Heartwood Oath

Before the dust remembered names

One mighty oak held back the plains

Its roots drank deep where rivers slept

While weary souls beneath it wept

Bessamy carried hope in hand

One small shoot across the sand

She gave it light and let it grow

Not knowing grief would shape its soul

(Lead)

Stand, O Heartwood, stand through flame

(Choir overlaps)

Ela vaelor... silar nael...

(Lead)

Guard the lost who speak no name

(Choir overlaps)

Ela vaelor... silar nael...

(Both together)

Root and river, oath and rain

Carry sorrow, break the chain

The blight awoke beneath the ground

It stole the well without a sound

The keeper fell with empty hands

The oak stood silent in the sands

Seventy winters scarred its frame

Each wound became another name

Axes broke and bullets sang

Still the ancient branches sprang

(Lead)

Stand, O Heartwood, stand through flame

(Choir overlaps)

Ela vaelor... silar nael...

(Lead)

Guard the lost who speak no name

(Choir overlaps)

Ela vaelor... silar nael...

(Both together)

Root and river, oath and rain

Carry sorrow, break the chain

When Nell gave water

To the final seed

The earth remembered.

Roots awakened.

The springs returned.

The oath was heard.

Now the canyon knows its tread

Where burning bark and rifles bled

One last seed within her hand

One last promise for the land

Though its roots no longer roam

Every touch becomes its home

Till the hidden seal is torn

Hope will rise where dust was born

(Lead)

Stand, O Heartwood, stand through flame

(Choir overlaps)

Ela vaelor... silar nael...

(Lead)

Guard the lost who speak no name

(Choir overlaps)

Ela vaelor... silar nael...

(Both together)

Root and river, oath and rain

Carry sorrow, break the chain

(Both — crescendo)

From the ash the forests grow

From one small seed the rivers flow

Ela vaelor...

Forever grow.