The Last Banner

Hear the bells across the vale,
Calling heroes into flame.
Young and proud, I raised my blade,
Never knowing what I’d trade.

She stood beside the village well,
Golden light upon her hair.
Said, “When all your wars are done,
Promise me you’ll still be there.”

But the drums rolled in,
And I rode away.
I thought glory was forever,
I thought love could wait.

I chased the banners,
Chased the crown,
Crossed a thousand battlegrounds.
Won their praise,
Lost her hand,
Now I’m king of empty lands.

Let the last banner fall,
Let the trumpets drown.
I would trade the world tonight
Just to turn around.

I fought beneath a crimson sky
Against the wolves of northern snow.
Every scar became a tale,
But none could ease the ache below.

Her letters came,
Then slowly ceased.
And silence was the cruelest wound
No battlefield released.

I chased the banners,
Chased the crown,
Crossed a thousand battlegrounds.
Won their praise,
Lost her hand,
Now I’m king of empty lands.

Let the last banner fall,
Let the trumpets drown.
I would trade the world tonight
Just to turn around.

Years passed like arrows in the dark,
The wars became a distant song.
I kept searching every crowd,
Wondering where I’d gone wrong.

Was it glory? Was it pride?
Was it fear that made me ride?
All the gold beneath the sun
Could not warm what I had done.

I found our cottage overgrown,
The garden wild, the windows bare.
A faded ribbon on the door,
The only sign she’d once been there.

I chased the banners,
Chased the crown,
Crossed a thousand battlegrounds.
Won their praise,
Lost her hand,
Now I’m king of empty lands.

Let the last banner fall,
Let the mighty kingdoms drown.
I’d trade every victory
Just to have her with me now.

So if you hear the trumpets call,
Hold close the hearts that love you first.
A knight remembered by the world
May still come home to dust.