Searching For The Sangreal

Searching For The Sangreal was inspired by the book, The Quest of the Holy Grail, which was composed by an unknown author in 13th century France, and was translated into modern English by Pauline Matarrasso, published by Penguin Classics in 1969. Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, published in two volumes by The Penguin English Library in 1969, was another book I thought of when I wrote my ballad. The Once and Future King by T.H. White is the best modern version of the tales of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, I think. This is a new recording of a song I wrote in 1986.

Searching For The Sangreal
Farewell, my lord, King Arthur,
this may be my last farewell.
I go on the quest you gave us,
I go searching for the Sangreal.

This task is great you gave us,
one so worthy of our name.
I’ve a token of my true love
for I may never see her again.

Searching for the Sangreal,
our Lord’s Holy Grail.
Searching for the Sangreal
in my shining mail.

Sir Galahad you dubbed me
all at your fair table round.
A dragon’s head I gave thee
that I slew on dark, burning ground.

Searching for the Sangreal,
our Lord’s Holy Grail.
Searching for the Sangreal
in my shining mail.

I stand before a tower,
it shines ruby, sapphire light,
and I walk across the drawbridge
and kneel before tall angels bright.

Farewell, my lord, farewell, my lord,
this is my last farewell.
i achieved the quest you gave us,
I have seen the Sangreal.

Responses

  1. Such a telling lyric on the page, Philip, and quite haunting in song! I think you captured well the quest as you wove it all genuinely in exposition, while wrapping it potently pure in its tale.

  2. Thank you very much for your encouraging comment. I am glad you like the tune of my song. Nights In White Satin by the Moody Blues is one of the great songs from the 1960’s, I think. They made good use of the mellotron. If a mellotron could be tuned to sound like a lute, it would fit my tune.