I dedicate this one to my late father, who taught me dragons often don't live in caves, but within our hearts, and it is up to us to fight them. Please say a Hail Mary for him if you can.
The story of St. George and the dragon is told in the Golden Legend.
A dragon lived in a swamp near Silena, terrorizing the landscape with its breath of a pestilence. The townfolk fed it two sheep a day to appease it. The dragon had had enough of sheep and began pursuing human victims.
There were no substitutes allowed when the lots were drawn, so the king's daughter was designated as the next sacrifice one day. She was escorted to a swamp. When the dragon emerged, George approached and made the sign of the cross before stabbing it with his lance. He demanded the maiden's girdle, which he wrapped around the beast's neck. They returned with the dragon to town. George urged the people to be baptized and to be fearless, and then he slashed the dragon's head off. Everyone had been transformed. George turned down the king's offer of half his kingdom, stating that he would continue riding. He advised the king to look after the churches, respect the clergy, and have compassion on the poor.
He became popular in the Middle Ages, and was one of the saints revered by the Crusaders, alongside Saint Maurice.
Lyrics:
Fier chevalier, l’éclat de ton armure
Comme un soleil attire tous les yeux ;
Ta loyauté, ton âme toute pure
Nous ont conquis, et nous voici joyeux.
Saint Georges, guide-nous
Sur la route claire et belle
Saint Georges, guide-nous,
Rends-nous fermes et prêts à tout.
Garde à nos yeux
le charme d’un sourire
Quand nous souffrons
au plein de notre effort ;
Et dussions-nous souffrir un long martyr,
Tiens nos cœurs droits quand faibliront nos corps
Saint Georges, guide-nous
Sur la route claire et belle
Saint Georges, guide-nous,
Rends-nous fermes et prêts à tout.
Ô grand vainqueur, de ton séjour de gloire
Assiste-nous, quand ici nous luttons.
Conduis nos pas aux routes de victoire ;
Jusqu’à la mort s’il faut, nous te suivrons.
Saint Georges, guide-nous
Sur la route claire et belle
Saint Georges, guide-nous,
Rends-nous fermes et prêts à tout.