My latest BardSong won a 1st Prize. It's called "Six Jolly Church-Goers"

(With apologies to the “3 Jolly Welshmen.”)

There were six happy church-goers, a-churchin’ they did go,
Each one a dude with attitude, some good and some, not so.

There’s Gary Grump, Grizelda Gripe and Gordon Grouch there too,
Then Charley Cheer and Sally Smiles with Barney Bold, I knew.

Now Brother Grouch’s car got smashed, he had to share a lift
With Brother Grump and Sister Gripe, which made him rather miffed.

But Charley Cheer and Sally Smiles, they came to praise the Lord.
They picked up Barney Bold as well. They’re all in one Accord.

A well-known speaker came that day, the car-park it was chockers.
Detoured to distant, pot-holed streets – so lethal on one’s shockers*.

Bro Grump said, “It’s the Deacons’ fault!” Sis Gripe just gave a groan.
Bro Grouch complained both loud and long, he won’t leave it alone.

But Charles was glad for any spot, and Sally Smiles said “YAY!”
Bro Bold enjoyed the longer walk on such a sunny day.

When they arrived, the place was packed! “No room!” the ushers said.
They offered them the Crying Room with noisy kids instead.

Ol’ Grump, he huffed “Not good enough!” Grizelda gave a sob.
Bro Grouch he growled “Get more seats, or I’ll punch you in the gob!”

But Charles said “There’s still standing room!” and Sally Smiles said “Yeah!”
And Barney said: “If we get tired, soft carpet’s everywhere!”

The songs began both loud and glad. The church was really rockin’.
The congregation came alive. The neighbours they came flockin'.

“Too loud!” then grumbled Brother Grump. “Don’t like it!” said Sis Gripe.
Bro Grouch he carped: “Don’t know these songs! They’re just a load of tripe!”

But Charley’s hands were raised t’ward heav’n, and Sal swung from the rafter.
While Barney shouted “Glory!” then was struck with Holy Laughter.

Once all the people settled down, the speaker then addressed them.
His gentle, bold sincerity and love for Truth impressed them.
“I once demanded privilege,” he said “Now I am thankful.
Surrend’ring all our rights, our pride, there’s blessings by the tankful.”

The message was both strong and clear, much needed in this hour.
One felt the presence of the Lord, Who came in grace and power.
“It’s by God’s Grace,” the preacher said, “that we can be called ‘Saints’.
Repent, now from your selfishness, and cease all your complaints.”

“Repent from what?” demanded Grump. Grizelda was offended.
And as for Grouch, well, he stormed out before the message ended.

Bro Cheer and Sal together prayed, their tears were unrelenting,
As Brother Bold fell on his face while, from his heart, repenting.

When church was done, three glowing faces went to find their car.
“I just don’t get” mused Gary Grump “why they’re the way they are.”

Then Grizzie Gripe she stood and thought, for once, not so self-centred.
It seemed as though some Truth had changed her heart since she first entered.

“Perhaps they win their battles ‘cos they’ve had their battle training:
Their attitude of gratitude, while we’ve been just complaining.”

Latest Bardsong: "The Bard's Quest."

This one rated 3rd in the last FaithWriters.com weekly challenge.

Northumbria’s might, their cursèd lords,

King Ida and his pagan hordes

Would fain invade fair Cymru’s lands

And seize the wealth from Powys’ hands.

A gifted bard he went to war

And battle ‘gainst the Saxons saw.

His heart was high, his arm was strong,

Well skilled with harp, with sword and song.

Above the tumult rose his song.

He cleaved a pathway through the throng.

He stirred his comrades to the fray.

His valour helped to win the day.

Prince Owain to his father told

How bravely fought this bard so bold.

“To see him fall ‘twould shameful be

And hear his song no more,” said he.

King Urien he turned his thought

From matters of the war he fought.

“I therefore shall him show my thanks 

So bring him forth from ‘mongst our ranks.

In courts of kings his voice belongs

To us this bard shall sing his songs.”

The bard took up his harp once more

And put aside the tools of war.

He now had favour of the kings

Before them many a song he sings.

And courtiers, princes gathered ‘round

Whene’er his harp its chords would sound.

Yet fame and royal patronage

Became to him a gilded cage.

His restless spirit yearned to be

A-wandering, and roaming free,

The path to Wyddfa’s* peak to trace,

To feel the sea-breeze on his face.

The village folk to daily greet

To share with them his daily meat.

The king, reluctant, gave him leave.

“Return thou soon, or we shall grieve!”

So bidding farewell to his hosts,

His face turned t’ward the Western Coasts.

Through valleys green and wooded hill

And forests deep his voice would fill.

The villages through which he passed

They bade him come and break his fast.

Forsaking plough and milling stone

And cooking pot, they came as one,

Assembling at the village square

To hear his tales, his voice so fair.

The young ones came, with eager faces,

Crowding in at meeting places.

At jests they laughed, at sad tales wept.

Such precious mem’ries e’er he kept.

The good folk shared their dwindling meat

Though bread-pots rarely were replete.

Yet thankful and content were they

And freely gave, and brooked no “Nay.”

His heart it deeply grieved, for he

Once felt the lash of poverty.

So, oft aside his harp he laid

And for his bread in toil he paid.

“The rich may of their bounty give.

To serve them maybe I should live,

My friends, that I may wealthy be

That I may pour my wealth on thee!”

He came, one cold and stormy night,

Upon an ancient anchorite.

Though warm his cave, his pot was bare.

Good shelter, but no meat to share.

A frail, but gentle, kindly soul,

He bade him welcome to his hole.

“Though I have naught, I have no lack.

For what I give, God giveth back.”

An hungered waif with rags a-torn

Came begging here this very morn.

The last of all my meat he craved,

But when he left, his soul was saved.”

The bard his travel-bag he ope’d

But found not all that he had hoped.

A small dry loaf and crumbling cheese

Was all his hunger had to ease.

“Take this,” said he, “For I have supped

With former hosts I dined and cupped.

If God is good, then on the morrow

Much abundance I shall borrow.”

The good monk raised the gift up high

And prayed a blessing t’ward the sky.

He broke the bread and gave his guest

Not half, but thrice what he had blessed!

Likewise he blessed the crumbled cheese.

The bard then fell upon his knees.

“’Twas said Saint Dewi** dwelt herein.

Wilt thou resolve me of my sin?”

Saint Dewi shook his head. “My son,

I, too, am sinful. Only One

Can cleanse from sin, that by his blood,

Worth more than gold, for God is good.

God’s kingdom is not drink nor meat,

The whole world’s riches at thy feet.

The gift God giveth, give away,

And thou shalt find true peace this day.

Give Him thine heart, and sing His praise

And serve His kingdom all thy days.

Dost thou desire to bless the poor?

God’s heart now is thy treasure store.”

The bard went forth, his song renewed

With righteousness and power endued.

Enriched he now the rich and poor

With hymns of praise not heard before.

His best was for the poor reserved.

‘Twas said he once King Arthur served.

Called “Bard of Bards”, thus was his fame,

For Taliesin was his name.

* Mount Snowdon

** Saint David