Godiva Lyrics

I waited for the train at Coventry

I hung with grooms and porters on the bridge

To watch the three tall spires

And there I shaped

The city's ancient legend into this

Not only we the latest seed of time

New men that in the flying of a wheel

Cry down the past not only we that prate

Of rights and wrongs have loved the people well

And loathed to see them overtaxed

But she

Did more and underwent and overcame

The woman of a thousand summers back

GODIVA

Wife to that grim earl who ruled

In Coventry

For when he laid a tax

Upon his town

And all the mothers brought

Their children clamouring

If we pay we starve

She sought her lord

And found him where he strode

About the hall among his dogs alone

His beard a foot before him and his hair

A yard behind

She told him of their tears

And prayed him if they pay this tax they starve

Whereat he stared replying half amazed

You would not let your little finger ache

For such as these

But I would die said she

He laughed and swore by Peter and by Paul

Then filliped at the diamond in her ear

Oh ay ay ay you talk

Alas she said

But prove me what it is I would not do

And from a heart as rough as Esau's hand

He answered ride you naked through the town

And I repeal it and nodding as in scorn

He parted with great strides among his dogs

So left alone the passions of her mind

As winds from all the compass shift and blow

Made war upon each other for an hour

Till pity won

She sent a herald forth

And bade him cry with sound of trumpet all

The hard condition but that she would loose

The people therefore as they loved her well

From then till noon no foot should pace the street

No eye look down she passed but after that

If any gazed he perished

Then she lay upon her couch

And heard them shout afar

Then rose and drave to meet her lord to claim

The boon he had promised

And he sat down in his chair

And all the dogs barked with loud applause

To greet his guest

GODIVA