We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Owen's Tail

from Out From Under The King by Blyth Power

/

about

It is comforting to know that for every square-jawed clean cut hero, there are half a score of skulking villains just waiting for an old windbag like Thomas Grey to write a verbose ballad about them.

lyrics

Owen's pressgang came for me
Hauled me from my mother's knee
Scarcely whelped and scarcely weaned
Down from the hills returning

With crows and convicts cold unkempt
Ten long weary years I spent
To all my long lost gods I sent
From Dyfeds windy marches my lament

Owen's sword is red with rust
Owen's standards grey with dust
Are Owen's prop and Owen's crutch
No thanks to his barber surgeon

Owen's quartermasters bold
Own us body sword and soul
They cut our rations steal our dole
Giving Owen ten percent of the profit in gold

Owen's praise demands my song
Owen right or Owen wrong
Owen's soldiers curse and brood
Short of money short of food
He owes them long arrears of pay
And he'd better watch his back
When we catch him off his guard someday

Owen's praise demands my song
Owen's minstrels play too long
Owen's pages pale and young
Firm of thigh and deft of tongue
Omens show that come what may
He'd better watch his back
When we catch him off his guard someday

Owen's wife the soldiers sing
Fair of grace and lewd of wink
Will oft by night to the sentries slink
Down by the campfires burning

Stealthy now to the guardhouse creeps
While Owen's drunk and Owen sleeps
Shakes the cup with practiced ease
To dice till dawn and the grumbling watchmen fleeced

Owen's praise demands my song
Owen swift and Owen strong
Owen vain and Owen proud
Owen's laughter shrill and loud
Owen's dues in time we'll pay
And he'd better watch his back
When we catch him off his guard someday

credits

from Out From Under The King, released May 5, 1996
Song by Joseph Porter
Arrnaged by Blyth Power

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Blyth Power UK

Since 1984 Blyth Power have been playing and recording original music, which although regarded by many as fitting into the folk rock catergory goes so much further. Based around the lyrics of songwriter Joseph Porter, the band's sound is unique, and there is an atmosphere to Blyth Power that adds a depth to the music, and makes them more than just another pop group. ... more

contact / help

Contact Blyth Power

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Blyth Power, you may also like: