(Lancashire) Bend Up The Yew

https://www.boltonlongbowarchers.co.uk/img/photos/benduptheyew.jpg


From Ribble bank and Rivington,
From moor and moss they came,
Bolton's lusty lads marched on,
Beneath the Stanley name.
With yew bowes tall upon their backs,
And sheaves at every side,
O'er felle and dale the bowmen came,
To meet the northern pride.

Bend the stave and loose the strynge,
Let the grey goose feather synge!
God keep England, stronge and true,
Lancashire - bend up the yew!

Kynge James came south with pyke and gunne,
And cannon greate and grim;
At Norham Wall his shotte had rung,
And none might answer him.
But Surrey crossed the Northern Ground,
And Stanley held the reare;
Then bowes of warre were bended stronge,
And Englishe bills drew neare.

Bend the stave and loose the strynge,
Let the grey goose feather synge!
God keep England, stronge and true,
Lancashire - bend up the yew!

At Branxton Hylle the Scots came down,
Their pykes before them borne;
Pennons streamed and drums beat out,
Upon that Autumn morne.
Then Bolton's lads drew fast and stronge,
The cloth-yard shafts they flew;
As thick as rain the arrows fell,
From every bow of yew.

Bend the stave and loose the strynge,
Let the grey goose feather synge!
God keep England, stronge and true,
Lancashire - bend up the yew!

Then bow was laid and bill was raised,
And steele with steele did rynge;
Through mire and bloud the battle swayed,
About the Scottish Kynge.
The lion banner bowed at last,
And many a lorde lay low;
Yet dearly bought was Flodden Fielde,
As every widow knows.

Bend the stave and loose the strynge,
Let the grey goose feather synge!
God keep England, stronge and true,
Lancashire - bend up the yew!

So fill the cup for Lancashire,
And name the lads that came;
From Bolton Moor to Ribble side,
Remember well their fame.
Let lute and tabour tell the tale,
Where'er the red rose grew:
How Stanley's men at Flodden stood,
With bills and bowes of yew.

Bend the stave and loose the strynge,
Let the grey goose feather synge!
God keep England, stronge and true,
Lancashire - bend up the yew!