The Yeomen of the Guard by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

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No. 16: BALLAD (Fairfax)

"Free from his fetters grim"

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Click on picture to enlarge — Leonard Osborn as Fairfax, c. 1950

Fairfax.

Free from his fetters grim —
Free to depart;
Free both in life and limb —
In all but heart!
Bound to an unknown bride
For good and ill;
Ah, is not one so tied
A pris'ner still, a pris'ner still?
Ah, is not one so tied
A pris'ner still?

Free, yet in fetters held
Till his last hour,
Gyves that no smith can weld,
No rust devour!
Although a monarch's hand
Had set him free,
Of all the captive band
The saddest he, the saddest he!
Of all the captive band
The saddest, saddest he!

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