Let Legend Mark Me As the King

When I pass from this world to the next

When I am laid and my soul is put to rest

My legacy will be there for all to see

For how long after I am gone will my deeds outlive me?

The Apostle says we must all appear before our Christ

To judge my place in the world, the way I framed my life

‘Tis a fearful thing to fall into God’s hands

Only he who repents shall pass into the heavenly lands.

When all the deeds of my life are played before my eyes

Will what I see come as a great surprise?

Life is short the hour of death uncertain

I must confess my sins before they draw the final curtain.

Will I be remembered for my victories small and great

The glory of the Christian name I sought to disseminate?

Let legend mark me as the King

Of whom future generations will sing.

Cast me not in my old age

When my will and strength doth fail

Forsake me not ‘til I show forth Thy arm

To all the ages that are yet to come.

All in time shall be revealed

When all is done my fate is sealed

In manus Tuas, Domine,

Et anima mea quam redemisti.

And will the Golden Age of Charlemagne

Glow more brightly long after my reign?

When all the battles have been lost and won.

Will this warrior King in memory still live on?

It was with the sword I overcame my assailants

Those heathen hordes for whom menaces, gifts and presents

Seemed to speak louder than arguments and reason

I did what I had to, to spread the true religion.

Was the terror of extreme punishment as a means

To enforce observance of the doctrines of peace?

There were of course moments

I desired to surrender

My crown, robes, royal hoard and my holy sceptre.

Sometimes I wondered why

I could not retire from this world

To the peace of a monastic cell

Or a pilgrim to the road.