The Fyre-Bough

The Fyre-Bough is a song by the  Wolcensmen in the  Songs from the Fyrgen. A bough is a strong tree branch, though it can also be a way of saying the gallows.

The greene bough, Glysteninge gold nowe, Made sweye by wyndes that rise, Beyonde the glare of Erthely eyes. The Ried-Fyre, Slytheringe heigher, Fede wel by lims of olde, Briht with a fyre-bough of gold. The wise tunge, Foretellinge deeds done, With words of wyrd, to know, Tydinges as trewe as scholde shew. And he wou'd know, The ryme and rede of a fo. And he would here, Here that are ever-nere. And he would fight, Never to cowe or to hyde. We brynge to minde the fyre-bough.

The green bough, Glistening gold now, Made sway by winds that rise, Beyond the glare of Earthly eyes. The Reed-Fire, Slithering higher, Fed well by limbs of old, Bright with a fire-bough of gold. The wise tongue, Foretelling deeds done, With words of weird, to know, Tidings as true as should show. And he wou'd know, The rime and rede of a foe. And he would hear, Hear that are ever-near. And he would fight, Never to cowe or to hide. We bring to mind the fire-bough.