Der Pakt am Weidensteg

[Intro – flute arpeggio, vielle drone, no vocals] [Verse 1 – male bard tenor solo, close and warm] Am Weidensteg beim dritten Pfahl, lag Nebel schwer wie kalter Stahl. Ein Flüstern kroch aus Schilf und Grund, ein alter Schwur lag offen, wund. Ein Haarband, nass, am Holz verknotet, erzählt von Treue, längst zerbrochen. [Pre-Chorus – hurdy-gurdy drone adds, soft frame-drum pulse] Ich setz das Lied wie Fackelschein und führ die Angst am Ufer heim. [Chorus – bard with mixed choir support, hymnal and bold] Tragt sein Lied durch Rauch und Regen, weißer Wolf auf dunklen Wegen. Hütet, was der Flussgeist nahm, bis der Stahl den Fluch zerschneidet. Tragt sein Lied, damit ihr seht, wo der Pakt steht, haltet fest. [Verse 2 – bard lead, hammered-dulcimer sparkles, tighter groove] Er trat hinan, die Klinge still, sprach leise, was der Flussgeist will: „Gib frei, was nicht ins Wasser gehört, lass los die Namen, ungestört.“ Der Strom hielt an, die Weide sang, langsam wich der alte Zwang. [Pre-Chorus – same lift, slightly stronger drum accents] Das Ufer atmet, kalt und weit, das Lied bewacht die alte Zeit. [Bridge – strings swell, subtle choir pad, rising tension] Wenn Schwüre faulten, Jahr um Jahr, bleibt einer wach, der Hüter war. Er zählt die Wellen, Nacht um Nacht, bis selbst der Fluch die Klinge scheut. [Final Chorus – bard with full choir support, strong cadence] Tragt sein Lied durch Rauch und Regen, weißer Wolf auf dunklen Wegen. Hütet, was der Flussgeist nahm, bis der Stahl den Fluch zerschneidet. Tragt sein Lied, bis Morgen graut, wo der Pakt fiel, wächst neuer Mut. [Outro – lute only, gentle ritardando, fade] ---- TRANSLATION ---- [Intro – flute arpeggio, vielle drone, no vocals] [Verse 1 – male bard tenor solo, close and warm] By the willow footbridge, at the third old post, the fog lay heavy, cold as steel in frost. A whisper crept from reed and riverbed, an ancient oath lay open, bruised and bled. A hair ribbon, wet, knotted tight to wood, tells of a loyalty long since undone. [Pre-Chorus – hurdy-gurdy drone adds, soft frame-drum pulse] I set this song like torchlight’s gleam and lead the fear back up the stream. [Chorus – bard with mixed choir support, hymnal and bold] Carry his song through smoke and rain, white wolf on darkened lanes. Guard what the river spirit took, until the steel cuts through the curse. Carry his song so you can see where the pact still stands — hold fast. [Verse 2 – bard lead, hammered-dulcimer sparkles, tighter groove] He stepped up, blade held still and straight, spoke softly what the river spirit waits: “Set free what never should be drowned, release the names — let them be unbound.” The current stilled, the willow sang, and slowly slipped the ancient chain. [Pre-Chorus – same lift, slightly stronger drum accents] The bank draws breath, so cold, so wide, the song keeps watch on older tides. [Bridge – strings swell, subtle choir pad, rising tension] When oaths have rotted year by year, one stays awake — the keeper here. He counts the waves, night after night, till even curses fear the blade’s cold bite. [Final Chorus – bard with full choir support, strong cadence] Carry his song through smoke and rain, white wolf on darkened lanes. Guard what the river spirit took, until the steel cuts through the curse. Carry his song till morning grays, where the pact fell, new courage wakes. [Outro – lute only, gentle ritardando, fade]