The Peasant Knight

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[Verse]
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A young boy high on the battlements stood as he swept up the cold grey stones
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And he gazed with delight at the lists, where the banners flew
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The knights in bright armour were jousting there on their steeds of dapple and roan
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And the archers drew up their longbows made of yew.


[Chorus]
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Oh I have the heart of a warrior!
                      C            Bb              A
And although I am low-born, I hope one day I’ll be sworn
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To be a knight, so I can fight to serve my lord.


[Verse]
    Dm                       C                    Bb          A
The years passed by, and the steward’s son grew into a comely youth
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He was strong of arm, and as fair as a summer sky
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But the o’er proud knight took no notice of him, save occasional sharp reproof
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Yet undaunted were his dreams of glory high.


[Chorus]
   Dm         Bb         C    Dm
Oh I have the heart of a warrior!
                       C             Bb               A
And although I be base-born, still I hope one day I’m sworn
        Dm                    C                 Dm
To be a knight, and pledge my might to king and lord


[Verse]
    Dm                         C          Bb                A
The knight was summoned by his Majesty to war in a distant land
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On crusade, where honor and glory could be won.
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He journeyed forth on his battle steed, with his great sword at his hand
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In his retinue of men, was the steward’s son


[Chorus]
   Dm         Bb         C    Dm
Oh I have the heart of a warrior!
                        C            Bb        (Gm)    A
And full glad am I this morn, at his side, for I have sworn
            Dm                C                   Dm
To serve my knight, so he may fight for his liege lord

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The battle fierce around them raged, and the press of men was hard;
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The knight grew faint of heart, and fain would flee.
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But as he turned his steed, he found the path       away was barred,
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And he fell from top his horse most cowardly.


[Chorus]
    Dm             Bb         C    Dm
For he had not the heart of a warrior,
                         C              Bb     (Gm)    A
And although he was high-born, yet that day he had forsworn
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To be a knight, denied his vow to King and lord


[Verse]
    Dm                      C                 Bb             A
The steward’s son leaped into the fray, armed only with his knife
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And defiant stood ‘tween his master and his foes.
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"Oh God above, unto you I pray, to protect my noble‘s life,
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And to give me strength to withstand these many blows."


[Chorus]
    Dm         Bb         C    Dm
For I have the heart of a warrior!
                       C                 Bb          A
And no matter I’m base born, for on this day I have sworn
            Dm                 C                Dm
To play the knight, and I must fight to save my lord.


[Verse]
    Dm                   C                     Bb                A
The King rode out at the break of day, and his heart was full of woe,
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For His comrades dead, `tho a victory great was won.
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He found the knight unharmed, within a circle of slain foes
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And cradled in his arms, was the steward’s son.


[Chorus]
    Dm         Bb         C    Dm
"Oh he has the heart of a warrior!
       (F)              C              Bb               A
And although he is base born, yet this day I’d have him sworn
        Dm                   C               Dm
To be a knight, for he would die to save his lord."


[Verse]
    Dm               C                 Bb                    A
The King dubbed him upon the field, "Arise, Sir Knight" said he
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But the lad could not obey the King’s command
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And with his dying breath he gave his oath of fealty
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And he held the sword with the last touch of his hand


[Chorus]
    Dm         Bb         C    Dm
For he had the heart of a warrior!
                     C               Bb               A
But for men of women born, comes the day the soul has sworn
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To take to flight, and dwell in sight of Heaven’s lord.


[Verse]
     Dm               C                         Bb                    A
They bore him aloft upon their shields with the knight’s sword by his side
         Dm                  C               A
And they buried him with the honours due his life.
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And evermore did the humbled knight, in a golden burnished sheath
      Dm               C              Dm
Carry on his belt that old and rusted knife.


[Chorus]
    Dm         Bb           C   Dm
May you have the heart of a warrior!
                         C                 Bb           A
And no matter how you’re born, for on this day you have sworn
        Dm                  C                   E
To be a knight, with honour bright for King and lord


[Tag]
    Dm              C         Bb                   A
For today you are reborn as a knight, and you have worn
           Dm                 C (or Am)         Dm
the golden chain, the belt of white, and silver sword.