[Year #2] A Collection of Winning Song Contest Entries
November 16th, 1997
Second Place Clearspring's Unnamed Song By Clearspring I sat on the walltop of blessed red stone While the sun sank below the horizon unknown I gazed at the trees, colored rich for the reason Of bidding farewell to the warm summer season ~ * ~ The last fingers of warmth touched my sensitive nose And tendrils of light streaked the sky gorgeous rose Heaven and treetops met in a flutter Rustling the leaves of red, orange and butter ~ * ~ The sun bade me goodbye, and I watched it go It flashed once and suddenly then did I know The summer had come and gone once again Preparations for winter would begin soon, then ~ * ~ For that is what autumn is, after all, Summer is leaving when leaves start to fall And winter is coming, so best you be ready If chill weather lasts long and the snowfall is steady ~ * ~ As I sat on the walltop of sandstone deep red A thought of the wanderers entered my head Those with no homes, to speak of, at least Where did they go for a mid-winter feast? ~ * ~ Just then an idea blossomed in me, Of course, they all has a place the could be A place they can rest, then leave 'gain to roam A place known as Redwall Abbey: my home Used with permission Third Place The Warriors Sword By Iris Streambattle A star from the heavens, blazing with light, Plummeted down to the ground one night. It buried itself deep inside the sand, Where a hare on patrol, who had seen it land, Found it and brought it to the Badger Lord Who pounded it into the shape of a sword. All through the night, as the forge fires burned, The badger recited the names he had learned. Of warriors brave, who had fought for the truth, Warriors from stories he had learned in his youth. And then, with the final hammer blow, He spoke one last name, a name that we know. A noble hero, loved by all-- Martin the Warrior, founder of Redwall! He wrapped it in barkcloth to keep it safe. And the new, shining weapon to Martin he gave. The rest of the story I'm sure that you know. With each new adventure, the sword's fame would grow. Many warriors carried it, all strong and true. And now, on this day, I shall give it to you. Be brave young warrior, wield this sword well. And someday your story in song we will tell. Used with permission Winter of Reflections
February 1st, 1998
Second Place My Story By Clearspring I was born on a warm spring eve In a tiny river den Our home along the River Moss Was happy way back then My mother called me Clearspring And my pa agreed My brothers 'n' I were best of friends Insep'rable, indeed Then came the summer to the wood Hot weather did it bring We swam about in my dear river 'Twas such a change from spring Then up the coast one day had sailed Some seascum in a ship They thrashed their way inland and said "Yer gonna take a trip!" Our paws were bound with rawhide strips They marched us day and night I cried, I was so frightened Then my brother decided to fight The vermin had outnumbered him At least three to one He lay there, hurt and bleeding, And the searats found it fun We were dragged aboard their scummy ship And shackled to the oars They cracked the whips and pounded drums Screaming, "Row and row some more!" The moans and groans of all the slaves Hurtled 'round inside my head A single tear ran down my cheek As I thought of my gentle bed The ship traveled down the River Moss Getting closer to the sea But then the Cap'n howled in fear, "The fever, it's got me!" Panic erupted among the crew Then spread down to the hold 'Twas Dryditch Fever on the vessel First it took the old Those who'd survived th'first wave of death Abandoned ship for shore The slaves could not, for they were chained As Dryditch killed some more Then a mouse, weak with disease Filed away my chains With others who that mouse had saved I ran, aching with pains I found my family on the beach Each one too weak to walk We stayed together all night long To weak to even talk The mists of dawn gathered round us all And seeped into our souls And when it cleared it took my fam'ly To walk on grassy knolls I weeped, for now I was all alone And my family, they were dead Grief was raging in my heart, The fever in my head I stayed upon the sandy beach But walked along the shore I lost all sense of space and time Remem'bring 'bout before Then out on their patrol one day From the mountain came two hares With pikes ready to fight a foe And check for vermin lairs They found me wan'dring all alone They took me to a place Of care and warmth and soothing words To cool my fevered face After weeks of dedication By many unknown friends I woke in a bed, one clean and soft And I knew I was on the mend I've lived at Redwall for seasons now But often do I roam And just the other day I visited My much belov'd first home I sit down on the river bank With mem'ries in my heart With ma and pa and brothers dear Never shall we part Used with permission Third Place A Winters' Day By Iris Streambattle Morning breaks, the snow is falling, Down from grey and cloudy skies. Dibbuns running, jumping, calling, Smiles are shining in their eyes. * Bundled up in scarves and jackets, Out of doors is where we go. Making an unearthly racket, Out to frolic in the snow. * Throwing snowballs, building snowmice, Though we're freezing, we don't care. Playing in the snow is so nice, Joy and laughter's in the air. * All too soon the night is falling, I can't see beyond my nose. Mother Mellus now is calling, "Get inside before you're froze!" * Though it's night, the fun's not over. Now in Cavern Hole we stay. Singing songs and telling stories, A perfect end to a winters' day! Used with permission Spring of the Whispering Willow
June 21st, 1998
Second Place The Redwallers' Song By SarahRose of Noonvale Inside our abbey Made of red stone We always know That we have a safe home All of our friends, With spikes or with fur They all work together Each him and each her We tend to the fields And the Abbey's Great Hall We care for the forest Winter, summer and fall The Abbey gives shelter To those old and young And even the Dibbuns Who love to have fun We fend off the vermin So evil and mean Then bury our comrades Tears wash our faces clean The cooks are our saviours They work day and night To feed all us goodbeasts What a terrible plight Otters and hedgehogs Moles, mice and hares Bankvoles and shrews All pull their share And now, as we feast In the new, gentle spring We look all around us And to give thanks, we sing: No matter how far Or how long we shall roam We will always come back To fair Redwall, our home. Used with permission Third Place The Day Today is Nameday By Bronwyn The day today is Nameday, Like any morn' in spring. A day to laugh, a day to dance, And to hear good creatures sing! For when the day is over, When Redwallers take to bed, We'll have a name for our rebirth, For the season ahead! Used with permission Summer of the Changing Tide
September 27th, 1998
Second Place Snitter's "Ode to Scoff" By Twap Kangaroorat All hares were born to scoff, y'see, An' who'd know more 'bout that than me? T'think, they're askin' "want some pie?" When nobeast loves pie more than I! I'd eat a ton o' fresh-picked salad, About them scones I'd write a ballad. An' when it comes to October ale, Ferget the glass; bring me a pail! Roasted chestnuts are jus' fine, But candied chestnuts are divine! An' ya know there's nothin' in the world I wouldn't Do fer a bowl o' that Autumn fruit puddin'! A gel can do wi' swiggin' cider, It puts a warm feelin' down inside her. But there's nothin' right now I'd like better than Some strawberry cordial an' a blackberry flan! An' oh! When it comes to a feast o' the year, There's nothin' that ever sets off such a cheer From me, the eater of all that is baked, As a wonderful, crispy, carrot-y cake! Yes, I've scoffed some vittles in my time, Enough to write a thousand such rhymes! But one thing I'll say afore I runs off- Hip, hip, hoorah! Let's hear it for scoff! Used with permission Third Place The Mousemaid and the Wanderer By Iris Streambattle In a cottage by a river Lived a mousemaid sweet and fair. Living all alone for seasons, Always she was happy there. * But on a cold and wintry morning, A wand'rer came along the way. Bold and dashing, brave and handsome, Stole the young maid's heart away. * "Please let me in," the wand'rer said, "I feel so hungry, tired and weak. It's freezing cold; the wind is blowing, Rest and shelter do I seek." * She let him in and gave him shelter, Food and drink and a comfy bed. But when spring came, she knew he'd leave her, And so to him these words she said: * "I love the, sir, I tell thee truly, Tho' my house is humble, small, Together we could be so happy! Stay with me for now and all." * But he just laughed, "You are far sweeter Than any mousemaid I could name. But spring is here and I must leave you, The wanderer's blood runs in my veins. * I shall miss you, gentle mousemaid, And your cottage by the river bank. But it's time that I be moving on now, And for your kindness I thee thank. * Perhaps we'll someday meet again, If fate does not keep us apart, Until then I will hold the memory, Of you deep inside my heart." * The mousemaid wept but could not stop him, Slowly he prepared to leave. But then she had an inspiration That would stop her heart to grieve. * "Have your travels in the warm days, Roam the green and sunlit land. But come to me when days grow colder, Held by winter's icy hand." * He laughed and kissed her on the forehead, "Mousemaid you are sweet and smart! I'll come to you in winter's fury, Until then, keep me in your heart." * Together there they passed each winter, Until that happy, glorious day Her handsome, dashing wand'rer told her He finally had come home to stay. Used with permission |