So, the release of the D&D Beyond Mobile App beta has gotten me reading the PHB cover to cover again and I've contemplated playing a Bard (if I can get a group together, everyone in my town seems to have a group already) and I wanted to take my RP to the next level and actually learn some songs to sing/hum at the table. I'm also contemplating learn to play the lute, but that may be beyond my means.
Anyhow, here's my problem: all the good bardic-style songs I can find are very grounded in their specific setting, Tamriel, Westeros, where ever Dragon Age takes place, but nothing D&D-based. I was wondering if anyone had composed some tunes based on the lore of the Realms or anything generic enough to fit in.
I HAVE found one tune, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrikm3Of-EU) (I had posted this quarry on ENWorld to cast a wide net) and it isn't bad, but most bards would now more than one song. Does anyone have anything else? Please and Thank You!
There's nothing stopping you from poaching songs from other sources and insisting they were originally sung by a famous rock gnome bard from Waterdeep or pirates out of Luskan (or whatever). Part of the fun of FR is the whole world is such a complex "kitchen sink" that anything can make sense as coming from the world! Listen to some Dropkick Murphys, Pogues, or Alestorm for some shanties!
Oh man, I know that feeling. There are a few here and there in setting lemme copy paste the ones I've found. Also, maybe we could start a thread to add our own songs, too?
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
-------------------------------------
A Toast to Waterdeep
Here's to the City of Splendors Deep water where the edge of the sea Meets rivers of gold; all the coins ever made Flow past — gods, throw some to me!
(A traditional toast, sung in the taverns of the Waterdeep)
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.
Here we have some attributed to Danilo Thann, the bard in Elaine Cunningham's wonderful books.
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.
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!"
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)
-----------------------------------------------
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.
Oh man, I know that feeling. There are a few here and there in setting lemme copy paste the ones I've found. Also, maybe we could start a thread to add our own songs, too?
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
-------------------------------------
A Toast to Waterdeep
Here's to the City of Splendors Deep water where the edge of the sea Meets rivers of gold; all the coins ever made Flow past — gods, throw some to me!
(A traditional toast, sung in the taverns of the Waterdeep)
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.
Here we have some attributed to Danilo Thann, the bard in Elaine Cunningham's wonderful books.
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.
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!"
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)
-----------------------------------------------
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
By the Crawling Chaos! This is perfect. Thank you! And yes, a proper repository of Bardic tunes should be a thing.
I found a few of those on the Candlekeep forums and some of them were in printed modules and novels, but the Candlekeep website does keep a list of where to find them.
I found a few of those on the Candlekeep forums and some of them were in printed modules and novels, but the Candlekeep website does keep a list of where to find them.
The song list Sadly it's not as useful as I thought. It has the date and the author but not the out of character 'where is it from?' That might require a forum search.
The song list Sadly it's not as useful as I thought. It has the date and the author but not the out of character 'where is it from?' That might require a forum search.
I'll start punching these into Google. I'll post what I find here. Thank you kindly for the lead.
This was quicker than I thought it'd be. There WAS someone on the forum that cited the sources. (http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19747) Most of them are either from the Elminster books or a series of articles Wizards put out back in the 3e days.
First: I found some more tunes not from D&D, but still high fantasy-ish. Turns out Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have a taste in music and included sheet music in their 'Death Gate' series of book. http://www.immora.com/deathgate/book-music.php
Second: And ACTUAL D&D song! Let me present: 'Maw of the King' by Cami-Cat. Doubly appropriate given the recent release of 'Ghosts of Saltmarsh'.
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So, the release of the D&D Beyond Mobile App beta has gotten me reading the PHB cover to cover again and I've contemplated playing a Bard (if I can get a group together, everyone in my town seems to have a group already) and I wanted to take my RP to the next level and actually learn some songs to sing/hum at the table. I'm also contemplating learn to play the lute, but that may be beyond my means.
Anyhow, here's my problem: all the good bardic-style songs I can find are very grounded in their specific setting, Tamriel, Westeros, where ever Dragon Age takes place, but nothing D&D-based. I was wondering if anyone had composed some tunes based on the lore of the Realms or anything generic enough to fit in.
I HAVE found one tune, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrikm3Of-EU) (I had posted this quarry on ENWorld to cast a wide net) and it isn't bad, but most bards would now more than one song. Does anyone have anything else? Please and Thank You!
The Dragon Age world is called Thedas.
There's nothing stopping you from poaching songs from other sources and insisting they were originally sung by a famous rock gnome bard from Waterdeep or pirates out of Luskan (or whatever). Part of the fun of FR is the whole world is such a complex "kitchen sink" that anything can make sense as coming from the world! Listen to some Dropkick Murphys, Pogues, or Alestorm for some shanties!
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.
Oh man, I know that feeling. There are a few here and there in setting lemme copy paste the ones I've found. Also, maybe we could start a thread to add our own songs, too?
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
-------------------------------------
A Toast to Waterdeep
Here's to the City of Splendors
Deep water where the edge of the sea
Meets rivers of gold; all the coins ever made
Flow past — gods, throw some to me!
(A traditional toast, sung in the taverns of the Waterdeep)
From Volo's Guide to Waterdeep
-------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we have some attributed to Danilo Thann, the bard in Elaine Cunningham's wonderful books.
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.
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
-----------------------------------------------
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
I found a few of those on the Candlekeep forums and some of them were in printed modules and novels, but the Candlekeep website does keep a list of where to find them.
The site itself
The forums
The song list Sadly it's not as useful as I thought. It has the date and the author but not the out of character 'where is it from?' That might require a forum search.
This was quicker than I thought it'd be. There WAS someone on the forum that cited the sources. (http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19747) Most of them are either from the Elminster books or a series of articles Wizards put out back in the 3e days.
lol there we go, I knew it was somewhere there.
Over a year later: but these felt apropos.
First: I found some more tunes not from D&D, but still high fantasy-ish. Turns out Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have a taste in music and included sheet music in their 'Death Gate' series of book. http://www.immora.com/deathgate/book-music.php
Second: And ACTUAL D&D song! Let me present: 'Maw of the King' by Cami-Cat. Doubly appropriate given the recent release of 'Ghosts of Saltmarsh'.