I am cast into kingdom of charnel night
An exile from the land of noble birthright
Across empty shadow land I go fleeing
In tattered clothes, I am the dead still walking
Ghosts stalk after me, a haunted man
Fleeing from a dead and ruined land
Wild tempest winds dance with voices shrieking
The moon flits in and out of clouds racing
That pale disc peers down from celestial window
To watch me wander alone amidst my sorrow
With fleeting gaze, that eye is briefly shining
All this night-haunted land with white light dappling
The wind-blasted heights become frosted with pale silver light
But the low hollows are left in the clutch of shadowed night
But just as soon as it appears, all that frigid light is melting
And it vanishes like snow before the vernal rays of morning
For the moon is gone behind turbulent shroud
And lies buried beneath wall of racing cloud
Like wild banshee loosed for mortal hunting
Cold wind screams across this barren wasting
I alone stand against gale might
Which howls through long desolate night
And soon rain from blackened clouds comes lashing
The cold fingers of death set me trembling
Yet my ragged voice I lift in wild lament
But only wind is there to head my torment
When is the hour of night unending?
When is radiant dawn alighting?
Where now can I rest my weary feet?
Where now can I stop and mournful weep?
Where is the sun and moon now shining?
Where is this savage storm now driving?
Why in darkness must I end my days?
O pale moon, where is your icy gaze?
The winds laugh with cruel mocking
Above, clouds pelt with hail falling
Why am I given no shelter?
And why must I lonesome wander?
No bitter tears shall mark my passing
No linen shroud for earthen sleeping
How long shall I ignore the dead?
How long shall I eat sorrow’s bread?
All night I hear the shades whispering
And I feel the deep grave’s beckoning
To join the sweet sleep of death
And give up these cursed breaths
Before dim eyes come misty swimming
Visions of yesteryears sweet dreaming
Honeyed memories borne on radiant cloud
Take shadow shape and sail past without a sound
A procession of ghosts all glittering
Out of mist curtain come stately gliding
They leave me here, to go I know not where
With bitter tears, I can only trembling stare
There goes the king and all his mighty host
There ride the armored knights of noble boast
There march all the people lifting voiceless cry
There is the sword of brilliant steel held on high
There rise the many banners that like kites soar
There go all the brave men off to gallant war
Those days are gone like shadows lost in the mist
Vanishing like a hand waves away a wisp
Silence rules in solemn power
Only wild wind sings at this hour
The lords lie buried with treasure gleaming
Leaving gilden halls once filled with feasting
All the stone walls crumble
While the thrones sit idle
Leave our halls to the beasts, their wild tending
For all that man builds is dust becoming
