Rudyard Kipling - Norman and Saxon "My son," said the Norman Baron, "I am dying, and you will be heir To all the broad acres in England that William gave me for share When he conquered the Saxon at Hastings, and a nice little handful it is. But before you go over to rule it I want you to understand this:-- "The Saxon is not like us Normans. His manners are not so polite. But he never means anything serious till he talks about justice right. When he stands like an ox in the furrow--with his sullen set eyes on your own, And grumbles, 'This isn't fair dealing,' my son, leave the Saxon alone. "You can horsewhip your Gascony archers, or torture your Picardy spears; But don't try that game on the Saxon; you'll have the whole brood round your ears. From the richest old Thane in the county to the poorest chained serf in the field, They'll be at you and on you like hornets, and, if you are wise, you will yield. "But first you must master their language, their dialect, proverbs and songs. Don't trust any clerk to interpret when they come with the tale of their own wrongs. Let them know that you know what they are saying; let them feel that you know what to say. Yes, even when you want to go hunting, hear 'em out if it takes you all day. They'll drink every hour of the daylight and poach every hour of the dark. It's the sport not the rabbits they're after (we've plenty of game in the park). Don't hang them or cut off their fingers. That's wasteful as well as unkind, For a hard-bitten, South-country poacher makes the best man- at-arms you can find. "Appear with your wife and the children at their weddings and funerals and feasts. Be polite but not friendly to Bishops; be good to all poor parish priests. Say 'we,' 'us' and 'ours' when you're talking, instead of 'you fellows' and 'I.' Don't ride over seeds; keep your temper; and never you tell 'em a lie!" www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/norman_and_saxon.html
@Soundwave._
4 жыл бұрын
Lyrics: "My son," said the Norman Baron, "I am dying, and you will be heir To all the broad acres in England that William gave me for my share. When he conquered the Saxon at Hastings, and a nice little handful it is. But before you go over to rule it I want you to understand this: The Saxon is not like us Normans. His manners are not so polite. But he never means anything serious till he talks about justice and right. When he stands like an ox in the furrow-with his sullen set eyes on your own, And grumbles, 'This isn't fair dealing,' my son, leave the Saxon alone. You can horsewhip your Gascony archers, or torture your Picardy spears; But don't try that game on the Saxon; you'll have the whole brood round your ears. From the richest old Thane in the county, to the poorest chained serf in the field, They'll be at you, and on you, like hornets, and, if you are wise, you will yield. They'll drink every hour of the daylight and poach every hour of the dark. It's the sport, not the rabbits, they're after - 'We've plenty of game in the park.' Don't hang them, or cut off their fingers! That's wasteful, as well as unkind. For a hard-bitten South country poacher makes the best man-at-arms you can find. Appear with your lady and children at their weddings and funerals and feasts. Be polite but not friendly to Bishops; be good to all poor parish priests. Say 'we,' 'us' and 'ours' when you're talking, instead of 'you rabble' and 'I.' Don't ride over seeds; keep your temper; and never you tell 'em a lie!" You can horsewhip your Gascony archers, or torture your Picardy spears; But don't try that game on the Saxon; you'll have the whole brood round your ears. From the richest old Thane in the county, to the poorest chained serf in the field, They'll be at you, and on you like hornets, and, if you are wise... You will yield!
@benmartin2742
9 жыл бұрын
That was amazing!!
@ДмитрийМуринов
3 жыл бұрын
Although the poem ( and song) refers to the time just after the Norman Conquest, I cannot agree that it's about the conflict between Saxon and Norman. On the contrary, it lays the foundations for their peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. Moreover, as it happens with many Kipling's masterpieces ( let's recall DANE-GELD, BALLAD OF EAST AND WEST, FUZZY-WUZZY etc.) , the meaning of these verses is broader than just a mere description of a local historical episode: it can be expanded to any time and any place. For the values and virtues proclaimed may be ( and should be) estimated, revered and accepted all around the world, they never get out of fashion. Thanks for posting, I enjoy the performance very much. Every single word is clearly heard, and the accompaniment of a hurdy-gurdy ( if I'm not mistaken) is on point.
@Sonny-m1f
11 күн бұрын
I dig it.
@vikasmorr7313
11 жыл бұрын
Love this, can we have the lyrics in the description?
@Sonny-m1f
6 күн бұрын
Dont try that shit on a saxon.
@ArtyJerjerrod
5 жыл бұрын
gotta say the mumbled prayers kind of ruin this rendition.
Пікірлер: 9