The road was long and the road was hard,

And the sky was cold and grey:

The dead white moon was a frozen shard

In the dim dawn of day:

But thief and harlot, king and guard

Warrior, wizard, knave and bard

Rode with me all the way.

The wind was sharp as a whetted knife

As it blew from the wet salt seas;

The storm wind stirred to a ghostly life

The gaunt black skeletal trees:

But I drank the foaming wine of life

Wine of plunder and lust and strife

Down to the bitter lees.

A boy, from the savage north I came

To cities of silk and sin.

With torch and steel, in blood and flame,

I won what a man may win:

Aye, gambled and won at the Devil's game

Splendor and glory and glittering flame

And mocked at Death's skull-grin.

And there were foemen to fight and slay

And friends to love and trust:

And crowns to conquer and toss away

And lips to taste with lust:

And songs to keep black nights at bay

And wine to swill to the break of day

What matter the end be dust?

I've won my share of your gems and gold

They crumble into clods:

I've gorged on the best that life can hold:

And the Devil take the odds:

The grave is deep and the night is cold

The world's a skull-full of stinking mould

And I laugh at your little gods!

The lean road slunk through a blasted land

Where the earth was parched and black.

But we were a merry, jesting band

Who asked no easier track:

Rogue and reaver and firebrand

And life rode laughing at my right hand

And Death rode at my back.

The road was dusty and harsh and long

Crom, but a man gets dry!

I'm old and weary and Death is strong

But flesh was born to die:

Hai, Gods! But it was a merry throng

Rode at my side with jest and song

Under an empty sky.

I've heard fat, cunning priestlings tell

How damned souls writhe and moan:

That paradise they can buy and sell

For gold and gold alone:

To the flames with scripture and priest as well

I'll stride down the scarlet throat of hell

And dice for the Devil's throne!

I faced life boldly and unafraid

Should I flinch as Death draws near?

Life's but a game Death and I have played

Many a wearisome year:

Hai! to the gallant friends I made

Slave and swordsman and lissome maid

I begrudge no foot of the road I strayed

The road which endeth HERE!