Billy The Bard

By Billy Rock Mitchell

It was one windy night in that ramshackle tavern by that Bendenbattle Bay

That a traveller told me of a magic man with many songs and words to say

People would  love and rejoice in him but cower and fear him greatly too

With a strum of his thumb and a wobble of his tongue anyone could be made or undone

By that wizardy wiley fool

Billy the Bard was this sparkly specimens name

Whose pen could cast any sword down in shame 

Who made jumping jesters giggle and holy men rave

From hill to hill, valley to valley or from his secret cave

Billy the Bard was a force of nature a triumphant conquering knight

He needed neither riches, titles or horses galore to win any fight

His satires were famed even in the mind of the boatman Charon

He was unstoppable even to Emperor, King, Duke, or lowly Baron

No party was ever truly complete

Without a dashing, daring Billy feat

No banquet satisfied without his speech

No lesson learned that he did not teach

The traveller told me he had not been seen at all in many a moon

As for all his power the song to his lady love failed to make her swoon

He had last been seen walking off to his cave through a field of sage

Some say he has long since died others believe he is without age

But the whispers in the dark do say that in our darkest hour Billy the Bard will return

And turn our night to day

When the tyrants and tricksters feel it is safe again once more

And no longer fear the bardic satires of either fool, clown or troubadour

Billy the Bard will return from his cave with a new song and new words that will skewer those over mighty scum

He will prance, dance and have power once more

He will jingle and jangle and show them the door

Oh Billy the Bard where are you I say

Oh Billy the Bard we need you now

Please return to turn night to day

By Billy Rock Mitchell