The Brave and Bonny Host

The Brave and Bonny Host

Words and music by Roger the Goliard

Oh, see how the mist lies over the field;
The morning of battle has come.
Soft in the glen there's the muffled sound of men,
And the murmur of a battle drum.

Now the light of the sun spreads over the hill;
It scatters the mist from the green,
And there in the clear come the warriors of An Tir --
Their black and gold banner can be seen,

Chorus:

Fill our cups with ale or wine or beer,

We will stand together never fear;

And we'll drink down a toast

To the brave and bonny host

That fights for the banner of An Tir.

Oh, see them advance as a wall of steel,
Each man with his sword and his shield;
Now they charge with a cheer, for the honour of An Tir,
To win or to die upon the field.

Chorus

By many a fire there's a lady fair,
Who waits for her love to return;
Her needle's in her threads, or she's baking of the breads,
And dreaming of the touch for which she yearns.

Chorus

To the crest of the hill fight the brave and the bold,
Where the slain thickly lie on the field;
Now alone in the clear stand the warriors of An Tir,
And the foeman at last is forced to yield.

Chorus

Oh, strike up your lute, all ye minstrels,
Whose skill is renowned far and wide;
Come tell us again of the mighty band of men,
Who carried the battle for our side.

Chorus

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Background Information to The Brave and Bonny Host
Song Written by Roger the Goliard
Background by Countess Melissa Kendal of Westmoreland

Foreword by Mistress Elizabeth Braidwood: The Brave and Bonnie Host is An Tir's anthem. It is most often sung during the Investiture of the Lists at every Crown Tourney as the combatants and their consorts are introduced to the Crown. Recently, it was sung at the conclusion of the Coronation Ceremony of Their Majesties, Thorin and Sineidin, and every voice in the entire hall took part. I've also heard it sung around bardic fires, on trips to wars, and at the Twentieth Year Celebration as King Arthur and Queen Melissa processed in to the Grand Court.

Regarding The Brave and Bonny Host - Master Roger wrote the song on the way to the Myrganwoode War which happened while [An Tir was still a principality of the West Kindom and] Steingrim was King of the West. On the way home, Master Roger refined it (that's why Mistress Maelen of Catcott still has problems with the words - she learned it at the war).

The occasion which most vividly sticks out in my mind in which Master Roger sang Brave and Bonny Host, is at the first Twelfth Night Coronation of the Kingdom of An Tir. We had just seen our first King and Queen crowned and Master Roger struck up Brave and Bonny Host while standing on a small balcony overlooking the entire room from behind and above the Thrones.

Master Roger even repeated a verse but we followed him right along. Elvina Effynewoode's sister, Caroline, was attending her first event or so; and she had been hearing about the Society for years but during those moments was the first time she truly understood. We were all so completely proud to be An Tirian.

Incidentally, His [then current] Royal Majesty Thorin, was Champion of An Tir during that time.

Countess Melissa Kendal of Westmoreland