Chimeron's Library
Poems and Songs
Poems and Songs
Many of the songs of Chimeron were created by or for Chimeronians. Many more were created outside of our lands, either in the broader Realms or even further beyond. The following are an assortment of the songs we sing around fires, when going to war, when resting after an adventure, or simply to pass the time.
Anti-Red Chant
Written by Ryu Goldscale and Griffin Hurana
As a tool against the corrupting Red of the Fortress of Doors, 1023
Too late
Too soon
Not soon enough
Chaos compounds and is order again
I drink infinity through a straw
We unbecome the song
Your reason doesn't rhyme with mine
The answer to fire is more fire
Repeat the word
The name of the sound
It resonates in your house
Ballad of the Blue Falcon
Written by Tucker Noyes (Temorse Sorrowind)
To the tune of Muppet's Treasure Island, "Professional Pirate"
When I was just a lad looking for my true vocation,
My father said now son this choice deserves deliberation,
Now you could be a fighter, or perhaps a good old seer,
But my boy why not consider, a more challenging career!
Hey ho ho
A Blue Falcon for sure
For if ever you should see one, there will always be two more
True friendship and adventure are what we can't live without,
And when you're in the Blue Falcons,
That's what it's all about!
Now take the dreaded Talon,
The Folkstonians all despise him, but to Neden he was a hero,
And they idolized him
Its how you look at the Falcons
That makes us bad or good,
And I see us as member of a noble brotherhood!
Hey ho ho
A Blue Falcon for sure
For if ever you should see one, there will always be two more
True friendship and adventure are what we can't live without,
And when you're in the Blue Falcons,
That's what it's all about!
I could have been in Folkstone; I like taking things apart
I could have been in Grimlock but I just have too much heart,
I could have been in Chimeron, but I don't look good in green,
I could have been in Rhiassa, but it just seems too damned clean
Hey ho ho,
It's one for all for one
We'll share and share alike for you but always for a sum,
We're gentlemen of honor and that's what we're proud to be,
And when you're in the Blue Falcons
You'll be honest, brave, and free
The soul of decency
You'll be loyal and fair and on the square,
But most importantly, when you're in the Blue Falcons
You're always in the best of company!
The Ballad of Sir McKrye
By Dahal
Our story will begin in the lands up in the north
From the stories I've been told, this is where McKrye came forth
He was young and he was strong, and his spirit soared above
And he lived within his clan, and they were filled with lots of love.
And when he had returned from a vision quest alone
His family had been slain by a creature from unknown
Decisions soon were made, and this creature had to die
So McKrye followed it south to the Realms in which we lie.
Chorus
And as we walk upon the road that represents our lives
We try not to divert from the path we know is right
To fight for what you live for, to fight until you die
Time to raise our glasses high and give a toast to Sir McKrye
Now this demon that he found had flesh as tough as stone
And though he fought it well his blows would not sink home
A brave and gallant charge, a fall from quite a height
What took the demon’s life was the landing, not the fight.
Recovering from this fall took quite a while to heal
He slept for very long and his bleeding did congeal
And after he awoke he found himself a home
The Realms welcomed him here, an excellent place to roam
Chorus
Preserving what is good, protecting every soul
And to conquer all the dark was the warrior’s greatest goal
And as the darkness grew it could never be contained
And he kept it all at bay but his spirit soon was drained
His stories will be told till the ending of our lands
His memory still strikes fear in the hearts of evil bands
The love inside our hearts for the man that will not die
Take a moment to reflect on the legend of McKrye
The Ballad of Sir Pyr
written by Lady Anne
The Summerlands are rich indeed,
Though I, alas, am poorer still.
Three thousand feet of earth and stone
Entomb my knight beneath the goblin hills.
It was a fine day, and a fair day,
Snow banked white upon the land.
Beneath the peace of the wintry world
Terror lay under the frozen ground.
The earth had rent in a gaping maw
That threw forth monsters by the score.
Courage was needed to stem the flow
And find what lay beyond the cavern door.
Fell Folkstone, brave Bancroft, Chimeron true,
Fighters and healers, alike did seek
(The flower of the known Realms!)
Adventure in that fearful deep.
Sir Pyr, as wise as his heart was true,
Knew that all men must one day die.
He drew off his gauntlets of white and blue
And gave them to Gonvf, his faithful squire.
Then forth they marched, that fair brave band.
The cavern whispered with unknown sound
And ominous rumble of falling rock.
They left the light of day behind.
Into the earth's dark beating heart
Where mushrooms shine with an evil glow,
And the siren song of an ancient blade
Drew them deep to the earth below.
Then, near at hand, the awful sound
Of a goblin city, fast asleep;
Careful, cautious crept that band
Silent tread in the stony deep.
But goblins hear, and goblins smell,
And goblins see in the dead of night;
Their sentries snarled and screamed and groaned
And the goblin city roused to fight.
The battle raged on a narrow bridge
That spanned a stretch of deadly ground;
Swords slashed and arrows hailed,
But the goblin archers pinned them down.
The fighters fell by rank and score,
At last withdrew to a grotto deep
Where Tetch awoke them with a word
From the endless night of fighters' sleep.
Determined now, with fey intent
The fighters pressed their charge anew,
Hewed down ranks of the goblin horde,
Their blades were sharp and their aim was true.
Across the bridge, to the farther shore
The fighters raged like a roaring tide;
The goblins screamed as their ranks were swept
Like chaff in the wind to the other side.
Few still stood at the battle's end,
Sir Pyr; beside him, his faithful squire;
McKrye, and Carmen, but others few
Surveyed that scene of carnage dire.
Hurried now, in the quiet gloom
Their fellows' lives they thought to save;
They must be brought to the healers' care
Or meet their end in that stony grave.
Under the guardian's watchful eye
Through the portal door they put the dead
But they heard in the distant dark the sound
Of the goblin army's dreadful tread.
The quiet eye of the storm was passed,
Once more the goblins sallied forth;
Above the goblins' cries they heard
A rumble of discontented earth.
Their fellows' lives they fought to save
But goblins overwhelmed their band;
The span of bridge between them stood
On opposite shores they made their stand.
Carmen, Pyr, and Gonvf stood fast
Shoulder to shoulder against the strife.
Alone, cut off on the other side,
Desperate, McKrye fought for his life.
Then suddenly, Pyr broke the line,
Deadly flashed his ancient blade;
Fought his way across the bridge
And reached the other side unscathed.
Help came too little and too late,
Though Pyr did all his great heart could.
Snarling, slashing and unbowed,
McKrye was struck down where he stood.
And, without friend or hope or help,
Pyr was felled on the dark cold ground.
Too many the foe, too hard the fight;
Blow by blow, they cut him down.
In grief and horror, Gonvf cried out,
"My knight!" Alas, Pyr could not hear.
His bed was earth, his cloak was dust,
And stony was his funeral bier.
Gonvf and Carmen stood the last,
Back to back 'gainst the dreadful foe;
But futile was the final fight,
And finally, Carmen was laid low.
Death stared Gonvf full in the face,
But the rockslide roar his heartbeat drowned.
One last look, then through the portal leapt
As the cavern walls came crashing down.
The Summerlands are rich indeed,
Though I, alas, am poorer still.
Three thousand feet of earth and stone
Entomb my knight beneath the goblin hills.
The Battle of Rhiassa
Branwyn, Bard-in-Training
Hear you tales of bright honor
In the face of utmost despair;
These are the actions of heroes
At the Battle of Rhiassa.
Meg Quickfists led the troops
Against the Infernal Hounds.
Sylvanos the Green healed her limbs
Under the nose of the Daemon Knight.
Perron the Giant with well placed arrow,
Shot the Dogs of War, to no avail.
The Men of Rhiassa, eyes filled with terror,
Defended the tavern from the Infernal legions.
Healer Lady Dee stood inside her circle
Healing wounds as fast as they were dealt.
Cassia Skyshocker put down her spoon
And defended the circle of healing.
Lyr the Healer, stole the weapon
Belonging to the Daemon Knight.
Jianna Highrider, alone and unaided,
Searched for the weapons the daemon had stolen.
Malchor the Seer, with the favor of Oberon,
Cast fortunes to find how to slay the beasts.
Ether Bravemage sold his soul
To free Peregrine from the Gatekeeper's curse.
Peregrive the Warrior slew Hell's Champion
In combat, one on one.
Pyr Thalax lost his soul
To the Sything blades of the Dogs of War.
Judas and Peter, men from the coast
Scattered like leaves in the wind.
Carmen Barechest cried in horror
As Meg was claimed by the Daemon Knight.
Fear the sick chill in your hearts
For despite the bright deeds of our men,
Hades has beaten their spirits
And has put into danger all our souls.
Cherry Tart
Tim Smith
Well, it wasn't till her wedding day, that Cherry met her groom
And she'd looked towards her wedding day,
as going to meet her doom
so she made her mother promise, that downstairs she would abide
to give advice and council if a problem.....should arise.
Now Cherry was a country girl of worldly sights deprived
she'd never seen a man undressed in all her worldly life,
so when her husband hoisted up his shirt above his head
Cherry gave a little gasp, and sprang up from the bed.
'Oh Cherry goes tumblin down the stairs, as pale as pale can be
"OH DAUGHTER DEAR!" her mother cried,
What harm has come to thee?
"Oh me lil mother I can nae bide, as I do lay down I deed"
"for he has more hair upon his chest then fish are in the sea"
/sigh, Go back upstairs ye silly girl and don't come down again
for this is your wedding night, and you should please your man.
Cherry's husband, sensing that his haste had caused...distress
did thence decide that he would have to ...more slowly undress
and as he buttoned down his trews and slid them down his pegs.....
did in the process then unveil his two great hairy....Legs
'Oh Cherry goes tumblin down the stairs, as white as any sheet
"OH DAUGHTER DEAR!" her mother cried,
What can the problem be?
"Oh me lil mother I can nae bide, as I do lay down I deed"
"for he has more hair upon his legs as leaf upon a tree"
/sigh, Go back upstairs ye stupid girl and don't come down again
for this is your wedding night, and you must please your man.
Cherry's husband took off his right shoe, with caution, and with care
and to Cherry's great unbridled relief, twas mostly, free of hair.
and as he took off his right shoe her heart and spirits rose........
until she saw that his left foot was hacked off at the toes.
'Oh Cherry goes tumblin down the stairs, as pale as o'ercast sea
"What now you brat" her mother cried,
Why are you plaguing me?
"I can nae bide, This is too much, please do not think me daft,
but awoo the man ye've wed me to has a foot, and a half.
"Sit down, sit down me darlin girl, and pray forget your cares,
Dry your eyes and cry no more....I'LL GO UPSTAIRS!
Chimeron War Song
By Lillia
Chorus:
Spears will be shaken,
Swords will be clashed
In this battle before us!
Shields will be broken
Helms will be smashed
In this battle before us!
And though our foes are many,
And though our friends are few,
And though the odds lie against us
We will still pull through!
[Chorus]
And though we're far away
From homes that once we knew
And our bed's the cold, hard stone
Covered in the morning dew...
[Chorus]
Our arrows fly swift and sure
Like hawks to strike our foes
While our shield men will stand strong
Against any might blows!
[Chorus]
Our spears strike hard and fast
To cause our foes great pain
While our catapults fling rocks
To crush in our foes' brains!
[Chorus]
Our clerics dash on the field
To mend torn flesh and bones
While our mages will strike down
Those who muss their pretty clothes!
[Chorus]
And when the war is won
And peace around us reigns
We'll drink our ale with friends
And sing now this refrain!
[Chorus (x2)]
Darkvale
(Written by Kathy Fae) - Recording
Wild, ancient forest, deeply shaded Vale
Cliffs of caverns, stately pines and treacherous slopes of shale
Weariness and cowardice will not serve you here
Resolved, you face the unknown paths that challenge unknown fear
Venture not alone into its feral teeth
Arrows rain from high above, trolls claw from caves beneath
Darkvale demands great fortitude to siege or to defend
Destinies lay mapped out though the path may climb and wend
Unforgiving, untamed forest somehow claims the heart
Where tales of might, fantastic lore and friendships find their start
Within the bones of Darkvale’s stones lie memories and shades
Of homes and conquests wrought with flashing fury in its glades
Shadows of the past pass by ‘neath canopy-veiled skies
The Cu Gahbleane are on the march with howling battlecries
Echoed dreams of rally songs ring from the rocky walls
Highrider, Con’f, Saint Daniel call still from the tavern halls
The bog belies the bloody days when waves of peoples fought
And risked their all to claim this land, and never all for naught
For though its claws may rend you, though it try your very souls
You leave more wise, more battle-hardened, dauntless for your goals
High Road, Low Road, clifftop paths with strangeness ‘round their bends
Darkvale launches tales but its story never ends
Though the Vale be dark, where blood is thick and threats still thrive
It has no place in Darkness – it’s too terribly alive
Dead and Drunk at the Bar and Wench
By Queen Meg and Lady Anne
I came upon a dying man with goblins all around him,
So deep within the forest dark and dim is where I found him.
I offered him a drink of wine to wash away the red-o,
He asked for beer, he clutched my hand, and this is what he said-o.
Chorus:
When I die don’t bury me under yonder greenwood tree.
When I lay me down to rest, lay me where the drinks are best.
With a boon from Lady Dee, I know where I’d rather be,
Propped upon my favorite bench, Dead and Drunk at the Bar and Wench.
The Fairy King he once dropped by to raise a glass of beer-o,
But when he reached the tavern door, he could not quite get near-o,
For Lady Dee had hung a fairy stone up in the rafters,
The only thing the King got served was pints of human laughter.
Chorus
Up above the Bar and Wench our Cassia runs a brothel,
The sounds she makes on Friday nights are really rather awful.
But you won't hear our Dee complain about the grunts and groanin’,
For every head that Cassia serves, our Dee picks up a Rowen.
Chorus
They say the drow are fond of mead and like to drink a barrel.
The goblins drink the cheapest ale and love to sing and carol,
But you won’t find that kind in here, 'cause Lady Dee won’t stand it,
A scurvy bunch of drunken louts, but nary a fairy bandit.
Chorus
To house the dead the Queen will build a marble mausoleum,
And Lady Dee will charge a wench so you can go and see 'em,
But you won’t find my bones in there unless someone can tell her
To build her stone monstrosity beneath the tavern’s cellar.
Chorus
Hysterical Recreation
By Kathy Horn
Of brave knights and damsels you've read every book
On wizards and dragons you're totally hooked
You decide to give reenactment a look
To relive those old glories yourself
If medieval fantasy is what you seek
Get your character ready by the end of next week
Though our middle ages are rather unique
The Realms welcomes you
Chorus:
Death notwithstanding you'll never be bored
Learning new spells from a self-proclaimed lord
Sticking duct tape to the blade of your sword
It's hysterical recreation
Our social hierarchy is sealed and decreed
By whoever can threaten to make their foes bleed
Our noteworthy titles prolific indeed
We have denizens of every kind
Of full human parentage few of us boast
Of gentry and hybrids we have the most
With new countries popping up from coast to coast
And in your backyard
(Chorus)
So season to season you've tried more or less
To emulate codes of appropriate dress
You've taken your watch off but still you're a mess
Of rayon and lycra and tape
And your tunic and spandex are worn as can be
You lace your suede moccasins up to your knee
And join in the fantasy fashion frenzy
You'll fit right in
(Chorus)
The foul monster army is crossing the field
You're standing your ground because heroes don't yield
You're armed to the hilt with a round plastic shield
And a blade as sharp as foam
You slay a gruff goblin with a green toothy face
You're slain by a bunny in leather and lace
They drag your dead body all over the place
As you start to rot
(Chorus)
So now you'll try magic, learn a spell or two
Your books, rope and trinkets hang all over you
You want to try out every trick you can do
To show off your components and skill
So you find a poor armless guy wandering around
You rush up and pick up some dirt off the ground
Then sputter out syllables at the speed of sound
And it works somehow
(Chorus)
It's tournament day in the grey northern sleet
In raging fierce battles great warriors meet
They fire their bows using just teeth and feet
And wield fierce dinky weapons of doom
For this is the place you can test every skill
Where rope, foam and index cards muster a thrill
Where a small yellow duck is a reason to kill
So watch that flank
(Chorus)
So lace up your sneaker or lace up your boot
Come dwell where duct tape can solve a dispute
Where blue swords and roofing tins constitute loot
Where a peasant can joke with a queen
The Realms is waiting for you to explore
With dungeons and dragons and fairies and more
Our not so dark ages are yours to adore
So jump right in
(Chorus x2)
I'm Just Me
Written by Janna Flannery & Kathy Fey
Team Cimone's bardic (QoH '08)
K: I woke up one morning
To a frightened yell
They shook me awake, saying
"Cimone, this is hell.
We need you in armor
At North Gate's piece-meal wall."
So I rose from bed in Argyll
to keep her from a fall.
K: The snow was falling
As the city did that day
The blood that spilled across the fields
Signaled the start of May.
K & J: As we fled, crossing hills
Guarding Queen of them all
My (J) tears did shed for Argyll
That (J) burned with fires tall.
J: I can be loud
K: (I can be quiet)
J: I can be proud
K: (but I won't deny that)
K&J: I can still cry
when my friends die
if my banner falls
J: I'm not just a fighter
K: (not just a fighter)
J: on the front lines
K: (on the front lines)
J: I'm (and K) not just a warlord
in armor that shines
K&J: I'm not a great thinker
or a gear-heavy tinker
I'm just me...
J: When Devils of War
Assail'd Chim'ron field
I rallied our courage knowing
That we mustn't yield
J&K: A young girl cast her circle
So our forces could be healed
And (K) I stood fast to defend her
(K) wielding only my shield
J: I always strive
K: (Though I could be falling)
J: Keep Chimeron alive
K: (For that is my calling)
J&K: I'll do what's right
Win the good fight
Bravely, I'll go.
J: I'm not just a fighter
K: (not just a fighter)
J: on the front lines
K: (on the front lines)
J: I'm (and K) not just a warlord
in armor that shines
I'm not a healer
Or back-stabbing stealer
I'm just me...
J: From D'Amandes
To Faerie, to Eagles Rook
K: There's good to be done and people helped
Wherever that I look.
J & K: For the sake of their redemption
Any battle will I brave
I believe in second chances
So that all might be saved.
J: I can be mad
K: (my heart's growing fonder)
J: I can be glad
K: (my bonds getting stronger)
I can still cry
When my friends fly
For a year and a day.
J: I'm not just a fighter
K: (not just a fighter)
J: on the front lines
K: (on the front lines)
J: I'm (and K) not just a warlord
in armor that shines
I'm not prim and fancy
Don't cast necromancy
I'm not a deceiver
Or fanatic believer
...I'm Guardian Cimone,
I'm just me!
In The Mists of the Fay
by Pyr Thalax
As the gods weeped through the trees of Darkvale
We stopped our quest, our feet immersed in grime,
our bodies tired of traversing the granite and shale
and for Queen Meg’s fate, we had run out of time.
Sir Myriel, Gong, Andari and I spoke in weary tones
That the day, being poor and confusing to us,
not knowing to trust the Fay or the Demon’s groans
to free the Queen from the Staff of Earth, seemed useless.
I had come to seek the Queen’s hand, my secret love
for her I had hidden ‘til I proved myself worthy,
but I had her life, nay the Realms, to think of.
As the sun touched the western earth, I began to worry.
Sir Myriel was on another quest, one to answer
questions of her past, which I cannot speak,
but Sir Gunnar of the Fay had been there for her
Our quests had twined and had left us all weak.
We had been charmed and killed and left for dead
but had risen to more query and strife.
And as we sat we heard that the Demons fled
with the Wayland sword, and Cinnabar’s life.
We knew not to act, for trust could not be placed
on any side, but one thing became clear;
that the Wayland must in human hands be placed
else the balance of power fail and we lose all that is dear.
So we gathered our weapons to the sound of a bell;
the Fay had called for Oberon to appear
for they feared the Wayland to be brought back to Hell
and the Fay would for all time disappear.
We quickly advanced beyond the Court of the Fay
so as to reach before them the demon horde
For we know if Oberon would enter the fray,
the Realms would lose, in some way, the Wayland Sword.
We saw two Demon Princes against a tree,
engaged in talk with Cap and Ironhand.
Sir Myriel the Valiant advanced to attempt to free
The Wayland and keep it in this land.
Her discourse was long and while they spoke
Cap, Ironhand and I closed around
to make escape impossible for the Demon-folk,
and then in the distance could be heard a sound…
The Fay! They advanced with ethereal speed
And the Demons knew their time had come,
and with the power of a fiery steed
the one with the Wayland turned to run.
Cap and I closed, but were too slow,
Ironhand and Sir Myriel engaged the other with sword and shield.
I ran like lightning through shrub, leaf and bough
and saw a Hell Gate open… and Cap forced the Demon to yield.
I found my squire Gonf and follower Andari beside
And together we engaged, all help far behind.
The battle was hard; Cap in a brave attempt began to slide
to the right, but had his arms cleaved by the evil fiend.
We pressed the Demon, so Cap could not taste
a mortal wound. At last the magic poleax I held
cut through and sent it to its damned fate
And my grip eased and I watched the creature fell…
But only a moment as the creature screamed “FINAL WORD!”
We scattered so as not to catch its wrath
all at once. I pressed as Andari fell to its sword
and it cut my squire in his arm, through his fallen sash.
It turned to me, and in vain I parried its fierce attack.
I lost my arm, but held it off as time ran out
And as it died, it breacked my armor, my body fell slack
The next I knew Kilteer had brought me about.
But all was not done; with the dead we ran
past the Fay, to reach the tavern in Darkvale
for we knew only back on Realms’ land
could we bring light as the day paled.
My squire, Sir Myrield, and I brought about the right;
Kilter and Blak’s souls were returned to them,
their unwilling service to Demons ending with our fight
and all damage done to the Fay were to mend.
Perhaps we were unable to release the Queen,
but that quest will continue another day.
But Eagle’s Rook will happily, for now, sleep
knowing the Realms safe from the Demons and the Fay.
- Pyr Thalax, August 995
Little Eddy Raincoat
By Saryu “Ryu” Goldscale, 1023
~Chorus~
Little Eddy Raincoat is scared of the rain,
He won't eat his veggies and regards them with disdain.
He couldn’t read a spellbook,
and leaves Gaia’s ground defiled.
I'm telling you you couldn’t find a more pathetic child.
~Verse 1~
When he was just a young lad,
‘bout ten or so I’m told,
His mother made him take a few
steamed veggies in his bowl.
Well he found the taste offensive,
An attack in his young eyes,
And in that moment he began to
Plot Gaia’s demise.
~Chorus~
~Verse 2~
Now a smart lad would have sought out,
dark mages of the past
To see which schemes worked well and
which ones surely wouldn’t last.
But lil’ Eddy didn't do that,
I assume for lack of brains.
He thought, “well they all failed so
clearly all their spells were lame.”
~Chorus~
~Verse 3~
He took the next few minutes,
An eternity he’d say,
To craft a plan so vile it would make
the Erl King sway.
He said, “Yes! I’ll use zombies!”
(You’ll recall his lack of brains)
“No one’s ever thought of that!
There’s so much power I can gain!”
~Chorus~
~Verse 4~
But poor Eddy had a problem,
His great plan was not to be!
He forgot in all his scheming that he’d
never learned to read.
But fear not for, “Books are stupid!”
He declared audaciously, and went off
to learn magic in the woods presumably.
~Chorus~
~Verse 5~
Years later he returned from learning
necromantic arts.
His horde of zombies followed (more a
collection of spare parts).
He’d finally have revenge on Gaia’s
horrid tasting plants,
And all that stood between him and
his goals were merely ants.
~Chorus~
~Verse 6~
But Eddy didn’t realize that his end was close at hand,
For the Heroes of the Realms would not sit back and let this stand.
We’ll beat back every zombie, every
horde and every thrall.
We don’t fear you Edwyn Rainecourt
and we will surely make you fall.
~Chorus~
The March of Cambreadth
By Heather Alexander 1990
Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with polished shield,
Fight those bastards till they yield
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to keep this land your own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Follow orders as you're told,
Make their yellow blood run cold
Fight until you die or drop,
A force like ours is hard to stop
Close your mind to stress and pain,
Fight till you're no longer sane
Let not one damn cur pass by,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Guard your women and children well,
Send these bastards back to hell
We'll teach them the ways of war,
They won't come here any more
Use your shield and use your head,
Fight till every one is dead
Raise the flag up to the sky,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
Dawn has broke, the time has come,
Move your feet to a marching drum
We'll win the war and pay the toll,
We'll fight as one in heart and soul
Midnight mare and blood red roan,
Fight to keep this land your own
Sound the horn and call the cry,
How Many of Them Can We Make Die!
(repeat first verse)
Ode to Lady Anne
Written by Sir Pyr
The travel long in darkened wood
A blue-green mist enshrouds.
I would not stop, if I could,
to find slumber a’ground.
For far away my Lady wait,
the fair and virtuous Anne,
and I will push my steed until the gates
of Blackavar I stand.
Her Champion I am, the defender
of purity with a ready blade,
and narry a one will threaten her
while I fight upon this stage.
To her betrothed I am brother;
for she is as a crystal tree
we protect her, side by side for her;
beautious, kind and free.
And as I ride, I think of her
and tighten my stirrup’s grasp
for fighting I must for honor
and protect her to the last.
- Sir Pyr, Knight Commander of Eagle’s Rook, July 995
On the Field of the Fay
The darkened moon had shone the night before;
We should have known it's light would curse our fate,
For by the time the day had shed it's light
Full forty of our finest men lay dead.
The Fay they writhed in jumbled masses, leapt
Like hounds long starved for blood, at our left flank.
The mages, foul in their deceit began
To chant the spells that'd make them strong.
Our side held ground, our shining hosts repelled
The first attack. Our archers led by Blade
The knight, loosed into the Fay like wasps,
Their aim was true, their venom swift to slay.
The Duke and Healer Morgil mended flesh
From inside Magic's Circle. Ladies meet
And valorous would shuttle death to him
While guarding with their own fair forms his life.
Titania, Queen of all the Fay, would heal
The hurt of her own ranks while laughing at
Our brave attempts to stave off death, drinking
In the sight of pain and treachery like wine.
Sir Shane with his ferocious clan had picked
The right against a horde of mountain trolls.
They stood their ground, refused to fall, but stones
and boulders pelted them with deadly hail.
Out into the furious fight a mage
With head held high began to taunt our knights.
He held aloft (with bloody hands), the head
of one who had been known to Pyr Thalax.
Sir Pyr, his knighthood mocked, his reason fled,
Howled his rage and cut across the field
To meet the mage in grinding clash of steel;
Both men went down and none could bring them aid.
And now the deaths of our good friends came faster
Than a mind new burdened with despair
Can follow: Cassia hewn apart like meat
Alias poison thickening his veins.
Elindil, his ladies fallen, tears
of shame upon his cheeks, welcomed death,
while Zeke, his arrows spent, sheathed the blade
meant for his lord in his own heart.
Sir Duncan Conrad, voice turned raw with grieving
shouted his defiance to the Fay,
and fell, his squire Cedric by his side,
no match for brutal lies of face and form.
Sir Callin watched his lord Sir Jared crushed
between opposing forces, saw his squire
Kara run through from behind; his mind
refused to understand just what his eyes
could see, until they lit upon the one
for whom his own heart beat, the Queen of Chimeron.
She led her men, her sword her scepter, anointed
not in scents but blood, her robe of dented chain.
She did not see as death moved up to kiss
her wrist, but Callin saw the movement, saw
the blow, he watched her mouth his name and fall;
there are no words for grief as raw as his.
The fairies knew success was near at hand,
and pressed their front against our crumbling line.
The center folded, healers fell in waves,
though 'til the end we never broke and ran.
The Fay fell back with evil mocking laughter,
to let us heal our wounded and our dead;
'twas then we plumbed the depth of our despair,
for none were left who'd healing left to spare.
To leave the field in shame and dark defeat
was harder than to see our friends cut down,
and many of us living cursed the gods
or screamed our anger to the darkened stars.
But I, this humble chronicler could only
stand and weep as all that should be loved
and cherished; honor, friendship, loyalty
was ground beneath the boot-heels of betrayal.
Beware the thought that you, my gentle listener,
may be above the frailties of spirit
that have destroyed our treasured Realms of Wonder;
For we refused to risk too much and change
became our enemy. We lost the truth
that victory without the possibility
of defeat is meaningless,
and only sacrifice can bring you glory.
10/96
One
written by Her Majesty for Prince Robert
A solitary rose in crystal vase
Looks down upon our simple, single bed;
The covers cannot hide your solemn grace,
Nor hide the dewy sweat upon your head.
The candle's lazy flicker salves your skin
With molten shades of amber glowing gold,
While I caress the roughness of your chin
With hands that shake and cannot be controlled.
Although this rite is older still than time,
Our bodies still have newness to each other,
And we, the humble servants at that shrine
Avow, again, that we'll not take another.
Within our bed ourselves are gently twined;
We two are one in body, one in mind.
Queen of Argyll
Originally written by Andy M. Stewart
Presented as sung at Feast of Chimeron XIII
Gentlemen it is my duty to inform you of one beauty
though I'd ask of you a favor, not to seek her for awhile
Though I own she is a creature of character and feature
no words can paint a picture of the Queen of all Argyll
Chorus:
And if you could have seen her there, boys if you had just been there
the swan was in her movement, and the morning in her smile
All the roses of the garden, they bow and ask her pardon
for not one could match the beauty of the Queen of all Argyll
On that evening that I mention, I passed with light intention
through a part of our dear country known for beauty and for style
'Tis a place of noble thinkers, of scholars and great drinkers
but above them all for splendor shone the Queen of all Argyll
(Chorus)
So my lads my needs must leave you, my intentions not to grieve you
nor indeed would I deceive you, oh I'll see you in awhile
I must find some way to gain her, to court her and to tame her
I fear my heart's in danger from the Queen of all Argyll
(Chorus)
Bridge:
In the shadow of the fall of Ulster, many humans mimicked the legend of the Red Rowan and Cucullain's half-mortal son. From the fallen tribes, some arose again and populated the Mortal realm. Among the rulers of these nations was a woman of such beauty that both Cuculain and Mab were smitten with her and offered her a place among the Faerie. So impressed was she with the Fae that she took a knee to the courts and became the Duchess of Beauty - The Eternal Queen of Argyll.
Now the winter it is ended, buds bloom and the earth is mended
but I long to see the maiden with the sunlight in her smile.
I sing out now to my lady, awaken come and save me
for beauty has lost meaning with no Queen of all Argyll.
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Queen Meg's War Song
Queen Meg and Lady Dee
A fire in the hearth is nice like a lady in our bed.
The hunt is quick, the stag is fat, the hounds have all been fed,
And though there’s food aplenty, we hunger for much more,
For stories may be told of peace but songs are sung of war.
Chorus:
Time it has its turnings like the seasons of the year.
A time will come for death, but it’s idleness we fear.
Oh give us a strong leader and a lady to fight for:
It’s time we turned our plowshares into swords.
Let the knights assemble, spears glinting in the dawn.
Let the Queen take up her steel and put her scepter down.
You feel safe within four walls and with a moat around,
But I feel safer when my foe is six feet underground.
[Chorus]
We’re not sure why we’ve been called, we’re not sure that we care,
The only know that we must fight, by foul means or fair.
The peace that most men long for is a treasure we hold dear:
It’s paid for by the blood we’ve shed and the fellowship that’s near.
[Chorus]
[Repeat first verse to fade.]
The Red Branch Chronology
Written by: David Martin
Performed IC by: Sir Owen Colteor McKrye
(Inspired by "Belt of White" by [artist unknown])
(Opening)
First, remember those who came before
Great warriors all from days of yore
By Sun & Moon their honor swore
Their faces now ghostly white
Brothers in arms like none before
Honor a shield they personally bore
The prince's brother, he wanted more
Betrayed them by dark of night
They donned the belt that's black as night
Which bares the Branch both red and bright
And shown themselves to do what's right
Through words and deeds inspire
(Owen)
First to heed their call was a young Owen
with Brother Bright and Sister Brynn
For years he sought what was stolen
Then was dubbed by silent knight
As lone knight, he founded the Order anew
From abroad he gathered a capable few
And asked only 'To thyn heart be true'
He's now Commander of the knights
He donned the belt that's black as night
Which bares the Branch both red and bright
And shown himself to do what's right
Through words and deeds inspire
(Brynn)
Dame Brynn she is a loyal friend
Trusted and kind, whose morals don't bend
Ready to heal, or fight to the end
She's far greater than her height
For years she's traveled far and wide
Crossed gorges deep and oceans' tide
Until long last for home did she ride
Much to our delight
She donned the belt that's black as night
Which bares the Branch both red and bright
And shown herself to do what's right
Through words and deeds inspire
(Aeston)
Sir Aeston, he is strong of heart
With sword & shield his foes are thwart
By loyal deed he made his mark
And strengthens our will to fight
In Vine-haven he's made his home
With seeds of friendship he hath sewn
No longer lost, he doth not roam
Now serves as our first knight
He donned the belt that's black as night
Which bares the Branch both red and bright
And shown himself to do what's right
Through words and deeds inspire
(Makela)
Makela's a healer of great renown
Her selfless heart, it knows no bound
As a guar-dian, (she) serves King & Crown
And won't be kept from the fight
Example to all in word & deed
Ready to follow and able to lead
A kind spirit, she embodies our Creed
To always do what's Right
She donned the belt that's black as night
Which bares the Branch both red and bright
And shown herself to do what's right
Through words and deeds inspire
(Zula)
Sir Zula's path can be mis-understood
For doing what's Right is not always good
For this we welcome in brother-hood
The shadiest of our knights
At armies forefront he silently treads
A shadow at night that others shall dread
Dispatching of foes who should've fast fled
A blend of speed & might
He donned the belt that's black as night
Which bares the Branch both red and bright
And shown himself to do what's right
Through words and deeds inspire
Through Words & Deeds Inspire....
The Trees Grow High
Tim Smith
The trees they grow high
and the leaves they do grow green
Many is the time, my true love I've seen
Many an hour I've watched him all alone
he's young but he's daily growin
Father, dear father, ye've done me great wrong
ye've married me to a boy who is too young
I am twice twelve, and he is but fourteen
he's young but he's daily growin.
Father, dear father if you should see fit
we'll send my love to college for one year yet
Tie these blue ribbons, all around his head
to let the ladies know that he's married
One day I was lookin O'er my father's castle wall,
Saw all the boys, a playin with a ball
My own true love was the flower of them all
he's young but he's daily growin
At the age of Fourteen, he was a married man,
Age of fifteen, a Father of a Son!
at the age of sixteen....
on his grave, the grass grows green
Cruel death has put an end,
to his growin
Ubi Sunt
written by Her Majesty, Queen Meg
The nights are long, the winter chill,
The wind screams out its cry.
We gather in the flickering light
To hear the tales of times gone by.
A Prince will speak, a tale he’ll spin
Of noble deeds long turned to dust;
We’ll freshly mourn for times gone past,
For history’s glory lost to us.
He’ll say:
Where has honor gone? Where the belt?
That singly hung from noble waist?
Where once the aim of mighty men
Was simply seen and easily traced.
Where the vision, brightly shining?
Where the path so clearly laid?
Where our purpose pure and shared,
In blood and friendship equally paid?
Where the hallowed, hollowed hills
Where we were want to quest or sing?
Where the mirth and merriment
That made the timbered woodlands ring?
Where the bard whose chanting voice
Would stir the hearts of better men?
Where the verse and where the rhyme?
We’ll never hear their like again.
Gone the mead-hall, gone the cup
The fire there has long been dead
And moss and lichen gather now
Where rightful rulers ably led.
Gone the field of clashing steel,
Where rivals met with open hand.
Gone the grace and gone the skill;
Now lesser men defend our lands.
Our brightest days are long behind us
The trust I placed in you is spent
Naught remains of our finest hour
But these my words of sad lament.
I say:
I’ll not deny those days of glory
Have left their mark upon us all.
I will deny we’ve heard the last
Of honor’s brilliant clarion call.
For at this hearth in friendship clasped
I see the same, no more, no less.
True heroes of our past would know
Our glory’s now! Not lost to us!
For here sits Honor on his bench
And there is Vision’s steady gaze
And in this breast does Duty live
In all our souls bright purpose blaze!
For when we stand to face the dark
The Realm’s true strength is shown:
We keep alive the only hope
This tattered world has lately known.
The old ways are reborn in us,
Our story’s not yet ended.
So, this bard will fire your noble hearts
To keep our Realms defended!
A golden age’s not golden
From within it’s subtle glow
And we should not forget that
Midst the bitter frost and snow.
10/11/99
The Weaver
In creative reverie the weaver
sits at the loom, turning single threads
into an elaborate, nacreous pattern.
The shuttles dance under her flying hands,
inexorably driven by her mind's eye
to create the world in the tapestry.
It is time that makes the tapestry
grow, only time and the gentle weaver.
She watches her creation with a critical eye,
not stopping to fix the few wayward threads
that, unbelievably her hands
have mis-woven - these too are part of the pattern.
Despite the imperfections in the pattern
and the startling growth of the tapestry,
those magical, flying hands
are sure of themselves, while her impassive weaver's
face looks out onto the threads,
reading their meaning through an expert's eye.
The wandering of her clear, sharp eye
reveals the frayed flaw within the pattern-
one of the warping, wine dark threads
has snapped. The world in the tapestry
snags a little before the weaver,
who soothes it with the ministrations of her hands.
By chance, the littlest nail on one of her hands
severs another thread, and before her eye
its neighbor begins to unravel. The weaver
watches stolidly as her taut pattern
dissolves, one strand after another, part of the tapestry
becoming again merely many colored threads.
There is an endangered world in the tangled threads,
and before its disorder the healing hands
falter, slow and stop. The tapestry
lies still, lifeless under the gaze of that eye;
the intricate, swirling pattern
has become aimless and foreign to the weaver.
She smoothes the traitorous threads,
one eye on her shaking hands as she knots the pattern
back into the tapestry, no longer purely a weaver.
White Roses
(Written by Kathy Fey) - The Original
Golden in the dawn, sleeping in your chamber,
By happenchance I come, just a thief passing by,
Then one glance and I am captured by your beauty fair and fine;
All my heart can bear to say is, "I am thine."
The castle walls are high, but the social walls loom higher.
I wish that I could fly o'er this chasm deep and wide
For a highwayman am I, you are noble and refined,
Yet I'd change my very name if I were thine.
My love, I send to you, from my heart, pure white roses;
All that I can do is to prowl these castle grouds,
Then I see you in your tower and I make the treacherous climb
To your window just to ask, "May I be thine?"
You never are alone; your friends and guards stay near you.
They keep you in your home, all embraced in warmth and light,
While I stalk the midnight forest, wondering how to make you mine,
And I count the sleepless hours 'til I am thine.
At last the chance arrives, when you ride solo in the forest,
Unaware of all the mortal dangers lurking in the dark.
Soon I hear the cries of ambush, and I'm ready for the rescue,
As I cut down your attackers in the night.
Then at last we are alone; your enemies are vanquished,
Now all I want to know - does your heart beat true with mine?
Then upon a bed of moonlight, underneath the shading pine,
Soft you answer with a whisper, "I am thine."
The winter has been kind; you blossom now with springtime,
I'm pardoned for my crimes, and your friends are gathered by,
So we say our marriage vows and we share the sacred wine
With a promise everlasting to be thine.
Evermore my heart will sing, I am thine.
Wild Rover
Traditional
I've been a wild rover for many's the year
I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more
Chorus:
And it's No, Nay, never,
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more
I went in to an alehouse I used to frequent
And I told the landlady me money was spent
I asked her for credit, she answered me nay
Such a customer as you I can have any day
(Chorus)
I took up from my pocket, ten sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
She says "I have whiskeys and wines of the best
And the words that you told me were only in jest"
(Chorus)
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And, when they've caressed me as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more
(Chorus)