King Gwyddno's Lament
Words and Music by Beth Wheeler
Based on the Welsh legend of the drowned cantrev
1993
G D G C
Hold back the ocean, hold back the sea
G D7 G
Hold back the whitecaps which fight to break free
G D Em C
Build up the sea walls, build them up high
G D G
Keep all the lowlands protected and dry
Em D Em A
These walls are our fortress against nature's siege
Em A D
For our homes and our lives, we must tend them and keep them
G D Em C
Hold back the ocean, if mortals can
G D G
Hold to our homes, and our lives, and our land
G D G C
Find me a guardian to watch o'er the wall
G D7 G
Find me a keeper to answer my call
G D Em C
Choose me a brave man, choose me a true
Em D G
Choose me a man who will watch the night through
Em D Dm A
When the feasting is done, then the false guardian sleeps
Em Am D
With a tankard in hand, and a smile so peaceful
Em D Em Am
Wake up the lowlands, sound the alarm!
Em D B7 Em
Keep all my people in safety from harm
Em D Em Am
See the clouds gather, hear the storm break
Em D B7 Em
Watch for the walls to tremble and quake
Em D Em Am
Flee from the ocean, fly to the hills
Em D B7 Em
As the walls shatter, as cruel sea spills
Em D Em A
Now my people are exiled, or scattered afar
Em A D
And the whole of my land is a single salmon weir
G D Em C
Weep for the drowned land, never to rise
G D B7 Em
Weep for our homeland which under the sea lies
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