All That Survives
melody and lyrics copyright © 2010 Ernest Clark

See the foe upon the field
Will they grind our wall like wheat?
Who will crack to flour yield?
Who will eat the bread?
    Bravely stand, defend your land,
    Flee and we forget your name.
    In the crush unyielding stand,
    Harder be than stone.
       CH:	All in this shieldwall will one day be dead.
		Some die in battle, and some die in bed.
		All who bear witness will follow to the grave.
		All that survives is the story of the brave.

Parents die and children grow;
Youthful vigor leaks away;
All you build to dust will go;
Glory is forever.
    Hero in the loom of Fate,
    Is your thread a brilliant gold?
    Is it drab and dull as slate?
    Does it even show?    CH.

See the choice approaching you:
Back or breast to foe present.
Coward false or hero true,
Grasp what you deserve.
    Now they come, attend your task.
    Note your neighbor's bravery.
    After war the widows ask:
    Tell me how he died.      CH.