The New Murrey and Blue blog

This Legendary Ten Seconds song, with lyrics by Sandra Heath Wilson, features on the new Musical Almanac album.

A HERALD’S LAMENT . . .King Richard is dead

Lyrics written by Sandra Heath Wilson

King Richard is dead! Such dread news I bring!
No joy to cling to, no hosannas to sing
I tell a tale so heartbreakingly brief,…
A tale that can only convey pain and grief

A herald’s lament King Richard is dead

And of Henry Tudor his reign I do dread

Treacherous Stanley, and others, with Percy
Did desert our true king, and offered no mercy
All grace did they forfeit, as well as all honour
By callously raising to crown and to power

A herald’s lament King Richard is dead

And of Henry Tudor his reign I do dread

A cowardly knave by the name of Tudor
A claimless, joyless Lancastrian usurper!
Oh, England! Our anointed King Richard is lost.
Betrayed, deserted at what ruthless cost!

A herald’s lament King Richard is dead

And of Henry Tudor his reign I do dread

Now we have Henry, he is numbered seven,
Who will close upon us the gates of God’s Heaven.
King Richard is dead! Such dread news I bring!
No joy to cling to, no hosannas to sing