Snippets from the Bard Book of Aina Riverhead – Pt. II
July 273
As war rages on, Aina continues to do her best to support nearby people in the ways she knows how. Folks imagine that boosting morale requires jovial tunes and war music, but Aina retains her penchant for the soft and gloomy. Sad music in sad times is a balm for the soul, can make people feel seen. This was true for her, at least.
—
Below are some relevant snippets from her Bard book: the first is a dark but silly song lampooning Khulgar Graytide, to be sung as a taunt; the second is a lighter song about a laborer’s unsuccessful attempts at gainful employment with various groups in Mardrun, until he eventually finds the Golden Hand for a happy ending (no, not that kind of happy ending); the third is Aina’s transcription of a traditional Ulven funeral pyre song.
KhUlGaR_1_
When I came back from the warring clans,
I didn’t have a thing where my balls used to hang,
But I had rock chompers and a fine harangue,
Now I’m a fucking hero.
[Chorus:]
Warsworn give me the salute!
Useless curs of ill repute.
Slay your kin, start calamity;
If you wanna be a hero follow me!
and now the boys all envy me,
I fought for Stonetooth supremacy,
With nothing but air where my balls used to be,
Now I’m a fucking hero.
[Chorus]
Clash of iron, voices thunder,
I love our Ulven torn asunder,
I’m a two-timing ball-less wonder,
Now I’m a fucking hero.
[Chorus]
By the Hackles there’s a spot,
Where the corpses of my brothers rot,
So proud of my spineless lot,
How can I be a hero?
[Chorus]
Troubles in Mardrun_2_
I went to the Great Phoenix,
Thinking that they’re rich.
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
I’m a bit unaware,
But could try to sell your wares…?
Or I can pick and shovel too…?
I can pick and shovel too…
I went to the Broken Blade,
Looking for a wage.
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
I cannot fight nor drink,
But I know how to sing
I can pick and shovel too…?
I can pick and shovel too!
[Chorus:]
O mercy me, O mercy my,
I’m selling what no one will buy,
When your troubles are so deep, you cannot eat or sleep
See when your troubles are like mine!
See when your troubles are like mine.
I went to the Ravens next,
Dressed in my blackest best.
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
Well I can barely read or write,
But I can cook alright
I can pick and shovel too!
Pick and shovel too…
I went to the Einherjar,
Hoping to be their star.
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
While I cannot hunt nor fish,
I could stand on the ship?
I can pick and shovel too…
I can pick and shovel too.
[Chorus]
I went to the Order fifth,
Still trying to find my fit.
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
Well I’m open to a romp,
Far away from that curséd swamp,
I can pick and shovel too,
I can pick and shovel too
I went to the Blades of Sol,
Begging for a role
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
Well I usually don’t pray,
But I do work for pay.
I can pick and shovel too!
I can pick and shovel too!
[Chorus]
Then I asked about the Fate,
With their mission so great,
Folks said, ‘son, it’s no can do’
They’ve been hidden since the raid,
Off in some magic Glade.
I can pick and shovel too…
I can pick and shovel too…
I went to the Golden Hand,
And saw them work the land.
They said, ‘son, what can you do?’
I can harvest and bail,
I can lay down some trail,
I can pick and shovel too!!
I can pick and shovel too!!
O mercy me, O mercy my,
Poor me, they finally have hired!!
O my troubles ran so deep,
I couldn’t eat or sleep.
I hope my troubles will decline!
Now will my troubles decline.
Traditional Ulven
Funeral Pyre Song_3_
(not titled)
Raised to love the daybreak of the living,
You must seek to be one with the night,
Your embodiment of lupine fury,
Bathing in Gaia’s flaming light.
We strive and we strive for our names
to be carried on forward.
And again and again do we send
our own to see the Wolf.
Between our bindings of honor,
There are paths to make us whole once more.
You are walking among the tree shadows,
To embrace that which lies in store.
We strive and we strive for our names
to be carried on forward.
And again and again do we send
our own to see the Wolf.
Blind, we’re acting out structures,
Older than we’ll ever know.
Journey, O Journey!
Keep rising out of the pyres!
We strive and we strive for our names
to be carried on forward.
With honor, go onward we send
You to see the Great Wolf.
[Chant 2x:]
Ai! Fara fram, Fara fram, Fara fram.
Out-of-game Footnotes
1: This song is a heavy modification of “Luang Prabang” by Dave Van Ronk. That song is in turn based on the much older “Byker Hill,” an English folk mining tune.
2: Verse lyrics fully original. Melody and modified chorus lyrics are from “Troubles” as covered by the act Anna & Elisabeth in 2015; however, this is an older folk song, attributed to Kilby Snow, approx. 1930s.
3: Lyrics heavily altered, melody largely preserved from the song “The Roses” by Jonathan Hultén.