I had the good fortune and honor of becoming Jararvellir Archery Champion in June of 2013. When I went looking for archery songs and found none, I decided that needed to be remedied. Set to the tune of Bound For To Go – The Jig of Slurs by Michael Greiner, with his kind permission. Presented at the Warriors and Warlords XX bardic circle.
“Bás roimh aitheantas” means “death before recognition” in Gaelic. It began as the personal battle cry of one of our archers and was quickly adopted by the rest of us.
Our loyalty is legend Our focus is complete An archer’s eye is keen and clear Our heart knows no retreat With wood and horn and sinew We fashion up our pride And keep it with a steady hand Ever at our side (Chorus) For we’re bound to the bow Hang a quiver at your side Loosing arrows far and wide We’re bound to the bow And we’re bound to the bow Guided by the Griffin’s Light Bás roimh aitheantas! is our cry We’re bound to the bow From breaking of the dawn To the gloaming of the eves We hunt in perfect silence And stalk our prey with ease A breath upon the wind And an arrow finds its mark Tonight our kinsmen feast on boar Or deer or hare or… shark! (Chorus) And on the field of battle O’er all that we can see With strength and skill we pin our foes With grim efficiency And when the Captain calls us We send a deadly clout Our arrows fletched in black and gold To route the bastards out! (Chorus) And we’re bound to the bow Guided by the Griffin’s Light Bás roimh aitheantas! is our cry For we’re bound to Yes we’re bound to Ever bound to the bow!