English Curse
Turner Frank Lyrics
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Not long after the Northmen had come
A low and evil deed was done
In the dark of the New Forest
In the dark of the New Forest
From the shores of Normandy King William came
To Albion fair, King Harold to slay
He took the land for his own
He took the land for his own
Now John was a blacksmith, an honest old man
He raised up his children and worked with his hands
At his family's forge in the patch of land
In the dark of the New Forest
In the dark of the New Forest
King William rode out after his victory
To ravage the land in his hunger to thieve
For hunting grounds in the Wessex trees
He took the land for his own
He took the land for his own
But if you steal the land of an Englishman
Then you will know this curse
Your first born son's warm blood will run
Upon the English earth
Now King William's son was called Rufus the Red
He took up the crown when his father was dead
And he rode the hunting grounds in his stead
In the dark of the New Forest
In the dark of the New Forest
But John's curse it called out and Lord Terryl fired low
The arrow struck William with a sickening blow
And he fell from his horse to the ground below
And the land took him for it's own
The land took him for it's own
So if you steal the land of an Englishman
Then you will know this curse
Your first born son's warm blood will run
Upon the English earth
Many years back when the old oaks were young
Not long after the Northmen had come
A low and evil deed was done
In the dark of the New Forest
In the dark of the New Forest
The song "English Curse" by Turner Frank tells the story of an old English curse that results in the death of King William and his son Rufus the Red. The first verse describes the origin of the curse, which was supposedly cast many years ago in the New Forest. The forest was a place of dark deeds and treachery, and it is in this atmosphere that the curse was cast. The second verse introduces King William, who came to England from Normandy to claim the land of the English for himself. He conquered King Harold and took over the country with greed in his heart. The third verse tells of John, an honest blacksmith who worked hard to raise his family in the New Forest. King William rode through the forest after his victory, taking over more land for his own use.
The chorus of the song repeats the curse that was supposedly cast on King William and his descendants. If you steal the land of an Englishman, then your first-born son's blood will run upon the English earth. The final verse tells of King William's son Rufus the Red, who took up the crown after his father's death. He too rode through the New Forest, but he was met with the curse that had been cast so many years before. Lord Terryl fired an arrow, and Rufus fell to the ground. The land took him for its own, just as it had taken his father.
The song is a cautionary tale about the importance of respecting the land and the people who inhabit it. The curse is a reminder that there are consequences for greed and treachery, and that the land has a long memory. It is a powerful message that is as relevant today as it was when the curse was supposedly cast.
Line by Line Meaning
Many years back when the old oaks were young
This song is referring to an event that happened a long time ago when the forest was just starting out.
Not long after the Northmen had come
This event happened shortly after the Northmen came to the area.
A low and evil deed was done
This event was a terrible act that was committed.
In the dark of the New Forest
This terrible act happened in the forests under the cover of darkness.
In the dark of the New Forest
This terrible act happened in the forests under the cover of darkness.
From the shores of Normandy King William came
King William came from Normandy to conquer Albion.
To Albion fair, King Harold to slay
King William came to Albion to kill King Harold.
With greed in his heart and his scurrilous claim
King William's actions were motivated by greed and his false claim to the land.
He took the land for his own
King William claimed the land as his own.
He took the land for his own
King William claimed the land as his own.
Now John was a blacksmith, an honest old man
John was a blacksmith who was known for his honesty.
He raised up his children and worked with his hands
John cared for his family and worked diligently as a blacksmith.
At his family's forge in the patch of land
John worked at his family's forge on a piece of land.
In the dark of the New Forest
John lived and worked in the New Forest.
In the dark of the New Forest
John lived and worked in the New Forest.
King William rode out after his victory
After King William won the war, he went out to exploit the land.
To ravage the land in his hunger to thieve
King William was greedy and wanted to take more than he deserved.
For hunting grounds in the Wessex trees
King William wanted to take the land for hunting grounds.
He took the land for his own
King William stole the land for his own purposes.
He took the land for his own
King William stole the land for his own purposes.
But if you steal the land of an Englishman
This song is a warning that if someone steals the land of an Englishman, there will be consequences.
Then you will know this curse
The curse will befall anyone who steals the land of an Englishman.
Your first born son's warm blood will run
The consequence of stealing land will be the death of the firstborn son of the thief.
Upon the English earth
The firstborn son of the thief will die on English soil.
Now King William's son was called Rufus the Red
King William's son was named Rufus, and he had red hair.
He took up the crown when his father was dead
Rufus took over as king after his father died.
And he rode the hunting grounds in his stead
Rufus, like his father, enjoyed hunting in the forest.
In the dark of the New Forest
Rufus liked to hunt in the New Forest.
In the dark of the New Forest
Rufus liked to hunt in the New Forest.
But John's curse it called out and Lord Terryl fired low
John's curse was invoked, and Lord Terryl shot an arrow that missed Rufus.
The arrow struck William with a sickening blow
Rufus was shot and killed with an arrow.
And he fell from his horse to the ground below
Rufus fell off his horse after being hit by the arrow.
And the land took him for it's own
The land claimed Rufus's body for itself.
The land took him for it's own
The land claimed Rufus's body for itself.
So if you steal the land of an Englishman
This song is a warning that if someone steals the land of an Englishman, there will be consequences.
Then you will know this curse
The curse will befall anyone who steals the land of an Englishman.
Your first born son's warm blood will run
The consequence of stealing land will be the death of the firstborn son of the thief.
Upon the English earth
The firstborn son of the thief will die on English soil.
Many years back when the old oaks were young
This song is referring to an event that happened a long time ago when the forest was just starting out.
Not long after the Northmen had come
This event happened shortly after the Northmen came to the area.
A low and evil deed was done
This event was a terrible act that was committed.
In the dark of the New Forest
This terrible act happened in the forests under the cover of darkness.
In the dark of the New Forest
This terrible act happened in the forests under the cover of darkness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANCIS EDWARD TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lark Druid
This is a bard. Nothing but the power of his voice to carry the spirit of this song.
Jazz
Yes dude it is such a good bard, come down to the hog inn to hear more bards this Sunday after church
acpts
incredible how he creates an atmosphere and music in your heart without any instruments... his voice is amazing
Zach Wilgenbusch
This an amazing acapella ballad. And I've been listening to Frank Turner for the first time today and his music in my opinion is worth listening to.
Drew P.
A crowning achievement for Frank Turner, in my humble opinion. Simply cannot get enough of this one.
Alex Wyse
There should be more songs like this in the world
TheLowennaRules
His voice is too incredible.
wordsandstuff
It takes something to do a song pure a capella. Just heard of this guy about 20 minutes ago (literally). Good stuff.
yellowfish filet
First frank song i ever heard about 5 years ago still amazing
Justin Sane
Having both Danish and English blood, this song always made me smile.