Song - Dominion of the Sword - Truly Carmichael

Описание: This 17th century broadside ballad challenges the adage of "the pen is mightier than the sword. " Set to a traditional Breton pipe tune by Martin Carthy in 1988, the original lyrics are relatable, compelling and still relevant today. I found the piece fascinating and paired it with a hybrid modern/historical arrangement and wonderful video content from HEMA (historical European swordplay) organizations across the globe. Personally, I find it remarkable that we are still in a world that needs to learn that might should not make right.

Lyrics: Broadside sheet printed in 1659, with edits by Martin Carthy and Truly Carmichael
Music: Traditional Breton pipe tune called Ar Ch'akouz (The Leper)
All instruments, vocals, recording and video editing by Truly Carmichael


Lay by your Pleading, Law lyes a-bleeding
Burn all of your Studies down, and throw away your Reading;
Power the Word has, but can afford us
Not half so much Priviledge as the Sword does

It'll foster the bastard, plaster Disaster,
This can make the Servant quickly greater than the Master
Ventures, enters, circles and it centers,
Ever the upper hand, never the dissenter

Takes down tall things, then sets up small things,
This can master Money, although Money masters all things;
'Tis not in season, to talk of Reason,
Never call it Legal, when the Sword will call it Treason;

Subtil Deceiver, turn's calm to fever,
This can make the pilgrim go and flay the unbeliever
It’ll make a Lay-man preach and to pray man,
It’ll make a Lord of him that was a Drayman

Conquers the Crown too, Cloak and the Gown too,
Set you up a province, but it’ll put it down too;
No Gospel guides it, no Law decides it,
In Church or State, till the Sword sanctifies it.

Take Books, rent 'em, who can invent 'em,
When that the Sword says, “Negatur argumentum?”
Bloud that is spilt, Sir, gain's all the gilt, Sir,
Thus have you seen me run my Sword up to the hilt, Sir.


With special thanks for swordplay video content used with permission from:

Adorea Olomouc, a professional historical sword fighting organization specializing in historical swordplay, martial arts, and stage combat. They are based in the Czech Republic and can be found at: https://www.adoreaolomouc.cz/ and   / adoreasft   . Full videos available on YouTube:    / adoreaolomouc  

Antoni Olbrychski of Akademia Szermierzy, a fencing academy located in Warsaw, Poland
Find them at   / akademiaszermierzy   and    / @akademiaszermierzy1105  

Sven Baumgarten of Gladiatores.de, a professional school for historical European martial arts providing lessons, seminars, training and events related to European martial arts. Located in many German and Austrian cities, find them here online: https://gladiatores.de/index.html and    / therealgladiatores  

Roland Warzecha of Dimicator. Based on decades of in-depth research and martial arts practice, Dimicator shares unique resources on historical combat, shields and weaponry. Based in
Hamburg, Germany, find them online at http://www.dimicator.com/ and   / overview  

Thanks also to Kelly Wong, who kindly gave me his time when i needed video editing assistance