Mine is a bold and windswept life
A-wandering through this land -
I judge the world by my own law
And I live by my own hand
And if you ask me how I dare
To dwell so carelessly -

My song, my love, my minstrel's heart
Are my authority!

My mother was a spinner of song
My father a dreaming man
I have flown on the dragon's wing
And danced on holy land -
I've sung the flowers up from the ground
The raven from the tree ...

My song, my love, my minstrel's heart
Are my authority!

Once I was bound and fettered fast
By toil and mortal law -
But the ones who preach a god of slaves
Can their own bleak rantings draw!
I'll ask ye not for word nor leave
Rule yourself but let me be!

My song, my love, my minstrel's heart
Are my authority!

Then while I breathe this glorious air
An outlaw I'll remain
My body will not e'er be subdued
And I will not be saved!
And dare the fates to still my song
They have no claim on me!

My song, my love, my minstrel's heart
Are my authority!

That song, my love, and my minstrel's heart
Are my authority!

For my song, my love, my minstrel's heart -
Are my authority ... !