Inspired by George Mackay Brown's experimental novel, "Magnus," and by the historical record as recorded in the Orkneying Sagas. DADGAD tuning as I sought the Scottish northern island vibe.
lyrics
The Martyrdom of St. Magnus (March 2, 2022; DADGAD)
Magnus and Hakon were cousins, both sired by noble lords
They grew up with power and privilege, as such a life affords
They ruled a kingdom divided, an Orkney with two Earls
And as is common in such times, the flag of war unfurls.
Nine years of peace were thrown away, and warlords tramped each road
Rape and ruin, theft and fire, it all had been foretold
The blood and waste grew sickening, the chieftains cried “no more!”
A peace must come, these islands cannot thrive while there is war.
The talks would be on Egilsay, a neutral, barren isle, each Earl with two ships
A journey easy, across calm seas with gentle winds, and lacking tidal rips
But as Magnus crossed with his two ships, a giant wave appeared
And in this wave he saw an omen of his fate as toward his ship it neared
Then when his unarmed vessels reached the shore, he went to kneed and pray
At the humble Kirk on Egilsay, since it now was Easter Day.
On Easter Monday the next morn, the eastern glow revealed
The Earl Hakon, with eight armed ships, and the fate of Magnus sealed
The chieftains were now tired of words, there would be no more talk
From Egilsay this crimson day only one Earl would walk.
(Strum and hold chords)
The sagas tell how Magnus blessed the man who did his slaughter
He breathed his last on Egilsay, leaving neither son nor daughter
Hakon buried him where he fell, upon the barren hillside
The peace secured, ten ships departed neatly on the tide
But then wondrous things presented, after the martyr’s death, his brown grave turned verdant green
And when buried again on Birsay, they say a mystic evening light was seen
Not a generation later, the Orkney bishop did decree
The slain Earl was now St. Magnus, whose blood was offered free
His cathedral now in Kirkwall still holds his shattered bones
A relic, timeless, but made of time, for Orkney sin atones
I no longer trade time for money, so I'm a lucky guy. Songwriter, music collector (at a pathological level); supporter of independent artists of all stripes. Open mic enthusiast, international traveler every chance I get. Forward in All Directions!
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