Hawthorn Tree

Arthur's hall is mantled in the carded fleece of winter

Guinevere sits veiled in her own thoughts

Arthur laughs, but beneath the crown his hair is turning grey

And by the fire, Merlin spends his days

The portal opens and a maid as fair as apple blossoms

Enters in as all rise to their feet

These many knights stand in vain attempts to win her first attention

And by the fire, Merlin sits and waits

Hawthorn tree

Your body burns away the winter's cold

Stand by me

And shade me from the sun

My eyes are old, but still can see

Threading through as though they were the golden fields of summer

Maiden and sage meet within the light

'I have come for your power, and my name is Vivianne.'

And by the fire, Merlin knows his fate

From that day, no moment passed when they were not together

And she grew in strength, as waning his grew dim

Arthur's court wondered if love or enchantment held them bound

The strange desire of Merlin and the maid

Hawthorn tree

Your body burns away the winter's cold

Stand by me

And shade me from the sun

My eyes are old, but still can see

Then they left, as autumn's leaves upon the moving water

Camelot failed to solve the mystery

Seasons passed, and a woodsman came from distant Lyonesse

Who knew the fate of Merlin and the maid

He had seen a maid fairer still than apple blossoms

And an elderly man walking hand in hand

They embraced, and when they parted there was only Vivianne

And one more tree was standing in the glade

Hawthorn tree

Your body burns away the winter's cold

Stand by me

And shade me from the sun

My eyes are old, but still can see