Come Hoist Your Banner High (Caidan War Ballad)

The following is a war ballad for the army of Caid. Set to a tune dating at least to the 17th century that was used for such ballads as “The Digger’s Song,” “Sam Hall,” and “Captain Kidd,” “Come Hoist Your Banner High” is my first attempt at writing a ballad. This is being published on February 1, Anno Societatis 50 (2016); additional verses will be called out.


Come Hoist Your Banner High

Come hoist your banner high, for Caid, for Caid,
Come hoist your banner high, for Caid.
Come stand against the foe
Advancing row on row,
With halberd, blade and bow,
We shall send them down below for Caid, for Caid!
You swordsmen clash your steel for Caid, for Caid,
You swordsmen clash your steel for Caid.
The en’my are all round,
So make a mighty sound,
No quarter shall be found
And we’ll yield to them no ground of Caid, of Caid!
Now archers, draw your bows, for Caid, for Caid,
Now archers draw your bows for Caid.
Release your arrows high
To blacken out the sky,
The enemy will die
Or back to their homes will fly from Caid, from Caid!
Come pikemen and come spears for Caid, for Caid,
Come pikemen and come spears for Caid.
Invaders are ahead,
By tyrants they are led.
Come fill their souls with dread;
Crows and ravens are well-fed in Caid, in Caid!
With lances and with shields for Caid, for Caid,
With lances and with shields for Caid,
Now set your spurs and lay,
Into the bloody fray,
The foes will run away,
And we all shall win the day for Caid, for Caid!
(Repeat first verse)

The melody can be heard here: