the Real-Life Profession of Lyricist/author/bard/poet, I hope I have the "Metal" (and I know the saying is with the other word) to stand up for myself and my Kingdom in the SCA.

    That men can live in song while blades dance and arrows glide teaches us all that there is a wonder to this Society, God Bless It!

    I look forward to more Stories, and would be honored to dialogue with the man who took the bridge at Pennsic!

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