new year s day dawning wet on britain s shore king s hall roused by a pounding on the door a giant knight dressed in green never seen before hefts an axe and holds it high and lets a challenge roar you craven men may fear dishonour but you fear my vengeance more that s fear that chills you like a wraith and it s doubt you gird about your waist it s rare the man who ll hold to faith and face me in the morning sir gawain pagan prince of northern isles shouted shame on you brothers on your silence took the axe and struck his blow brought the giant low raised his head and held it high and met the giant s eye and cried i ll meet your vengeance in a year and we ll see who will die you or i that s fear that chills you like a wraith and it s doubt you gird about your waist it s rare the man who ll hold to faith and face me in the morning summmer gone and gawain leaves upon his quest five point star a sign of faith upon his chest seeks his foe travels west not knowing where to go no clue until a baroness has promised aid to show but only if he stay as guest within a vow of three days no less that s fear that chills you like a wraith and it s doubt you gird about your waist it s rare the man who ll hold to faith and face me in the morning she plays the maid but vain the baroness hope gawain s not swayed another lady holds his oath she offers body offers land but each advance is spurned she puts a belt into his hand a gift of magic earned by constancy in the face of all temptation to his given word  that s fear that chills you like a wraith but hope you gird about you waist it s rare the man who ll hold to faith and face me in the morning new year s day dawning wet on britain s shore gawain meets the same green knight once more a man who laughs and gives his hand instead of charance fee gawain at last percieves his god and bends a reverent knee take and wear my lady s belt the green man gladly cries and see to it you serve as well in all the paths of life be constant and be faithful wear that belt for all to see that a man came here for justice and he left here blessed by me left here blessed by me left here blessed by me 