Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Heather Dale Lyrics

New year's day, Dawning wet on Britain's shore King's hall roused by a pounding on the door. A giant knight, dressed in green, never seen before Hefts an axe and holds it high and lets a challenge roar: 'You craven men may fear dishonour, but you fear my vengeance more.'
On a rainy New Year's Day, a giant knight dressed in green arrives at the king's hall and challenges the men inside. He taunts them, saying that they may fear dishonour but they will fear his vengeance even more.

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith And it's doubt you gird about your waist It's rare the man who'll hold to faith And face me in the morning.'
The giant knight points out that the men are afraid and have doubts, and that it's rare for anyone to have faith and face him in a fair fight.

Sir Gawain: Pagan Prince of Northern Isles Shouted, 'Shame on you Brothers, on your silence.' Took the axe and struck his blow, brought the giant low Raised his head and held it high and met the giant's eye And cried, 'I'll meet your vengeance in a year and we'll see who will die...you or I.'
Sir Gawain speaks out against his fellow men for their cowardice, takes the giant's axe and strikes him down. He bravely challenges the giant, saying he'll take the same blow in a year to see who will die, him or the giant.

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith And it's doubt you gird about your waist It's rare the man who'll hold to faith And face me in the morning.'
Again, the giant reminds Gawain that doubt and fear run deep in men, and that he's rare for having faith and facing him in a fair fight.

Summmer gone And Gawain leaves upon his quest Five point star, a sign of faith upon his chest. Seeks his foe, travels West, not knowing where to go No clue until a baroness has promised aid to show But only if he stay as guest within a vow of three days, no less.
Summer has passed and Gawain sets out on his quest, wearing a five-pointed star as a symbol of his faith. He searches for his foe, traveling West without knowing where to go. A baroness offers to help him, but only if he stays with her for three days as her guest.

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith And it's doubt you gird about your waist It's rare the man who'll hold to faith And face me in the morning.'
Once again, the giant's voice echoes in Gawain's head, reminding him that fear and doubt are powerful forces that few can overcome, and that faith is rare.

She plays the maid But vain the baroness' hope Gawain's not swayed, another lady holds his oath. She offers body, offers land but each advance is spurned. She puts a belt into his hand, a gift of magic earned By constancy in the face of all temptation, to his given word.
The baroness tries to seduce Gawain but he resists her advances. Another lady to whom he has already given an oath holds sway over him. The baroness gives him a magic belt as a reward for his faithfulness in the face of temptation.

'That's fear that chills you like a wraith But hope you gird about you waist It's rare the man who'll hold to faith And face me in the morning.'
The giant's voice once more reminds Gawain of the power of fear but also of the importance of hope, stating that it's rare for a man to have faith and face him without fear.

New year's day, Dawning wet on Britain's shore Gawain meets the same green knight once more. A man who laughs and gives his hand instead of charance fee Gawain at last percieves his God and bends a reverent knee 'Take and wear my lady's belt,' the green man gladly cries, 'And see to it you serve as well in all the paths of life.'
On another rainy New Year's Day, Gawain meets the same green knight. The giant laughs and reaches out his hand in friendship rather than demanding a chance fee. Gawain, finally understanding the true meaning of his quest, perceives his God and obeys the green knight's request to wear the magic belt as a reminder to stay faithful in all aspects of life.

'Be constant and be faithful Wear that belt for all to see That a man came here for justice And he left here blessed by me Left here blessed by me Left here blessed by me...'
The green knight blesses Gawain and tells him to be constant and faithful, and to wear the magic belt for all to see as a reminder of his quest for justice.