Bercht[a|old]'s Ballad

as i was out a-walkin' in the dark and misty wood
i met a woman hunting and i knew her aim was good
as witnessed by the animals she'd taken for her prize
and hurriedly i ran to hide myself then from her eyes

i didn't hear a single sound arising from the brush
so silently she stalked the ground through branches full and lush
and when she came upon me hiding deep within a cleft
"hello!" she cried, a-laughing at me, dignity bereft.

as i was out a-calling on my friends along the road
i met a man familiar as all the winds that blowed
he sidled on beside me with a knowing little grin
but never could i place him 'til "hello!" he said again

and still was i mistaken as to who this man could be
so thought i that his sister a-hunting i had seen
i said that i had never seen such twins as were the two
he laughed again and told me that my guessing days were through

the goddess of the wild hunt had caught me in a chase
this twin that i conversed with now was but her other face
beyond the old divisions that humanity employs
this archetype beseeched me to let go and enjoy

so sing you i this story as we sit around the fire
we'll have another round of drinks and mock the world entire
and then we'll toast to fallen friends and friends we've yet to make
and choose to live our triumphs just as loud as our mistakes