Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
There was a lord they called Maltete
Among the great he stood so tall
On poor folk trod he like the dirt
None but God could hurt him at all
[Pre-Chorus]
With a grace of prayers sung loud and late
Many a widow's house he ate
Many a poor knight at his hands
Lost his home and narrow lands
[Chorus]
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum
The poor man's God is watching still
Deus est Deus pauperum
[Verse 2]
He burnt the harvests many a time
He made fair houses heaps of lime
Whatso man loved wife or maid
Of Evil-head was sore afraid
[Pre-Chorus]
He slew good men and spared the bad
Too long a day the foul dog had
E'en as all dogs will have their day
But God is strong as man I say
[Chorus]
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum
The poor man's God is watching still
Deus est Deus pauperum
[Bridge]
A valiant knight men called Boncoeur
Had hope he should not long endure
He gathered to him much good folk
Hardy hearts to break the yoke
[Verse 3]
He knew Maltete loved gold right well
Red gold and heavy truth to tell
A squire new-come from over-sea
Clad like a churl went privily
[Chorus]
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum
The poor man's God is watching still
Deus est Deus pauperum
[Verse 4]
Ten leagues away a man there is
Who seemeth to know but little bliss
And yet full many a pound of gold
A dry well nigh his house doth hold
[Pre-Chorus]
That very night I make my vow
The truth of this mine eyes shall know
Then spoke an old knight in the hall
Who knoweth what things may befall
[Chorus]
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum
The poor man's God is watching still
Deus est Deus pauperum
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
The western sky was red as blood
Darker grew the oaken-wood
Thief and carle where are ye gone
Why are we in the wood alone
[Chorus]
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum
The poor man's God is watching still
Deus est Deus pauperum
[Verse 5]
Boncoeur it was with fifty men
Maltete was but one to ten
Grace shall ye have Boncoeur said
All of you but Evil-head
[Verse 6]
They brought him to the house again
And toward the road he looked in vain
Lonely and bare was the great highway
Under the gathering moonlight grey
[Chorus]
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum
The poor man's God is watching still
Deus est Deus pauperum
[Outro]
The great lord called Maltete is dead
Grass grows above his feet and head
A carle's sheep-dog certainly
Is a mightier thing than he
Deus est Deus pauperum
Deus est Deus pauperum