The
fire now is slowing, with coals softly glowing
'Tis time for a story of long long ago
A tale of great sorrow but hope for the morrow
So lend me your ears as the story now flows
His name was Llewelyn, in Wales he was dwellin'
A prince and a hunter and a warrior so bold
He took as his bride a young princess from
England
A beautiful maiden, her name it was Joan.
Her
father then gave them his most prized possession
A greyhound named Gelert, a dog of great
worth
He could run like the wind, was a brave
and loyal friend
Was a noble companion at hunt and at hearth
Now Joan bore a baby, a son to Llewelyn
A prize and delight to his parents' great
joy
And Gelert soon too took his part in the
pleasure
He'd sleep by the cradle and watch over
the boy.
Llewelyn
blew his horn one fine summer's morning
For hunting was his pleasure and his dog
would come too
But Gelert in the hall never answered the
calling
So Llewelyn went hunting with one dog too
few
But upon his return, no success in the greenwood
He was tired and angry that his dog did
not come
By Gelert he was greeted, all blood head
to his feet
Said Llewelyn to Gelert, "What deed hast
thou done?"
The
blood trail of doom led to the baby's chamber
An overturned cradle in a crimson red pool
Then Gelert did whine though for the last
time
For Llewelyn's great anger was swift and
was cruel
"Thou monstrous beast on my son thou wast
feasting"
He slew Gelert swiftly one strike from his
sword
The greyhound did yelp, as the stories all
telling
He gazed at his master, his life from him
poured.
Then
came another cry from under the cradle
The baby awakened, unharmed and alone
And not far away, was a dead wolf a laying
And Gelert the hero was still on the stone
So the dog was then buried by a stone called
"Bedd Gelert"
For centuries after the story was told
Of a great canine hero and a judgement too
hasty
And the burden of guilt for Llewelyn to
hold.
