Donna’s Lament

[Verse 1]
The smoke still clings to the morning air
Like a ghost that won’t let go
Ash falls soft on broken stone
Like a bitter winter snow
I sailed from distant Eastern lands
With secrets in my hand
Now I walk these ruined halls
In a burned and broken land

[Verse 2]
I hear the guns of the Redcoat line
Rolling through the hills
Thunder came—but it came too late
To silence all these ills
My brothers sailed the Baywhar Babe
Through storm and fire so true
But no brave sail nor cannon’s roar
Could bring me back to you

[Chorus]
Oh Strongcastle, my Strongcastle
You stood when all would fall
Your voice was steel, your will was flame
You gave your life for all
And I would trade these victories
For one more moment’s breath
To hear you call my name again
And turn aside from death

[Verse 3]
I learned the ways of distant lands
Where silk and spice are gold
And words can bend the hardest hearts
If wisely bought and sold
But even all my cunning there
Could not have kept you near
Now I use it just to bear
The weight of all my fear

[Verse 4]
Richard stands with a hollow gaze
Mark won’t meet my eyes
David wears a crown of ash
Where brighter glory lies
We won the field—but what is won
When hearts are torn away?
A kingdom built on sacrifice
Still weeps at end of day

[Verse 5]
You told them “Stand,” you held the line
When the dark came crashing through
And even as the Redcoats broke
Your strength at last withdrew
They say you looked with quiet peace
Or maybe soft surprise
As if you saw beyond the veil
In those fading eyes

[Chorus]
Oh Strongcastle, my Strongcastle
You stood when all would fall
Your voice was steel, your will was flame
You gave your life for all
And I would trade these victories
For one more moment’s breath
To hear you call my name again
And turn aside from death

[Bridge]
The banners rise, the war is done
The bards will sing your name
But songs can’t warm a child’s hand
Nor ease a father’s flame
Let them cheer the ending
Let them praise the cost—
I’ll walk these silent battlements
And count what we have lost

[Final Chorus (soft, stripped down)]
Oh Strongcastle… my Strongcastle…
The echoes fade away
Your war is done, your watch has passed
But mine begins today
And I will carry all you were
Through every breath I take
For love like yours does not fall…
Even when hearts break

Haunting female voice, epic folk ballad, sorrowful mourning father, subtle Eastern  motifs, slow build,piano and strings