Dominion of the Sword

from Dominion by Melrose Quartet

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£1 GBP or more
Buy the Full Digital Album

about

trad, new words Martin Carthy and James Fagan

Martin Carthy found this epic poem about the ubiquitous power of violence in a Penguin anthology of war poetry, written in 1649 by an anonymous pamphleteer. Martin added verses 3 and 5 in the 1980s and encouraged us to add our own for this revisiting. He adapted the melody from a Breton pipe tune called Ar Ch'akouz (The Leper).

lyrics

Lay by your pleading, law lies a-bleeding
Burn all your studies down, and throw away your reading
Small power the word has, and can afford us
Not half so much privilege as the sword does

It'll the foster the master, plaster disaster
This'll make a servant quickly greater than the master
Ventures, enters, seeks and it centres
Ever the upper hand, never the dissenter

Kruger, Krugerrand-a, whither do you wander?
Gone to the suborning of Hastings Banda
Kruger Krugerrand-a, tear you all asunder
Beira to Luanda, Gaborone to Nyanga

Talks of small things, it sets up all things
This'll master money, though money masters all things
It is not season to talk of reason
Never call it loyal when the sword says treason

Balm for the whaler, balm for the the furrier
This'll get the measure of an eco warrior
Incognito, come and sink a Rainbow
President will never know, I should bloody coco

Build a drone, fly it, governments will buy it
Devils in the desert sand give us a chance to try it
Don’t need their ident, propaganda strident
Blow them up remotely with a Hellfire or a Trident.

Subtle deceiver turns calm to fever
See the pilgrim flay the unbeliever
It'll make a lay man preach and to pray man
It'll make a Lord of him that was but a drayman

Conquers the crown too, grave and the gown too
Set you up a province but it'll pull it down too
No gospel can guide it, no law decide it
In church or state, till the sword sanctified it

Take books, rent 'em, who can invent 'em?
When that the sword says there'll be no argumentum
Blood that is spilt, sir, has gained all the guilt, sir
Thus have you seen me run my sword up to the hilt, sir

credits

from Dominion, released December 1, 2023

license

about

Melrose Quartet Sheffield, UK

Simply one of the best acappella groups on the UK folk scene, Melrose Quartet are made up of two well-loved folk duos, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Jess & Rich Arrowsmith. Based in Sheffield, they have a decade of gigs behind them, and vast collective experience as workshop leaders as well as performers. They are also a ceilidh band and the Patrons of Whiby Folk Week. Www.melrosequartet.co.uk ... more

melrosequartet.co.uk

contact / help

Contact Melrose Quartet

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Melrose Quartet, you may also like:

Solo
by Sam Sweeney

supported by 10 fans who also own “Dominion of the Sword”

Dear Sam Sweeney, thank you for your hauntingly beautiful music. Please make this collection an 'LP' soon, Kind regards, BSuhr bsbrake
go to album
Still As Your Sleeping
by Karine Polwart & Dave Milligan

supported by 10 fans who also own “Dominion of the Sword”

Thanks for the beautiful music Karine and Dave. it's been a while since I've felt so emotional listening to a new album. Every lyric is so beautifully supported by the piano parts. Laura-Beth Salter
go to album
Unearth Repeat
by Sam Sweeney

supported by 9 fans who also own “Dominion of the Sword”

Incredible album! Such artistry. martineric1
go to album
The Water is the Shovel of the Shore
by Shovel Dance Collective

Traditional folk music and field recordings meld into fascinating long-form sound collages on the new LP from Shovel Dance Collective. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 6, 2022
go to album
To The Awe
by Rachel Newton

Scottish harpist and singer Rachel Newton brings an innovative, intensely emotional touch to traditional music on this dreamy LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 17, 2020
go to album
Ship To Shore
by Richard Thompson

The legendary Richard Thompson's new solo album exemplifies his many musical paths, from pop and cabaret to jazz to traditional folk. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2024
go to album
Tiny Notes
by The Young'uns

supported by 8 fans who also own “Dominion of the Sword”

This is the most moving collection of new songs I think I have ever heard. The power of the story telling is remarkable Thank you guys 😊 keef1951
go to album