The Steersman's Song
Words by Robert E. Howard
(©Estate of Robert E. Howard, Glenn Lord, Executor)
Tune Unknown
Serpent's prow on the Afric coast
Doom on the Moorish town
And this is the song that the steersman sings
As the dragon ship sweeps down:
I followed Asgrimr Snorrisson
Around the world and halfway back
And 'scaped the hate of Galdjerhun
Who sank our ships off Skagerack.
I lent my sword to Hrothgar then
His eyes were ice, his heart was hard.
He fell with half his weapon men
To our own kin at Mikligard.
And then for many a weary moon
I labored at the galley's oar
Where men grow maddened by the tune
Of oarlocks clacking evermore.
But I survived the reeking rack,
The toil, the whip that burned and gashed,
The spiteful Greeks that scarred my back
And trembled even while they lashed.
They sold me on an Eastern block
In silver coin my price was paid.
They girt me with a chain and lock.
I laughed and they were sore afraid.
I toiled among the olive trees
Until a night of hot desire
Blew me a breath of outer seas
And filled my veins with curious fire!
Then I arose and broke my chains
And laughed to know that I was free.
I battered out my master's brains
And fled to gain the open sea.
Beneath the copper sun, adrift,
I shunned the proa and the dhow
Until I saw a sail uplift
And saw again the dragon prow.
Oh east of sands and sunlit gulf,
Your blood is thin, your gods are few.
You could not tame a Northern wolf
And now that wolf has turned on you!
(Repeat first verse dangerously)
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Last Modified : June 1st, 1998
