The Ash Grove


to the tune of "The Ash Grove"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2szZILN6G0

 

If ever you wander out by the Welsh border

Come stop by and see me and all of my kin

I'm Morgan ap Daffyd ap Gwion ap Hywell

Ap Ifor ap Madoc ap Rhodri ap Gwyn

 

 We'll feast you on mutton and harp for your pleasure

 And give you a place to sleep out of the cold

 Or maybe we'll meet you out on the dark roadway

 And rob you of horses and weapons and gold

 

My neighbor from England has come across raiding

Slain six of my kinsmen and burned down my hall

It cannot be borne this offense and injustice

I've only killed four of his, last I recall

 

 I'll send for my neighbors, Llewellyn and Owain

 We'll cut him down as for the border he rides

 But yesterday Owain stole three of my cattle

 And first I'll retake them and three more besides

 

We need a strong prince to direct our resistance

Heroic, impartial, of noble degree

My brother's wife's fourth cousin's foster-son, Gruffydd

Is best for the job as I'm sure you'll agree

 

 What matter that Rhys is the old prince's nephew

 He's exiled to Ireland and will not return

 I know this for every time boats he is building

 I send my spies money to see that they burn

 

Last evening my brother and I were at war

Over two feet of land on a boundary we share

But early this morning, I hear he's been murdered

I'll not rest until I avenge him, I swear

 

 Yes, we are just plain folk who mind our own business

 Honest and loyal and full of good cheer

 So if you should wander our by the Welsh border

 Come stop by and meet all the friendly folk here