Battle Call by Hilla Hamasdohtor

Battle-Call

Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, loudly they blow
Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, your liege-lord has need.

The raven rides on wrathful wings--
Black wings, and beacons of baleful doom
Flash and flicker, flame on the mountains.
Hateful the howl of the hoary wolf
Feasting on friend and foe alike.

Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, loudly they blow
Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, your liege-lord has need.

Many the men in the mead-hall gather,
Called by their king, called by duty.
Word-bound brethren, bold without fear
Answer sworn oaths, all remember
To liege and lord and land their pledge.

Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, loudly they blow
Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, your liege-lord has need.

Shoulder shields now and sharpen bright blades.
Against ancient evil, iron and steel--
Helm and hauberk, hale to keep them.
Bold the banner, borne high and proud
Midrealm's Dragon, dauntless it flies.

Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, loudly they blow
Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, your liege-lord has need.

Rise now, rise up, ride to battle,
Fear no foemen, fear no evil,
Brandish fierce blades; our banner flies now.
Hear the horncall, heed its music:
Forth now, dear friends, to the field of war!

Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, loudly they blow
Hearken, now hear the horns are calling
Listen now listen, your liege-lord has need.