The Bowman’s Song

From “The White Company” WHAT of the bow? The bow was made in England: Of true wood, of yew wood, The wood of English bows; So men who are free Love the old yew-tree And the land where the yew-tree grows. What of the cord? The cord was made in England: A rough cord, a tough cord, A cord that bowmen love; So we ’ll drain our jacks To the English flax And the land where the hemp was wove. What of the shaft? The shaft was cut in England: A long shaft, a strong shaft, Barbed and trim and true; So we ’ll drink all together To the gray goose feather, And the land where the gray goose flew. What of the men? The men were bred in England: The bowman—the yeoman— The lads of dale and fell. Here ’s to you—and to you! To the hearts that are true And the land where the true hearts dwell.