The shores of wales

The full moon barely had arose, it looked down through the trees
The wind on mouse feet crept along, among the fallen leaves
And William rode his lonely way, beside a murmuring sea
Upon a twilight shore of Wales, it was All Hallows Eve

And thought he of his own sweetheart, he did not hear the horn
That sounded faintly far behind, from beyond the bourne
But soon he heard the pounding hooves, that shook the very ground
And with a mighty rushing wind, the riders ringed him 'round

Their eyes shone in the bladed night, the smelled of earth and air
With voices like a howling wind, their faces cruel and fair
And for to ride on Hallows Eve, demanded they their toll
And gave him then a race to win, for his life and soul

Ride young William, ride tonight
Elfland's on your trail
To take your soul, if you should lose
Upon the shores of Wales

Then came to him a midnight horse, whose rider wore a crown
And gazing at him with a smile, bade him to step down
A steed as red as blood or gold, was given to his rein
A faerie mount to match my own, evens out the game

Know you, sir, the Gallows Oak, that overlooks the sea
A league or more straight on from here, that our goal shall be
And if you win home you shall go, free from curse or pain
But if I catch you, mine you'll be, and come not home again

Then William bravely up and cried, these terms be far from fair
I stand to lose my own dear soul, and you not one small hair
A blacksmith now by trade I am, your risk must match my own
I'll forge your soul into my swords, and steel shall be your home

Ride young William, ride tonight
Elfland's on your trail
To take your soul, if you should lose
Upon the shores of Wales

So be it, cried the Midnight King, to yours I pledge my soul
They brought their horses side by side, and faced them towards the goal
And faster than the wind they flew, William rode the storm
And behind them came the Elven host, winding on their horns

Thw wind danced softly on the sand, it whsipered through the leaves
The moon sat veiled in tangled cloud, and sank down through the trees
And William's horse walked slow and cold, beside a murmuring sea
Upon an empty shore of Wales, it was All Hallows Eve