Gareth Jones Songs
Album Six
7.Once A King (3:09)
In 2012 the remains of Richard the Third were found buried under a carpark in Leicester. His popular
reputation rests much upon his depiction by Shakespeare. This song is sung from the perspective of
Richard and explores his frustrations and annoyance at how he is remembered – but celebrates his
high profile!
Play Song
Once A King
Once a king, I was once a king
Now interred beneath this stone
Once a king, I was once a king
Now I`m just a pile of bones
Staggering round on Bosworth field fearing for the worst
Offering my kingdom to anyone with a horse
They caught me and they killed me
And they left my corpse to fester
Until some monks from Grey Friars
Buried me in Leicester – yay!
Once a king, I was once a king
Now interred beneath this stone
Once a king, I was once a king
Now I`m just a pile of bones
I think I had a bad rap from the actors at the Globe
They said I killed the princes, but no one really knows
I thought I was effective, but my image became tainted
I blame the Bard of Avon for how I have been painted – huff!
Once a king, I was once a king
Now interred beneath this stone
Once a king, I was once a king
Now I'm just a pile of bones
My body wracked, my crooked back stuffed into the hole
Until I was found and moved to the local cathedral
I had a fancy funeral some five hundred years later
The raising of my profile makes me feel much better – yeah!
Once a king, I was once a king
Now interred beneath this stone
Once a king, I was once a king
Now I'm just a pile of bones
I look with some affection on the actors who have played me
From Olivier to Guinness, and McKellen through to Spacey
Over thirty of them, I should really take some credit
No king who was so vilified sold so many tickets! – wow!
Once a king, I was once a king
Now interred beneath this stone
Once a king, I was once a king
Now I'm just a pile of bones
