There's still mead in the horn

It's a while before morn

The fire and the company are warm

There are deeds we have done

There are songs to be sung

With our Kindred and our holy gods

Old man takes the horn

Boasts of grandchildren born

With a smile and a tear in his eye

His wife's ten years dead

But such a life she had led!

His stories keep her memory alive

Young girl takes it next

But just touches her lips

She's too pregnant to risk drinking deep

For her husbands deployed

Unashamed does she pray

Oh gods please just bring him back safe

Young man takes the horn

Pours some out on the ground

In thanks to the wights of the land

When he came to our kin

Such an anger in him

But now he stands calm in his pride

Our two newlyweds

Now we've pried them from bed

Raise the horn to a round of cat calls

Then proudly they spoke

Oaths of love and of troth

To their kindred and their holy gods

Old woman takes it last

With a spill and a laugh

She boasts of the craft of her hands

An oath did she take

Wedding dress she would make

From her Kindred she won't hide her pride

There's still mead in the horn

It's still a while before morn

The fire and the company are warm

There are deeds we have done

There are songs to be sung

With our Kindred and our holy gods

John T Mainer