Act I, scene 1. Cedric laments the passing of Saxon England, but drinks a health to the Crusaders. Red words appear only in the printed score and not the printed libretto, both Chappell & Co., 1891.
| Cedric of Rotherwood | |
|---|---|
| Drink, drink ye all In this our ancient hall To the bold deeds of heroes long ago, To those who fight and those who fall Where battles ebb and flow! Well do I mind the day When I have seen the armies in array. And the earth shook with horsemen, and the sword Leapt from the scabbard at my armèd side, And loud the ravens cried At scent of blood. Drink to the brave, or boor, or lord! Drink to the warrior’s noble mood, The battle’s glory and the minstrel’s song! But now, ah me! Gone is the ancient fame And fair-hair’d warrior strong, The Saxon glory and the Saxon name.– |
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| Chorus | |
| Then fill the cup, fill high, Fill the cup, fill high, And drink to those who strive, and those who die, Saxon or Norman fighting for the Cross! Glory to those who fight for the true Cross! |
Fill the cup, fill high, fill the cup! |
| Maurice De Bracy | |
| Glory to those who battle for the Cross, And most to those, the bravest and the best, Wonder of land and sea, of east and west, Knights of the Holy Order of the Temple. |
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| Chorus | |
| Glory to those who battle for the Cross! Glory to those who fight or fail – Who win the prize or bear the loss! Drink hael! Was hael! Drink hael! |
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| Maurice De Bracy Brian de Bois Guilbert Chorus |
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| Fill the cup, fill high, Fill the cup, fill high, Glory to those who battle for the Cross! Glory to those who fight for the true Cross! Glory to those who fight for the true Cross! |
Glory to those who fight for the true Cross! Glory! Glory to those who fight for the true Cross! Glory to those who fight for the true Cross! |
