Lancelot and the Grail Maiden

from Bringing In The May (EP) by Peacock's Tale Musical Storytelling

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Alternative video youtu.be/3MhA6wZ6OVk

The King Arthur legends are closely associated with May. Arthur is sometimes known as the May King (his coronation was May 1st) and Gwalchmei (Gawain) is the Hawk of May as Gwalchaved (Galahad) is the Hawk of Summer. Mordred - Arthur's shadow, the winter king, was born on May 1st (Beltane). Gwenhwyfar is Arthur's May Queen and the Grail Maiden brings in the May when she manages to enchant and become pregnant by Sir Lancelot ( a derivative of Llugh, the Celtic god of Light and fertility)

One of the paradoxes of the King Arthur legends (which thrillingly combine Christian mysticism with an older Celtic mythology) is that Lancelot's infidelity with the Grail Maiden (magically disguised as Guinevere) in quest of the Holy Grail conceives the Grail Finder. When Galahad comes of age he replaces his father as the Best Knight, finds the Grail and the Wasteland becomes fruitful again.

This tale of tragic adultery (and in thought at least also an infidelity to the King by his most faithful captain Lancelot) is brought to you by an old faithful married couple. But Lancelot and Guinevere and courtly love in general, may be enjoyed as myths of true marriage: the lifelong quest by each partner truly to find the other.

youtu.be/CiUjHIbDHFY

lyrics

‘Come hither, Captain,’ the Grail Maiden sighs,
‘Thither away with me
To the rich wooded valley and holy well
My Waste Land dies to be.

‘Look! into the burning wilderness sun
Above the shadeless tree,
The high hawk of summer, hovering still,
The shadow of what will be:

‘The Shadowless One who waits above
To be born to you and me,
A Knight of Truth out of traitor arms
And infidelity.

‘Galahad the Pure, God-armed and winged
To bless our impurity
Unbearably born to steal your quest
And all of your shining glory.

‘Come hither, Captain,’ the Grail Maiden sighs,
And turns him a face so free:
His forbidden love, the queen of his dreams,
The end of all Chivalry.’

A faithless false knight in a failing light
Fallen under a spell to see/ be
A Knight of Truth out of traitor arms
And infidelity.

Says he, ‘My heart is set on the grail
And wholly raised above!’
Says she, ‘It’s broken, and half is set
On your true adulterous love.’

‘I am her champion, she is my king’s,
I am their faithful knight!’
‘The Grail can’t be had for half a heart,
You can have that queen tonight.

‘Whisper my name, any name you like,
Any lover you want me to be,
A night of Truth in my traitor arms
And in fidelity.’

‘Come hither, Captain,’ the Grail Maiden sighs,
‘Thither away with me
To the rich wooded valley and holy well
My Waste Land dies to be.

credits

from Bringing In The May (EP), track released February 16, 2021
That's a King Lang Tantric horn at the start, recorded in India.
Galahad/Gwalchaved means 'hawk of summer'.
Cover pic by Bhas Allan.
The woman in the picture is Vanessa Wood-Davies whose harp tune inspired by these words may be heard on her album "Heddfan."

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Peacock's Tale Musical Storytelling Sedgeford, UK

It's all right, folks, we're married. A marriage of melody and rhythm ( flirting with harmony & timbre.) Old married woke folk, indie, Norfolk noir, beat poems, ghazals & Americana for the world from NW Norfolk. Maz lead & harmony vocals, acoustic guitar. Gaz lead & harmony vocals, drum & bass. Traditional tunes with contemporary beats.
garethcalway.blogspot.com/p/doin-different.html ... more

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