Breme Fell at Hastings - Show Of Hands

Afar on when we took the field

our spears like stands of pine

the battle weiry shield to shield

we vow to hold the line.

Far to the north we had put to flight

an army twice this size

but marching south 3 days and night

till we heard the Norman cries

Breme fell at hastings

and under bitter skies

pieced by the cruelest blackest reign

the heart of England lies,

the heart of England lies.

In hearth and home and family

we had welcome fires to burn

but they burnt their boats behind them

no hope of safe return.

Now beaten down and broken

we are driven from our homes

and the foreign tongue is spoken now within our Saxon walls.

Breme fell at hastings

and under bitter skies

pieced by the cruelest blackest reign

the heart of England lies,

oh the heart of England lies.

In forest taken by the crown

we hunt our game in fear,

for if we’re found they’ll ride us down

and trap like common deer.

The castle gates their lords hand down

the edict of the king.

Now in every shire and county town

in bondage now we sing.

Breme fell at hastings

and under bitter skies

pieced by the cruelest blackest reign

the heart of England lies.

Breme fell at hastings

and under bitter skies

pieced by the cruelest blackest reign

the heart of England lies,

oh the heart of England lies.

(Saxon)