The First Wife's Promise
I was no more than sweet sixteen when I was whisked away
to a foreign wet land, promising promises that only death could break.
Death broke and broke and he lay there weak and broken as the promise
"promise me...promise me you'll marry Henry" he whispered.
I promise, I promise, I promise
anything for you my love, my sweetheart, my beloved.
I promise, I promise, I promise
no matter what, even as I'm thrown into poverty
my dowry missing, my clothes no longer fit, no food on my plate.
I promise, I promise, I promise
And so here I was, standing before the world
swearing to only love this boy and he to me
slipping a ring on his finger and whispering
"I promise, I do"
I promise, I promise, I promise
on my sweet virginal lie
I promise, I promise, I promise
as we lie together and make a child
as I sit on the throne as your queen
I promise, I promise, I promise
There have been others, I am no fool.
But they come and go and I'm his only
as promised to one another
our holy marriage vows.
I promise, I promise, I promise
I'll try harder, I'll pray longer
I promise, I promise, I promise
anything for a boy, a prince for
my childish king, a sweet babe in the cradle, please
I promise, I promise, I promise
That whore! With her shiny black hair
and her glittering black eyes
smirking down at me as she wraps her arms round him.
My husband! Not yours! We're married!
I promise, I promise, I promise
it was not consummated, you were my first
I promise, I promise, I promise
don't take Mary away my daughter,
don't send me away as if I'm nothing, I am queen!
I promise, I promise, I promise
Screw you! I feel like shouting
as I put my fake smile and declare myself
as his loyal wife and nothing more, the smile I wear
as I'm sent away, banished, gone forever as he marries her, the whore.
I promise, I promise, I promise
I am a good daughter of the faith
I promise, I promise, I promise
I'll remain so even though our holy father is banished
our beautiful churches torn down and broken like his promise
I promise, I promise, I promise
I lay here alone, bleeding, broken
like shards of coloured glass shattered across the dewy grass
he is out there, dancing with her, dressed brightly in yellow
as I mourn for my broken life, my broken promise.
Forgive me Father; for I have sinned
I have kept a promise