Bardic Tales

Crusader out of Work

You've heard his story many times

And this I offer you

A slightly different version

That's in its own way true

In olden days there was a king

One Richard Lion Heart

He led his able bodied men

And got them torn apart

Of those that lived and made it home

A number were dismayed

Because an upstart younger sib

His brother did betray

Richard asked his brother John,

“Watch over my loved realm”

He didn't know he'd put a thief

At dear England's helm

The prince of opportunity

Saw the chance for wealth

He put his hand out everywhere

And saw no need for stealth

His tax collectors dug down deep

Scouring ever hovel

They put out those who couldn't pay

No matter how they'd grovel

Into this woe rode Robert Hoad

His crusade days at end

He wanted only just reward

His fields again to tend

He'd fought to free the Holy Land

Now his home lies in chains

A few get rich with what they take

Most live on what remains

His home was lost to avarice

Much in the courtly fashion

He turned to justice, not the law

To vent his righteous passion

So to the royal woods they hie

To hunt the king's own meat

They break with law to find a way

To get enough to eat

Rob Hoad's military mind

Stood him in good stead

He joined with outlawed bands of men

And soon became their head

He knew supply chain weaknesses

How enemies were harmed

He was the bane of haughty men

Had high borne ladies charmed

The songs all say he gave away

The gold he truly stole

To the needy of the land

Some justice was his goal

Scarlet Will and Little John,

His men in Lincoln green

Had songs and stories of their own

Though they're more seldom seen

Fighting men come home from war

Financial futures frayed

For the peace they've bought for us

They should be better paid

Richard Higley © Jan 2012