When The Oak Fell

ancient funeral ballad, royal lament, mythic folk requiem

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V5.5

[Verse 1]

The spring came softly into London,
Yet the bells were slow and low.
For the wolf who held the storm at bay
Had nowhere left to go.

Edward lay with winter on him,
Silver threading through his hair.
And all who knew the weight he carried
Felt the hollow in the air.

[Verse 2]

For a Velor is not merely ruler,
Not a sword and not a crown.
He is the wall against the darkness,
And the hand that won't lay down.

He remembers every frightened face,
Every child and every door.
And a kingdom scarcely knows his worth
Till he walks the earth no more.

[Chorus]

Oh, mourn the falling oak tree,
Mourn the guard beside the flame.
Mourn the shoulders broad as summer,
Mourn the heart that bore our names.

For kingdoms break in little pieces
When a great Velor departs.
Not because he held the scepter,
But because he held our hearts.

[Verse 3]

Richard tried.

The song remembers.

Tried with all the strength he knew.
But it is hard to wear a Thalen's mantle
When the storm has broken through.

For a Thalen keeps the balance,
Counts the grain and knows the cost,
Finds tomorrow in the ashes,
Makes a road when all seems lost.

Yet wisdom cannot still all grieving,
Nor can careful hands restore
The simple peace of sleeping soundly
When the great guard keeps the door.

[Verse 4]

And there was one who mourned in silence,
One whose tears the songs forget.
Elizabeth, fair York's own daughter,
Young and moonlit, grieving yet.

For a Luna feels the fractures
Others do not sense or see.
She could feel the kingdom changing
Like the turning of the sea.

She had known her father's laughter,
Known the safety of his hand.
And no child, however cherished,
Can be ready for that end.

[Bridge]

The old songs say the Moon came walking
To the chamber where he lay.
Not to take him, not to judge him,
Only guide him on his way.

And the great wolf, weary-hearted,
Looked once more toward hearth and kin.
Then he laid his burden down at last
And let the quiet in.

[Final Chorus]

Oh, mourn the falling oak tree,
Mourn the guard beside the flame.
Yet remember every shelter
And every child who knew his name.

For the measure of a Velor
Is not battle, gold, or fame.
It is how many souls walk safely
Because once he bore their pain.

And when the Moon calls home her children,
When the long watch reaches end,
May we say:

Here lies a Heart-Guard.

Here lies one who loved to the end.

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[Verse 1] The spring came softly into London, Yet the bells were slow and low. For the wolf who held the storm at bay Had nowhere left to go. Edward lay with winter on him, Silver threading through his hair. And all who knew the weight he carried Felt the hollow in the air. [Verse 2] For a Velor is not merely ruler, Not a sword and not a crown. He is the wall against the darkness, And the hand that won't lay down. He remembers every frightened face, Every child and every door. And a kingdom scarcely knows his worth Till he walks the earth no more. [Chorus] Oh, mourn the falling oak tree, Mourn the guard beside the flame. Mourn the shoulders broad as summer, Mourn the heart that bore our names. For kingdoms break in little pieces When a great Velor departs. Not because he held the scepter, But because he held our hearts. [Verse 3] Richard tried. The song remembers. Tried with all the strength he knew. But it is hard to wear a Thalen's mantle When the storm has broken through. For a Thalen keeps the balance, Counts the grain and knows the cost, Finds tomorrow in the ashes, Makes a road when all seems lost. Yet wisdom cannot still all grieving, Nor can careful hands restore The simple peace of sleeping soundly When the great guard keeps the door. [Verse 4] And there was one who mourned in silence, One whose tears the songs forget. Elizabeth, fair York's own daughter, Young and moonlit, grieving yet. For a Luna feels the fractures Others do not sense or see. She could feel the kingdom changing Like the turning of the sea. She had known her father's laughter, Known the safety of his hand. And no child, however cherished, Can be ready for that end. [Bridge] The old songs say the Moon came walking To the chamber where he lay. Not to take him, not to judge him, Only guide him on his way. And the great wolf, weary-hearted, Looked once more toward hearth and kin. Then he laid his burden down at last And let the quiet in. [Final Chorus] Oh, mourn the falling oak tree, Mourn the guard beside the flame. Yet remember every shelter And every child who knew his name. For the measure of a Velor Is not battle, gold, or fame. It is how many souls walk safely Because once he bore their pain. And when the Moon calls home her children, When the long watch reaches end, May we say: Here lies a Heart-Guard. Here lies one who loved to the end.

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