MACING THE WILLIAM

By Sir Steven MacEanruig

Once a jolly warrior stepped out on the tourney field
The sun it was bright and the month 'twas May,
And he sang as he swung his mace upon the tourney field,
"We'll go a-macing the William today."

"Macing the William, macing the William,
"We'll go a-macing the William today."
And he sang as he swung his mace upon the tourney field,
"We'll go a-macing the William today."

Up came the William out upon the tourney field
Axing no pardon of those he would slay
And he swore that the knight who waited on the tourney field
Never would mace on the William that day.

"Macing the William, macing the William,
"We'll go a-macing the William today."
And he swore that the knight who waited on the tourney field
Never would mace on the William that day.

Out came the heralds to shout upon the tourney field,
Up came the marshals to watch o'er the fray.
And as salutes were given on the tourney field
Our jolly warrior was heard for to say:

"Macing the William, macing the William,
"We'll go a-macing the William today."
And as salutes were given on the tourney field
"Macing the William" was all he would say.

Swift came the blows out there upon the tourney field
Loud rang the mace on the helm that day.
And as poor William died upon the tourney field
With his last breath he was heard for to say:

"Macing the William, macing the William,
"You've gone and maced on the William today."
And as poor William died upon the tourney field
"You've maced the William" was all he could say.

Tune: 'Waltzing Matilda'