I was late getting to Atlanta in part because I stopped at a rest stop to write a song. I was afraid I would forget it if I didn't write it down, and it was finally working.
I'm going to write it here to be sure I don't lose it.
Oak And Ash And Rowan And Thorn
lyrics and melody by Catherine Faber, 2011
[later edit]
mp3 available here; thank you to the Atlanta Housefilk 3/12/2011 for backup vocals [/later edit]
Oak and ash to brace and bind,
Rowan and thorn to ward and wind,
On the burden I had from you,
A key that knows what it's meant to do,
Rose and bramble are intertwined.
Oak and ash to hold the field,
Rowan and thorn to shape and shield,
To catch your killer would mean a fight
There's a reason you bound a knight.
I may lose, but I never yield.
Oak and ash to front the fray
Rowan and thorn to mark the way.
Just how long is your curse's chain?
Who am I, I should hold domain,
Liege to shelter the least of Fae?
Oak and ash and bone and dust,
Rowan and thorn and faith and trust
Before your eyes were closed for good,
I never realized you understood--
The one who can is the one who must.