this weekend

i went to Ides of March this weekend in Huron. lots of fun! doom has already detailed much of the event on her blog, but i'll just add to it, saying a good time was had by all, even if i was still a bit sick (stupid cold - hanging on forever). svein was there, and happened to have a spare "for the good of the land"cd, so i bought it and listened to it on the way home. my car has a 6 cd changer in the trunk, but since i've got my ipod, this is only the 2nd time i've used it. good to know it works. anyway, the cd is filled with wonderful songs and peoms of the sca type, and that made me want to listen to more sca-ish songs, and i happened to bring my handy little ipod along, so i scrolled through the music and found the songs by wyndreth. svein had given me a cd with some of her music on it quite a while ago, along with a cd of icelandic sagas and a sequentia cd as well. anyway, as i was listening, i heard a song that gave me goosebumps. it was written over 10 years ago, but is very applicable to what is going on in north dakota right now, so i thought i'd share the lyrics. from http://www.savagedaughter.com/Floodsong.html

For Those Who Fight the Flooding

(copyright 1997--karen unrein kahan)

Word reaches us on higher ground

of kinsmen wyrd-and-water-tossed,

of rivers raging from their beds

and fordings, dams and bulwarks crossed

Chorus: My heart, it builds the longship

that my thick hands wish they could

to carry you and all you love

on wings of wind and wood

to where your anxious kinsmen

pace and pray for you

and rail the fates and wish that

there was something we could do.

We know the water's faces best

as sleet and ice and blinding snow.

When it comes as furied flood,

where shall our kinsmen go?

Chorus

All acorss the Northshield lights

burn in the dark of stead and hall

all and every evening as we

strain to hear you if you call.

Chorus

Those of us on higher ground

keep the guest-cups full and warm

and dream--when we can sleep--that you

are with us, safe from harm.

Chorus

Our thoughts ride waves to stand with you.

Our voices sing your names out loud.

Our hands dream that they can turn

the water's unforgiving wrath around

Chorus