Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

New year's day,

Dawning wet on Britain's shore

King's hall roused by a pounding on the door.

A giant knight, dressed in green, never seen before

Hefts an axe and holds it high and lets a challenge roar:

'You craven men may fear dishonour, but you fear my vengeance more.'

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith

And it's doubt you gird about your waist

It's rare the man who'll hold to faith

And face me in the morning.'

Sir Gawain:

Pagan Prince of Northern Isles

Shouted, 'Shame on you Brothers, on your silence.'

Took the axe and struck his blow, brought the giant low

Raised his head and held it high and met the giant's eye

And cried, 'I'll meet your vengeance in a year and we'll see who will

die... you or I.'

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith

And it's doubt you gird about your waist

It's rare the man who'll hold to faith

And face me in the morning.'

Summmer gone

And Gawain leaves upon his quest

Five point star, a sign of faith upon his chest.

Seeks his foe, travels West, not knowing where to go

No clue until a baroness has promised aid to show

But only if he stay as guest within a vow of three days, no less.

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith

And it's doubt you gird about your waist

It's rare the man who'll hold to faith

And face me in the morning.'

She plays the maid

But vain the baroness' hope

Gawain's not swayed, another lady holds his oath.

She offers body, offers land but each advance is spurned.

She puts a belt into his hand, a gift of magic earned

By constancy in the face of all temptation, to his given word.

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith

But hope you gird about you waist

It's rare the man who'll hold to faith

And face me in the morning.'

New year's day,

Dawning wet on Britain's shore

Gawain meets the same green knight once more.

A man who laughs and gives his hand instead of charon's fee

Gawain at last perceives his God and bends a reverent knee

'Take and wear my lady's belt,' the green man gladly cries,

'And see to it you serve as well in all the paths of life.'

'Be constant and be faithful

Wear that belt for all to see

That a man came here for justice

And he left here blessed by me

Left here blessed by me

Left here blessed by me...'