Johnny Flynn - Sweet William lyrics

I was born with this story, it's older than I
And yet, you, when you hear
It you'll know in the sky
In the wind of your knowledge
In the cut of your jib
That the fibre of wind is as new from my lip
As was ever and more and ever will be
Till the union we face casts us finally free

For we, in the love of an earth-bidden dance
Stand enthralled of that, which from heaven
Perchance let's us move with the gifts
We were given in grace
And smile in the arms of sweet William's

William's wanderings took him abroad
Showed him the lay of
The searcher's long road
To the place he stood now
'neath the black laden sky
And the crook of his father
Had brought fortune nigh
Read the sign where he looked not the bull
Nor the bear nor a burly red lion
Or the tortoise and hare

For we, in the love of an earth-bidden dance
Stand enthralled of that, which from heaven
Perchance let's us move with the gifts
We were given in grace
And smile in the arms of sweet William's
The end of the world was the name of the inn
Said fair William, "Farewell
To the world and it's sin" it's sin

Full balmy was the winter air
All wet with what might die
A wishing well, the ocean bare
A millpond in his eyes
A glance to see from whence
He came, for William, with a landlocked turn
Vermin what he stood to lose
The skin-shot snakes and earthy worms

His boots trod soft inside the inn
He's greeted all was here
Abrasive lowly nods came back
Then bent toward their beer
"They must know I, " thought Willy now
"They've seen me come from miles"
The thought was struck as whisky poured
And barmen gave all smiles

Then followed this, a curious thing
The eldest of the host
Sang softly where he sat and drank
To love, a worthy toast
His song was of a stranger
Summoned for his rope
In all would be to set us free
His song was strong and bold, it went

We, in the love of an earth-bidden dance
Stand enthralled of that, which from heaven
Perchance let's us move with the gifts
We were given in grace
And smile in the arms of sweet William's
Embrace

I was born with this story, it's older than I
And yet you when you hear it
You'll know in the sky
In the wind of your knowledge
In the cut of your jib
That the fibre of wind is as new from my lip
As was ever and more and ever will be
Till the union we face casts us finally free