Trained in war, but against killing,
Dorsai born and Dorsai trained,
Michael went out on the star road
To find his work and avoid fame.

    Chorus:
    Music has a strong magic
    With longer reach than shining steel.
    Soldiers respond to the calling,
    Puppets to the pipers' skill.

Michael de Sandoval of Dorsai
Played the pipes with verve and skill,
Just a milit'ry band master
Yet he is a Dorsai still.

    Chorus:

Trapped by honour in a castle
An army camped before their door.
Bandmaster, old man and four Dorsai
Prepared to win or fight no more.

    Chorus:

Michael had forsworn killing weapons
But knew this time he had to fight,
And so he took and primed his bagpipes
And strode into the morning light.

    Chorus:

So Michael strode out in the morning
His pipes a-skirling loud and clear.
He played the melody "Su Madre"
Insult clear for all to hear.

    Chorus:

And when the enemy did slay him,
They were in turn put to the sword.
The army split and fought each other
The piper still controlled the cords.

    Chorus:
At last the battle it was over
Four Dorsai searched among the dead,
And found the milit'ry bandmaster
Raised high in honour at the end.

    Chorus: