All of the Bards are Leaving
Words and music by Dawnya N. Thill


     G                                      C               D
It's late now, it's nearly morning, and the crowd is waning fast
   G                                     C                D
My tavern stands nearly empty, I and the Minstrel are the last
       Em               C             G                 D
I will pay for one last song, as I've done every time before
      E                     F            C               D
And I say, "Play here again soon," as he walks out of my door.

	    G                    D                  C           D
	For all of the Bards are leaving, there are fewer every year
	    G                D               C               D
	And if they do not return, pray what shall become of cheer?
	          Em        F               C             D
	There's a change in the wind and it carries them along
	     G                          D              Em        F
	Pray Lord, what shall become of music when the Bards are all gone?
	        Em
	Are all gone.

The Bards have not come for ages and this town has nigh forgot
The patrons here in my tavern drink their ale, quiet and distraught
Something buzzes on the air, nothing like music I recall,
Soullessness of this thing offends.  I tear the plug from the wall.

	For all of the Bards are leaving, there are fewer every year
	And if they do not return, pray what shall become of cheer?
	There's a change in the wind and it carries them along
	Pray Lord, what shall become of music when the Bards are all gone?
	Are all gone.

My Patrons don't seem to mind now that all of the magic's gone
They listen in drone-like wonder to their MTV god's wont
Harps lie broken on the floor and the stories remain untold
Even I can barely recall all the heartfelt songs of old.

	For all of the Bards are leaving, there are fewer every year
	And if they do not return, pray what shall become of cheer?
	There's a change in the wind and it carries them along
	Pray Lord, what shall become of music when the Bards are all gone?
	Are all gone.

Today I saw my dear Minstrel, a broken man lived in his eyes
I asked him for an old ballad, seemed to take him by surprise
"Friend," said he, "We've gone the way of magic, innocence and fae."
Then he smiled, "But here's one last tune before I, too, fade away."

	Final chorus:
	    G                    D                  C           D
	For all of the Bards are leaving, there are fewer every year
	    G                D               C               D
	And if they do not return, pray what shall become of cheer?
	          Em        F               C             D
	There's a change in the wind and it carries them along
	     G                          D              Em
	Pray Lord, what shall become of music--