Gwyneth’s Song
| Wyndreth Berginsdottir |
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For Gwyneth Star-heart.
Tune: Alas Grioghal Lyrics c. 1996 K. Kahan He offered you a burden both cumbersome and dear, and with your grace, and your strength and your light, you carried us to here. Your smile inspires the weary; your voice makes warriors sing. For this long year, you gave us your life; Now I wish you this one thing: Oh, let the road be kind to Gwyneth in the shoes her true love made, for you have woven light out of dark in this brave new star you’ve made. Now see the Griffins mustered beneath the Compass Star, wove tight with strands that you set by your hands and bound up with your heart. Oh, let the road be kind to Gwyneth in the shoes her true love made, for you have woven light out of dark in this brave new star you’ve made. So when your head is weary and the night, too dark to see, look to the North for that bright shining light you showed us how to be. Oh, let the road be kind to Gwyneth in the shoes her true love made, for you have woven light out of dark in this brave new star you’ve made. Wyndreth's note--Gwyneth Felton was the first princess of the Principality of Northshield, and I will always believe that much of what is good and noble in this now-kingdom is founded in the example she lived. Her reign with Prince Dafydd ap Gwalchmai (her lordhusband and a fine shoemaker and an amazing prince) was a long one--a full year from Investiture to stepping down from the Thrones. And they worked hard that entire year to build a foundation upon which to build a mighty nation. It must have cost them incredibly; they surely suffered like Prometheus for bringing us such an exemplary, amazing fire--but they brought it anyway, and lit it, and showed us how to keep it burning. When I think of selfless grace and strength, I think of them both. And I remember Gwyneth walking at Pennsic, weary, footsore, but gracious and awed at what was taking place around her as she tended to yet another matter requiring her presence. I still have no words adequate to express my respect, admiration, and genuine affection for her--but this song was my first attempt to try. |
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