Race You To The Top Of The Morning

Now let's see, Colin, when we left off last night
The hideous dragon had carried the maid to his cave by moonlight
He gnashed his teeth and breathed his fire
The earth quaked and we trembled in fear

I said someone must save this sweet raven haired maiden
Though surely the cost will be steep
So we lads all drew lots, our insides tied in knots
And I won and the rest went to sleep

So I picked up my staff
And I followed the trail of his smoke to the mouth of the cave
And I bid him come out, yea forsooth, I did shout
Ye fool dragon be gone or behave

And then under my breath I uttered a charm said
To make the worst fiend become kind
Knaves and knights of dire plights now diminish his sights
And it worked and the dragon went blind

And he charged off the cliff
Howling mad and he died
And the maiden accepted my ring
And then you came along
And were brave, bold and strong
And in thanks every night now I sing

Race you to the top of the morning
Come sit on my shoulders and ride
Run and hide, I'll come and find you
Climb hills to remind you
I love you, my boy at my side

Now another foul dragon's appeared, I must leave you
He's scorching our land with his breath
From his lair, this one taunts me he dares me, he haunts me
Once again, we must fight to the death

Would to God I could stay and instead slay your dragon
This beast who sits hunched on your back
Would God I could wrench him away from your bed
Or cut off or tear off his terrible head
Or breathe out my fire on him 'til he was dead
Or beg him to spare you and take me instead

As it is, I must leave you in care of my brother
The wizard who lives on the hill
Who has promised his art will soon pierce through the heart
Of this dragon that's keeping you ill

And I know that your mother, God bless her
Would want you to do as he says and grow strong
And you know that as soon as I can I'll return
So be brave son and know that I long

To race you to the top of the morning
Come sit on my shoulders and ride
Run and hide, I'll come and find you
Climb hills to remind you, I love you
I love you, my boy at my side!