The Cost of the Crown - Mercedes Lackey

"The Cost of the Crown" - Mercedes Lackey

A song sung from a Queen's perspective about the duties of the Crown.

I own nothing in this video. All credit goes to rightful owners. Not intended for monetary gain. For educational and entertainment purposes only.

[metalmadness]

Perhaps the most caring monarch is also the saddest.

[golf_supa]

Uneasy The head that wear The crown.- William Shakespear

[seekerseraphimtherecluse]

All those gorgeous paintings, I am ascended to heaven.

[hibamk]

This song always makes me cry. Damn being a real king/queen is NOT easy.

[MatthewVanston]

Being the leader of one's whole nation is no different than being the father/mother of one's family. It is a heavy responsibility placed on one's shoulders, for the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, even the needs of oneself. Countless souls count on you for their survival. Acknowledging that would sure make one's mind restless.

[robertlewis]

One point: the picture at 2:54 is Guinevere, after losing Lancelot. Not ideal, though it fits without that context.

[speedmph]

A fantastic song, and one that our leaders, even now, should heed. A head of state should look to his people before himself. I dare say in our democracies, they look more to appease the masses to grasp onto their power for fearing that they might lose all they have attained.

[taniashushanvd]

I don't think any of us imagines how difficult and stressing is to be a queen. Many people depend on you and you should know what to do at all times. If you take a bad decision it's technically your fault, but none of the people of the kingdom told you their opinion, so technically it's their fault too. I don't know if I explained it well, but basically I don't like the idea of the queen being alone.

Actually, I'm writing a story where my sister and I are princesses but we don't know it because we were separated from our parents at a young age. When we finally discover it, all the people of our kingdom expect us to be like our mother, but we are not since we have never been educated in how to rule a kingdom. So part of the story is of us discovering the ways of being good princesses.

[ThePlayfarer]

What a lovely song, thanks for posting.

[tashjubilee]

This is a beautiful video set to a song I have loved for years. Wonderful choices!

[Codatronic]

He or indeed she who brings light and happiness to the lives of people is also often the one concealing most pain.

[eliotreader]

hearing this I can't help thinking about our Late Queen

[giacomopalmeri]

The stars are very beautiful, above the palace walls,
They shine with equal splendour, still above far humbler halls.
I watch them from my window, but their bright entrancing glow,
Reminds me of the freedom I gave up so long ago.
The royal circlet of bright gold rests lightly on my brow,
I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow.
But once I took the crown to which I had been schooled and bred,
I found it heavy on the heart, though light upon the head.
Although I am the head of state, in truth I am the least,
The true Queen knows her people fed, before she sits to feast.
The good Queen knows her people safe, before she takes her rest,
Thinks twice and thrice and yet again, before she makes request.
For they are all my children, all, that I swore to defend,
It is my duty to become both Queen and trusted friend—
And of my children high and low, from beggar to above,
The dearest are my Heralds, who return my care with love.
The dearest are my Heralds, swift to spring to my command.
Who give me aid and fellowship, who always understand
That land and people first have needs that I may not deny—
So I must send my dearest friends to danger—and to die.
A friend, a love, a child—it matters not, I know indeed,
That I must sacrifice them all if there should be the need.
They know, and they forgive me—doing more than I require,
With willing minds and loving hearts go straight to grasp the fire.
These tears that burn my eyes are all the tears the Queen can't shed,
The tears I weep in silence as I mourn my Heralds dead.
Oh gods that dwell beyond the stars, if you can hear my cry—
Amd if you have compassion—let me send no more to die!

[yiwanchen]

This song really touched my heart.😢 Thank you for posting this and sharing it with us. ❤ the song!

[LilDemona]

I just love this song and this video is one of the best I've seen.

[Kpimpmaster]

Being a ruler is more then power and authority

[archerblade]

I first heard this song from night core so I looked up the original version then I found this. I just finished watching some clips from Fate Zero which makes me feel this song even more.🙁😞😟.

[afreakazoid]

minor correction: at 3:03, it says, "oh gods that dwell beyond the stars", not "oh god who dwells beyond the stars"

[michalsoukup]

This reminds me so much of Honor Harrington. Being a navy captain she is both "herald" to her queen and a queen to her crew.

[criptideancia]

I can't believe I'm actually crying lol