W 20 Song of the Shield-Wall 
                              Words by Lady Malkin Grey, 
                              Music by Lady Peregrynne Windrider
Note: Huscarls are Saxon Axe-men, guards of the King, and a 
fighting Order of Calontir. 

Hasten, oh sea-steed, over the swan-road, 
Foamy-necked ship o'er the froth of the sea, 
Hengest has called us from Gotland and Frisia 
To Vortigern's country his army to be 
We'll take our pay there in sweeter than silver; 
We'll take our plunder in richer than gold, 
For Hengest has promised us land for the fighting 
Land for the sons of the Saxons to hold! 

Hasten, oh fyrdsmen, down to the river 
The dragonships come on the in-flowing tide 
The linden-wood shield and the old spear of ash-wood 
Are needed again by the cold water-side 
Draw up the shield-wall, oh shoulder companions 
Later whenever our story is told 
They'll say that we died guarding what we call dearest, 
Land that the sons of the Saxons will hold! 

Hasten, oh Huscarls, north to the Dane-Law 
Harold Hardrada's come over the sea 
His longships he's laden with berserks from Norway 
To gain Cnut's crown and our master to be 
Bitter he'll find there the bite of our spear points 
Hard-running Northmen too strong to die old 
We'll grant him six feet, plus as much as he's taller 
Of land that the sons of the Saxons will hold! 

Make haste, son of Godwin, southward from Stamford 
Triumph is 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 hilltop at Hastings 
Fight 'til the sun drops and evening grows cold 
And die with the last of your Saxons around you 
Holding the land we were given to hold! 

Optional: repeat first verse.

Performer(s) Arnolt Brekeswerd,
                       Sine Peregrina