Tarrant Moss

I closed and drew for my love's sake
That now is false to me
And I slew the Reiver of Tarrant Moss
And set Dumeny free

They have gone down, they have gone down
They are standing all in a row--
Twenty knights in the peat-water
That never struck a blow!

Their armour shall not dull nor rust
Their flesh shall not decay
For Tarrant Moss holds them in trust
Until the Judgment Day

Their soul went from them in their youth
Would to God, that mine had gone
Whenas I leaned on my love's truth
And not on my sword alone!

Whenas I leaned on lad's belief
And not on my naked blade--
I slew a thief, and an honest thief
For the sake of a worthless maid

They have laid the Reiver low in his place
They have set me up on high
But the twenty knights in the peat-water
Are luckier than I!

And ever they give me gold and praise
And ever I mourn my loss--
That I struck the blow for my false love's sake
And not for the Men of the Moss!
Not for the Men of the Moss