ERE I RETURN

[Verse 1]
Beneath the moon, beside the wall
The trumpets sound, the banners call
My maiden stands beneath the flame
And softly speaks her lover's name

“Thou must depart, my valiant knight
Into the dark and coming fight
Yet swear unto me, ere thou art gone
That thou shalt seek thy way anon”

[Pre-Chorus]
“Keep watch upon the tower high
And heed the lantern in the sky
For though the wars may call me far
Thy light shall be my guiding star”

[Chorus]
**WAIT FOR ME, MY MAIDEN DEAR**
**I SWEAR BY GOD, I SHALL BE NEAR**
**THROUGH IRON, FIRE, BLOOD AND STONE**
**I SHALL RETURN UNTO MINE OWN**
**WAIT FOR ME, MY HEART, MY BRIDE**
**KEEP THY LIGHT BURNING THROUGH THE NIGHT**
**ERE THE FINAL BELL DOTH RING**
**I SHALL RETURN, MY MAIDEN, MY KING**

[Verse 2]
The gates swing wide, the riders ride
She watches from the castle side
Her tears fall down, yet still she stands
A silver ring within her hands

“Take this, my lord, and wear it true
That thou mayst know I wait for you
Where'er thy sword or steed may roam
This ring shall guide thee back to home”

[Pre-Chorus]
“Though winter cloak the fields in white
I shall keep watch throughout the night
And every morn when dawn doth rise
I'll seek thy shadow in the skies”

[Chorus]
**WAIT FOR ME, MY MAIDEN DEAR**
**I SWEAR BY GOD, I SHALL BE NEAR**
**THROUGH IRON, FIRE, BLOOD AND STONE**
**I SHALL RETURN UNTO MINE OWN**
**WAIT FOR ME, MY HEART, MY BRIDE**
**KEEP THY LIGHT BURNING THROUGH THE NIGHT**
**ERE THE FINAL BELL DOTH RING**
**I SHALL RETURN, MY MAIDEN, MY KING**

[Bridge]
Many moons have passed away
Since first he rode beyond the grey
The castle halls grew cold and still
Yet burned her flame upon the hill

She kneels beside the chapel door
And prays as she hath prayed before

“Good Lord above, preserve my knight
And guide him safely through the night
For should he perish far from me
Then half my heart shall buried be”

[Final Chorus]
**WAIT FOR ME, MY MAIDEN DEAR**
**I HAVE RETURNED, FOR I AM HERE**
**THROUGH IRON, FIRE, BLOOD AND STONE**
**THY faithful knight hath come back home**
**NO MORE TEARS, NO MORE GOODBYES**
**NO MORE WATCHING EMPTY SKIES**
**THE WAR IS DONE, THE NIGHT IS O'ER**
**AND I SHALL LEAVE THEE NEVERMORE**

[Outro]
The bells rang out across the land
She placed her trembling hand in his hand
And where once stood a lonely bride
There stood his maiden by his side

**“Thou hast returned.”**
**“As I had sworn.”**