The Daughter Of The King

I was getting to that stage of life where a lot of my friends were having babies and there were lots of discussions about what different names mean and I often got asked what Olwen means. To which I rather sheepishy reply 'White Footprint', which always needs more explanation: According to the Welsh folk tales - the Mabinogion' - Olwen was the daughter of the king of the giants and everywhere she walked, white flowers grew in her footsteps. I always thought it was a rather silly thing to be called, but one night I had a bit of a revelation and this song was the result.

She was beautiful as morning dew
Her hair was golden as the sun
Where she walked, pretty flowers grew
She was the daughter of the king
Now I may not be pretty as the day
And my hair might always be a mess
But I know that it is true
That I am the daughter of the king

The king of kings
And all I want to do is sing for him

She was wedded to a prince from distant land
He travelled far to win her hand
He was in love with maiden fair
She was the daughter of the king
Now I am in love with the prince of peace
The glory of heaven his throne
He laid down His life, that I could be his bride
Now I am a daughter of the king

The king of kings
And all I want to do is sing for him

Their wedding feast was an elaborate affair
It lasted a month and a day
At the end of it all, he held he in his arms
She was the daughter of the king
There’s a banquet that’s laid up in heaven for me
And one day I’ll sit there I know
We’ll be together for all eternity
Now that I am a daughter of the king

© Olwen Ringrose, 2004