C F G
King Arthur's knights they filled the table round,
F G
Save for one who stood before them.
C G
For once without a weapon,
F G
For once he stood in shame.
C F
The trial's charge was treason,
Dm G
And betrayal of an oath.
C F
And should his guilt be proven,
Dm G
Death would fall on traitors both.
C F G
The knights would counsel Arthur's hard decision.
C F
And Lancelot, his head held high said,
Dm G
"I'm tried for love of Guinevere.
C
My crime was love."
C F G
The first to speak was Kay with sharpest tongue:
F G
"He is a man like any other.
C G
The word of Kings command him,
F G
His heart does not obey.
C F
For all his strength and boldness,
Dm F
This knight's spirit is too weak.
C F
His crime has no excuses,
Dm G
And no favours may he seek.
C F G
The laws of Kings don't bend and can't be broken."
C F
And Lancelot, his head held high said,
Dm G
"I stand for love of Guinevere.
C
For pride in love."
C F G
"I know this knight right well," spoke bold Gawain,
F G
"And he has ever stood beside me.
C G
With steel he's answered insults,
F G
Defended chivalry.
C F
And oft this man contended
Dm F
For the honour of your wife.
C F
His actions were not proper,
Dm G
But should not cost him his life.
C F G
His service past should earn of you some mercy."
C F
And Lancelot his head held high said,
Dm G
"I fought for love of Guinevere.
C
I'll fight for love."
C F G
Sir Tristan spoke, "I love my uncle's wife.
C F
For her I gladly suffer,
G
She is my heart's delight.
F C
Isolde, the one who tempts me,
F G
And she for whom I'm pure.
F C
My love for her confounds me,
Dm G
And is all of which I'm sure.
C F G
I understand my brother's contradictions."
C F
And Lancelot, his head held high said,
Dm G
"I cry my love for Guinevere.
C
I've cried for love."
C F G
Spoke Galahad, the purest of them all:
F G
"Have no fear of predilection.
C G
For though he is my father,
F G
He is my source of shame.
C F
He joined in sinful union
Dm F
With my unbeguiling mother.
C F
And for all his claim at virtue,
Dm G
He has gone and bed another.
C F G
The laws of God declare this act damnation."
C F
And Lancelot, his head held high said,
Dm G
"I lie in love with Guinevere.
C
I've lied for love."
C F G
As Arthur wept, he called the wrath of heaven
F G
On the lovers who'd betrayed him.
C G
On the knight he had called 'brother'
F G
Thought worthy of his trust.
C F
On the queen who'd hid deception,
Dm F
Yet could say she loved him still.
C F
For lost innocence and beauty,
Dm G
And in justice for their guilt.
C F G
King Arthur knew the only price for treason.
C F
And Lancelot, his head held high said,
Dm G
"I'll die in love with Guinevere.
C
I'd die for love."