Songs of the Realms

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

I am creating this thread and asking all you people for help. I am trying to compile all of the songs of the realms into a thread for the use of myself, and other bards on the server. Longearmage was good enough to post 'The Cormytes Boast' for us, but I am looking for them all. Anyone know of any songs from novels they have read, or old 2e sourcebooks from FR? If you have them please post here!

-V

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

I'll start us off with one from Volo's Guide to the North.

Wind by the Fireside

So as you shiver in the cold and the dark,
Look into the fire and see in its spark--
My eye
Watching over you.

As you walk in the wind's whistling claws,
Listen past the howling of the wolf's jaws.
My song
Comes to you.

And when you're lost in the trackless snow,
Look up high where the eagles go.
My star
Shines for you.

In deep, dark mine or on crumbling peak,
Hear the words of love I speak.
My thoughts
Are with you.

You are not forsaken.
You are not forgotten.
The North cannot swallow you.
The snows cannot bury you.
I will come for you.
Faerun will grow warmer,
And the gods will smile
But oh, my love, guard yourself well--
All this may not happen for a long, long while.

-Author Unknown

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Jonstan the Rover

Clippety-cloppety, bold Jonstan the Rover
Rides misty-eyed down to the Dales again
Into forests and fields, rare beauty all over,
Land of his true loves - Aldee, Imthra, and Luthane,
Elda and Myrta, Chalantha and Araine.

Will he find yet another? Or be welcomed back?
Long lasses aplenty catch his winking eye.
Is it kisses he`ll taste soon? Or scorn everlasting?
Love and laughter and soon away Jonstan will fly.
Cone again over threshold and under dawn sky.

Far across Faerun, a rover adventures free
'Til the Dales call his heart home again
To Jhaele, Sharune, Aleese and Rythree.
Warm arms and hearth and a roof 'gainst rain
'Til his wandering feet bear him away again.

Climbing far mountains, riding in high clover
To Waterdeep and the shores of the Shining Sea.
"Hark! Comes now bold Jonstan the Rover?
Will he, oh will he ever come back to me?"
The Dales call back the man wedded but free.

Clippety-cloppety, bold Jonstan the Rover
Comes riding down into the Dales again.
Their forests and fields, rare beauty all over,
His true love more than all the maidens in pain.
My man is riding mist-eyed to the Dales again.

-Jaladha Tshamryl
Minstrel of Battledale

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Here is an actual list of known songs, I have been trying to google them, any help is appreciated.

A Dove At Dawn 1329 Ardreth, High Harp of Berdusk
Another Battle Comes The Morn ? Unknown
Ballad of the Gallant Wastrels ? Unknown
Ballad of the Shadow Storm ? Unknown
Ballad of the Wayfarer ? Synder Gallowglass, the Minstrel of Many Roads
Dark Lass Gone Away 1364 Unknown
Death To All Mages 975 Bendoglaer Syndrath, Bard of Barrowhill
Ever Is Weather ? Unknown
Fall of the Company ? Felestin the Bard
Great Changes Aborning 1332 Mintiper Moonsilver
Helms Full of Blood ? Unknown
In a Dark, Dark Wood ? Unknown
Jonstan the Rover ? Jaladha Tshamryl, Minstrel of Battledale
Last Lament ? Unknown
Lost and Hapless ? Unknown
Lost Princess Road ? Unknown
Many Meetings c. 1115 Unknown
My Lady of Shadows 1364 Inder Braelen
My Lady of the Moonlight ? Unknown
Nine Stars Around a Silver Moon 1338 Mintiper Moonsilver
Oh, Come Let Me Sing ? Unknown
Raise Another Glass of Cheer ? Unknown
Rhyme of the Road 1359 Revendar the Far-Travelled
Safe Behind Blackbarn's Shield ? Unknown
Salute to Victorious Warriors ? Unknown
She Walked Out On the Waves ? Unknown
Song of the Border Ride 1327 Master Bard Misrath Oorlem
Starfall Pool ? Unknown
Tears Never Cease 1330 Halindar Droun, Bard of Beregost
Tears On a Crystal Ball 1366 Shandreth of Highmoon
The Ballad of Blacksaddle ? Laetha the Wanderer
The Ballad of the Dreamweaver c. 1320 Talanthe Truesilver
The Bold Knight and the Terrible Wyrm ? Unknown
The Cormyte's Boast ? Master Bard Chanthalas
The Dragon Cried ? Unknown
The Dryad and the Gargoyle ? Unknown
The Fireside Song of Old Adventurers ? Unknown
The Knights of Dragon Down ? Unknown
The Last Ride of Roelvelar Windgauntlet ? Unknown
The Lonely Hunt ? Unknown
The Ride of the Lion ? Unknown
The Rider O'er the Moon ? Unknown
The Shining Crown ? Unknown
The Sun Comes Up Again ? Darbrukk Syndylver
The Wandering Wyrm ? Aldersound Bucklebar, the Halfling Minstrel
The Warlock King ? Unknown
The Witch of the Far Cold Hill ? Unknown
The Wizard's Tune ? Unknown
Trollsong ? Unknown
When Mages Go to War 1332 Angarn Dunharp
Wind By the Fireside ? Unknown

**Crossed out titles signify someone else, or myself has researched and posted the song, or at least part of it that is available. I have found that some of these only exist in part.

[moulinous]

this might or might not help...kinda cool none-the-less....
www.geocities.com/Vienna/2662/bardin.html

[longearmage]

Songs by Danilo Thann of Waterdeep:

Elminster's Jest

There was a knight who longed to wield a more impressive lance
To carry into battle, and to aid him with romance.
A wizard overheard the knight and granted his request.
The knight at first was overjoyed to see how he was blessed.

Chorus:

Hey there, ho there,
A lesson's coming through:
Be careful what you ask for--
For your wishes may come true.

The knight went to a revel with his weapon thus enhanced.
The lance made dining difficult and tripped him while he danced.
The next day at the tournaments he won the jousting meets,
For all who faced his fearsome lance fell laughing from their seats.

Chorus

The knight romanced a lady who admired his staff of oak.
They'd scarse begun their gentle joust before the staff had broke.
The knight sought out the wizard, who replied when brought to task,
"Your wish bespoke how long it WAS, and not how long 'twould LAST!"

Chorus

Repeat chorus if possible, run if necessary.

The Ballad of the Zhentish Raiders (only two stanzas)

They're far from staid after a raid
Those men of Zhentil Keep;
They kill off all the women
For they much prefer the sheep.

The men don't eat their ill-got treat;
Not one of them's a glutton.
So isn't it a marvel
That they always smell of mutton?

The Death of the Paladin

We've come to mourn the paladin,
That best and noblest sort of man.
His way was clear, his will was strong,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.

Alone he faced the orcish hoard
And, dauntless, raised his mighty sword.
He did not flinch, he did not blink,
He surely did not stop and think.

The halls of Tempus open wide.
Our paladin is led inside.
He shares with all his righteous creed
And frowns on wenching, ale, and mead.

So do not mourn this hero's death
Though of his strength you are bereft.
If you must weep, weep for the god
Who must endure the tiresome sod.

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Thanks longearmage, anyone else with knowledge of forgotten realms songs, please post what you find. Again, I am looking for songs printed in 3e, 2e sourcebooks and novels.

-V

[DM Justicar - Creator of FRC]

Excellent thread and idea. Thank you. I will see what I can do to help.

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Untitled Dwarven Chant

Tunnels too tight,
Tunnels too low,
Better run goblin,
'Cause here we go!

Every bumps a goblins head,
Pools of blood from the goblin dead.
Run, good dwarves, push that toy,
Squish the little goblin boys!

-Clan Battlehammer Dwarves
from 'The Legacy' by R.A. Salvatore

[moulinous]

Moonlight’s Triumph

Along Selûne’s path they did walk,
Leaving no stone unturned.
A battle fought, all but six were lost,
A final triumph earned.

A nether tide swept down the pass,
In search of silver plunder.
Two hundred strong the mists did cloak,
Ready with waiting thunder.

Arching shafts flew aloft in flocks,
And boulders rained down on the field.
The tuskers’ blood ran red and hot,
While nary a blade did they wield.

From yonder bluffs did lightning strike,
Reaving a scarlet furrow.
By Art lived, by reflection lost,
Freestaves laid forever low.

With cries of rage the orcs did charge,
The battle joined at last.
The waves were dashed upon the rocks,
And none did ever pass.

Five score did fall upon each blade,
Ere the nether tide receded.
And of the rocks that stood so firm,
Only bloody sand postceded.

Along Selûne’s path they did walk,
Leaving no stone unturned.
A battle fought, all but six were lost,
A final triumph earned.

Excerpt from "Moonlight Paean"
Composed by Mintiper Moonsilver
Year of the Moonfall (1344 DR)

[moulinous]

Leaves of Gold

Autumn’s turning yields leaves of gold,
A mantle fit for woodland kings.
Wood nymphs weep cold tears of sorrow,
And yet the fair Hamagess sings.

commonly recounted poem
attributed to Mintiper Moonsilver
Year of the Moonfall (1344 DR)

[moulinous]

Myth Glaurach

No more do lovers pledge their troth,
Or gaze upon the stars.
No more do children sing and dance,
Or dream of lands afar.

(CHORUS)
For all about are bloody bones,
And shattered dreams now lost.
A sea of orcs sought only death,
Myth Glaurach was the cost.

No more do towers soar aloft,
Or cast their shadows deep.
No more are stones made into walls,
To form a sturdy keep.

(CHORUS)

No more do fields turn gold with grain,
Or wells yield water blue.
No more do tomes hold cherished lore,
Or teach old thoughts anew.

(CHORUS)

ballad entitled "The Horde’s Wake"
attributed to Mintiper Moonsilver
Year of the Arch (1353 DR)

[moulinous]

Trail of Mists

Ga ‘nomes went in, ga ‘nomes went out,
Now look at ga fields all about.
Ga men of course get all ga ‘lory,
Forgotten again, same old story!

(CHORUS)
We may be here, we may be there,
Like men of course we’re everywhere!
We may be fair, but so are elves,
Ga People, see, are just themselves!
We may be stout, but so are dwarves,
At least we’re not afraid of wharves!
We may be small, but so are hin,
At least we have hair on our chin!
We may be fierce, but so are orcs,
At least we do not taste like pork!
We may be here, we may be there,
Ga misty trail runs everywhere!

Ga ‘nomes went in, ga ‘nomes went out,
Now look at ga trees all about.
Ga elves of course get all ga ‘lory,
Forgotten again, same old story!

(CHORUS)

Ga ‘nomes went in, ga ‘nomes went out,
Now look at ga gems all about.
Ga dwarves of course get all ga ‘lory,
Forgotten again, same old story!

(CHORUS)

Ga ‘nomes went in, ga ‘nomes went out,
Now look at ga pipes all about.
Ga hin of course get half ga ‘lory,
Forgotten again, same old story!

(CHORUS)

Ga ‘nomes went in, ga ‘nomes went out,
Now look at nothing all about.
Ga orcs of course get all ga ‘ory,
Oops, not our fault, and not our story!

(CHORUS)

gnome drinking ditty entitled "Ga Nomes"
blamed on Mintiper Moonsilver
Year of the Boot (1343 DR)

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Wow, thanks Moul.
Where did you come by those songs?

[moulinous]

I am a web junkie when it comes to Forgotten Realms. The archives have some cool stuff on the wizards site. I see you already hit up Candlekeep so i will check a few others later.

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

The Horns of the Far Elf Realm

As I walked that grim battlefield forlorn
I heard a distant, haunting elven horn
Calling o'er high hills beyond the moon
Calling from a land I'll find soon

Braceldaur, where elves still stand proud
Blowing their horns, sounding them loud
Calling to thee, calling to me
Calling to all who burn to be free

Braceldaur, where the lost trails run
Lost in mists, in shadow, in sun
Land of beauty, land so green
Bright and far in dreams I've seen

Braceldaur, fore'er awaiting me
Reached by paths I cannot see
Soft blue mists, dark standing trees
Darker eyes watching through leaves

Find it I must
In it I trust
Braceldaur, my life I bind to thee.

-Unknown Minstrel
Recounted by Tasar Taurntyrith

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Stanza from 'The Ballad of Blacksaddle'

And now the swordsmen raise their steel
And now they bring their blades down
Brigands scream and chargers reel
As a nomad crown comes crashing down

-Laetha the Wanderer

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Title Unknown

The High Forest was their home.
They flee, they fly, they roam.
The orcs, the orcs are everywhere
And soon they'll all be living here.
Away you go into the wood
To find out why, as if you could.
Do you know what you'll find there?
Pain, confusion, and despair.

-Nuial Treestrider

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Oh Come Let Me Sing

Oh, come let me sing of
Olothontor the Old.
Music in thrall this lone
wyrm doth hold.
If you would live to see
sunrise again,
Sing long of love, and
loss, and pain.
Sing as you've never
sung before,
And alive you may be
gently shown the door.

-- Stanza from "Oh, Come, Let Me Sing," a Harper drinking ballad of anonymous collective authorship

OOC Note: Darkharp and Mynian are working on server specific version of this song, about heros/villians/creatures from the server, so look, or rather listen for it

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Excerpt from 'My Lady of Shadows'

For those who enter
Rundreth's gloom
Go willingly
to waiting doom.

-Inder Braelen
Year of the Wave

[moulinous]

The Horns of The Far Elf Realm

As I walked that grim battlefield forlorn
I heard a distant, haunting elven horn
Calling o'er high hills beyond the moon
Calling from a land I'll find soon
Braceldaur, where elves still stand proud
Blowing their horns, sounding them loud
Calling to thee, calling to me
Calling to all who burn to be free
Braceldaur, where the lost trails run
Lost in mists, in shadow, in sun
Land of beauty, land so green
Bright and far in dreams I've seen
Braceldaur, fore'er awaiting me
Reached by paths I cannot see
Soft blue mists, dark standing trees
Darker eyes watching through leaves
Find it I must
In it I trust
Braceldaur, my life I bind to thee.

[moulinous]

Even street urchins in Waterdeep know this fragment from The Ballad of Blacksaddle, by the minstrel Laetha the Wanderer:

"And now the swordsmen raise their steel
And now they bring their blades down
Brigands scream and chargers reel
As a nomad crown comes crashing down"

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

The Fireside Song of Old Adventurers

Swords once sharp now gather dust
Much oil and work fight creeping rust
Where once we had no time to care
Reaching for battle brave hands bare

Our lances shone back brighter sun
Our coffers groaned with treasure won
Proud names we held o'er many lands
Proud lords bowed to our commands

Then dragons raged and died fierce
As keener, sharper blades did pierce
Swung by bolder, stronger men
Wine and laughter both sweeter then

So long ago, in fading dreams
Sometimes fancy it all seems
But by this sword, ‘tis all true!
Laugh? This old blade will answer you!

Foolish, blind, young and proud
Or I'll rise yet, and we shall see
If you'll ever live as long as me.

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

The Shining Crown

A wise old man to me did frown
Asking: where is thy shining crown?
I see its rightful place upon thy hair
Where right now rests but empty air

Chorus:
Over the next hill
Over the ridge
Through deep forests
Across lonely bridge

Far afield waits a shining crown
Gleaming riches, great renown
There but to reach and take
If ye'll only stir and wake

(Chorus)

To horse! Mount and ride
With good shield and high pride
A little courage, a little luck
Grim slogging and pluck

(Chorus)

Better to have reached and lost
Hopes withered as by winter frost
To leap up again, high and far
Than to sit alone in a quiet bar

(Chorus)

My old tired eyes no longer shine So why not try? Strive and die
My hands are weak; far too much wine No disgrace the bards will cry
And little weaponwork—yet I’ll fight Ye just might win a shining crown
Old wolves can still, defiant, bite Bring the mighty crashing down
And talk your talk not so loud

(Chorus)

It lies yonder, o'er far-off hill
It waits for those who boldly will
Come a-seeking with ready blade
A shining crown for heroes made.

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

The Lonely Hunt

Don't look back
Just draw your blade
Down dark track
The kill is made

Don't shout out yet
Just follow the cries
Time enow to laugh and bet
After the foe snarls and dies

Run and wave blade blood-wet
Down the trail of dancing bone
To the place where death is met
We all rush-and come there alone

Don't, no don't look back
There's never time for that
Just add more meat to the sack
And grow old and wise and fat

Until the day the death is thine
And you face the gods alone
Few folk find enough time
To take their wanted throne

So raise now the sparkling wine
Drink it deep, while you can
Gods grant you smile at its shine
Remembering the hunt you ran

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

In a Dark, Dark Wood

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Something lurked and pounced and stank
As it prowled to and fro

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Under the hanging tree
A lost man one morn did go

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Dropped the beast fangs agape
Upon the poor lost one below

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Teeth clashed and teeth slashed
One more skull a grave to show

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Came a young wizard lass
Spells to cast, Art to grow

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Sorceress and something darker met
And o’er both fear settled low

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Fangs sought the maiden's blood
She gasped out a spell none still know

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Crawled something dark and fanged
With a lady’s face and a smile just so

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
It hunted with claws and jaws
Or spoke spells fast and low

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
The old sorceress built a tower
Beside the way the road did go

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Those who found her castle empty
Missed her, lurking in bones below

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Those who found the lady home
All her charms and graces did know

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Those who stayed with her too long
Saw her shape slip, and knew their foe

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Many a traveler lost his way
And cried out in fear and woe

In a dark; dark wood
Oh so long ago
Would he meet smile or fang?
Beforehand, none of us e'er know.

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Raise Another Glass of Cheer

Chorus:
The night draws on and sleep is near
I draw another glass of wet cheer
If I close my eyes I dream of you
And see again the high hall
The kneeling knights, my proud throne
The vaults of gold, the bowls of gems

(Chorus)

The banners proud, the armies vast
Chambers of riches too many to count
All this my own, under my proud feet
Until the day we chanced to meet

(Chorus)

I gave it all up, I threw it all away
To win your love, your smile, your hand
But you left me in cold disarray
To wander hard roads until today

(Chorus)

If I close my eyes I dream of you
And betimes, when I've been good
I dream you love me as I do you
Your smile lights the dark night into day

(Chorus)

And then I fear I always wake
And find myself alone
If you are lost, forever gone
I'll sleep and know your love again

(Chorus twice, second time slow and grandly
sad)

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

The Wizards Tune

Build a fire to harp at twilight
In a circle of old standing stones
Dance by the fire under watching moon
Call up the old and waiting bones

Draw a circle in a dusty old tomb
A circle of flame on cold grey stone
Talk to wizards dead and kings long gone
Lore to learn and spells to hone

Walk in shadows, in worlds so strange
The senses reel, the blood crawls
Hurl spells at twisted things of claws
Until the last one flees or falls

Raise a tower proud and high
Rule lands as hair goes gray
Write tomes of awesome might
Is it all worth it? Who can say?

Walk doddering into the last days
Weave the air into flowers or light
Try to remember more, fading spells
To make children laugh in delight

Hear them gasp, see them smile
Look into their dazzled eyes
Which will grow to wizardly might?
Smile, and never tell them it's all lies.

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

The Bold Knight and the Terrible Wyrm

The dragon was old and its scales were gray
It snored and ached, and was heard to say,
Where's my might, that now is gone?
What’s the point in carrying on?

The knight was young, his blade so bright
But at first dragonroar he shook in fright
And screamed, So large! I never knew!
Hide me, spare me! My challenge I rue!

The dragon yawned and said, Down blade!
Toss away daggers and sit in the shade.
Did you bring cold and foaming beer?
Haven’t had a good chat in many a year.

The knight's mouth fell open, and down went
he
Gabbling, As it happens, I've a keg with me!
So the sun went down behind the hill
And if they're not snoring, they're talking still.
(Repeat)

-Harper Ballad

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Last Lament

My life goes on, down endless days
It's been too long since I've seen your smile

And now darkness around me doth close
Far off I can hear you singing

Death comes for me, with thirsty swords
It's been too long since I've seen your smile

No way out, doom comes to me
Far off I can hear you singing

If the gods would hear me, I'd cry out
It's been too long since I've seen your smile

I never meant to fall by you unseen
Far off I can hear you singing

It comes swiftly now, sweeping me away
It's been too long since I've seen your smile

Everything fades, and I am gone
Far off I can hear you singing

Mourn me not, my dear love, though
It's been too long since I've seen your smile

Far off I can hear you singing
Sing high, sing clear and then listen, dear
You'll be hearing me, long after I'm gone
In your dreams, my voice will live on.

(Softly)
Far off I can hear you singing
Through my tunes, my voice lives on

-Harper Ballad