From the recording Album - Lady of the Fountain
The story of King John's daughter Joan and Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, that has completely touched my heart - first through the writings of Sharon Kay Penman in her book Here Be Dragons, and later by the wonder of Garth Celyn, the home of Lady Joan and Llewelyn.
Lyrics
Far from her father’s court she was suddenly a bride
She rode a gallant horse with a stranger by her side
With a smile as a token she set off on her new life
She the English king’s daughter, now Llewellyn’s wife
Her father was King John, never wrongful in her eyes
She was his chosen one to bind Welsh and English ties
This marriage to a Welsh prince would keep the crown in tact
Scarcely into womanhood when the made the marriage pact
Green grows the tall grass on walls of ancient of tides
Where footsteps last forever
On the salt banks, and on hillside
In a foreign land when she spoke her Norman tongue
The people spoke in haste over what their prince had done
But Llewelyn held her high and as the seasons past
Much to all surprise, theirs was a love to last
Darkness filled the sky between Llewelyn and King John
Lady Joan caught between as wife and daughter and as time went on
It tore her heart in two, so impossible to choose
Yet stronger than kingdom walls is the love they knew
Green grows the tall grass on walls of ancient of tides
Where footsteps last forever
On the salt banks, and on hillside
Lady Joan died too early on a cold Candlemas
In the walls of the abbey Llewelyn mourned his great loss
His tired heart was heavy but steadfast as Llanfaes
In his three remaining years he burned the candle bright
Green grows the tall grass on walls of ancient of tides
Where footsteps last forever
On the salt banks, and on hillside
This is my favorite story, it’s of Lady Joan and Llewelyn
From the sands of Llanfaes, to the refuge of Garth Celyn
Wonder fills the wind across the great marshland
Restless now to tell their tale I bid you – take my hand