My Songbook...

Though my Elders consider my love of foriegn songs a strange fancy, it is a pleasure I enjoy most dearly. Songs pass away the time, lighten the heart, or give poetic insight into the mysteries of our own lives. I particularily like songs which reference the Fae, and include one here. I am usually available at Gatherings to sing, if any request.

Here listed are some of my favorites. Dale Conners of House Bashere has taken to "All for Me Grog." Many of these songs have their local variations.

- Lilaiethyn

All for Me Grog

Chorus:
Well it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog,
It's all for me beer and tuaca.
For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin,
Far across the western ocean I must wander.

1. Where are me boots, me noggin', noggin' boots,
They're all gone for beer and tuaca.
For the heels they are worn out and the toes are kicked about
And the soles are looking out for better weather.

Chorus:

2. Where is me shirt, me noggin', noggin' shirt,
It's all gone for beer and tuaca,
For the collar is all worn, and the sleeves they are all torn,
And the tail is looking out for better weather.

Chorus:

3. I'm sick in the head and I haven't been to bed,
Since first I came ashore from me slumber,
For I spent all me dough on the lassies don't you know,
Far across the western ocean I must wander.

Chorus:

(Note: "Tuaca" is an obscure drink flavored with citrus favored by sailors, perhaps to prevent scurvy. I have actually had the pleasure of tasting it).

The Queen of Avendale

Gentlemen it is me duty
To inform you of one beauty
Though I'd ask of you a favour
Not to seek her for a while
Though I own she is a creature
Of character and feature
No words can paint the picture
Of the Queen of Avendale

Chorus:
And if you could have seen her there
Boys, if you had just been there
The swan was in her movements
And the morning in her smile
All the roses in the garden
They bow and ask her pardon
For not one could match the beauty
Of the Queen of Avendale

On the evening that I mentioned
I passed with light intention
Through a part of our dear country
Known for beauty and for style
In the place of noble thinkers
Of scholars and great drinkers
But above them all for splendour
Shone the Queen of Avendale

Chorus...

So my lads I needs must leave you
My intentions not to grieve you
Nor indeed would I deceive you
Oh I'll see you in a while
I must find some way to gain her
To court her and attain her
I fear my heart's in danger
From the Queen of Avendale

Chorus (twice)

(Note: This is a slight variation from the original, but since hearing of Her Majesty's kindness and beauty from others in Avendale, I felt the need to dedicate this song to her spirit, who has left Tyrra for Paradise.)

Come Home (by Hoot Dreamsinger)

1. A knight so brave and daring
gave himself a test.
He rode about the country
for damsels in distress.
He slew a mighty dragon,
but the girl he found there wept.
It seems the fearsome beastie
had been her lifelong pet.

Chorus:
Come home boy, be done with your dallying.
Feast with friends you've known.
We'll drink our fill, and get very merry when
everybody gets back home.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom

2. A lady proud and wealthy
thought she'd have a knight.
She rode out to a battle
to see who best could fight.
She followed to his cozy tent,
where he his helmet shed,
revealed a face so ugly,
she turned around and fled.

3. A rogue so bold and dashing,
with eyes for all things fair,
went out seeking treasure
in hopes to gain his share.
He claimed some magic armor
that could any foe repel,
but quickly learned in battle
the magic was its smell.

4. A farmer's lovely daughter
said, "I need a prince."
She rode up to a castle,
and there did one convince.
He said, "I'd like to keep you 'round.
I loved the games we played."
And gave to her the finest spoon
to be a scullery maid.

5. Young men who crave adventure,
seeking wealth or fame.
Let me now assure you
most places are the same.
The girls right here are better
than those your mind invents,
and the greatest of adventures
is found within their tents.

6. Young maids who dream of romance,
it's time you realize
the men right here around you
would guard you with their lives.
They would treat you better
than those with dreamy charms,
and the greatest of love stories
begins within their arms.

The Wild Rover

I've been a wild rover for many's the year,
and I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer,
but now I'm returning with gold in great store,
for 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 to an alehouse I used to frequent,
and I told the landlady my money was spent.
I asked her for credit, she answered me 'Nay,
such custom as yours I could have every day'

Chorus

I brought up from my pockets ten sovereigns bright,
and the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight.
She said, "I have whiskeys and wines of the best,
I'll take you upstairs and show you the rest."

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 (twice)

We Be Soldiers Three

Chorus:
Wee be souldiers three.
Pardonez moi je vous en pree.
Lately come forth from the low country
with never a penny of money.

(Repeat chorus)

Here good fellow I drink to thee.
Pardonez moi je vous en pree:
To all good fellows where ever they be,
with never a penny of money.

Here good fellow I'll sing you a song,
sing for the brave and sing for the strong,
to all those living and those who have gone
with never a penny of money.

(Repeat chorus)

And he that will not pledge me this,
Pardonez moi je vous en pree:
Pays for the shot what ever it is,
with never a penny of money.

(Repeat chorus a capella)
With never a penny of money.

 

Creature of the Wood

I am a creature of the wood,
forsaken in my solitude
My song is pleasure and is pain,
my song can drive a man insane
So come with me, my pipes I'll play,
and we will dance 'till break of day

I shall be thy lover

I've been alive since time began,
not beast you see, and yet not man
I am the music and the dance,
I am the piper who enchants
So loose all ties to mortal kind,
my pipes shall play within thy mind

I shall be thy lover

Come unto me my beauteous maid,
I'll lead thee to the hidden glade
Thou shalt be happy and be free,
when I play, thou wilt dance for me
We'll feast on fruit fresh from the vine,
and I will sample the fruit of thine

I shall be thy lover

Sweet love I'll make for thee alone,
and show thee sights before unknown
I'll be thy master and thy friend,
for I'm the gold at rainbow's end
I am the beast within all men,
I am the rhyme past mortal ken

I shall be thy lover

I've played my pipes before man's dawn,
seen maidens ripe, turn pale and wan
Taught man the art of song and dance,
yet had to part from mortal clans
I must return to silent dells,
no fire burns, and nature dwells
So take thy rest within the shade,
and as the evening hours fade
I'll take thee deeper in the glade,
my cloven hooves through heather wade
I'll teach thee things man has forbade,
our souls entwined and unafraid

I shall be thy lover

(first verse)

(Note: Upon hearing the story of Titania's Fae father, I recalled this song from my learning).

Blood Brothers

My hand to yours
Let our spirits run free
Let our souls intermingle
For brothers of blood are we
My life for your own
Your truth for my lie
When we walk we are one
And thus together we'll die

Hail to the four quarters of the earth
To the four winds of the sea
By the scar within my hand
Bring my brother to me
Bring back my brother to me

I miss the sounds of his footsteps
The sparkle in his eye
I miss the sound of him calling my name
Ah, I can't let him die
I can still feel his heartbeat
Though his blood's cold as stone
I won't let them take him
He shan't die alone

Hail to the four quarters of the earth
To the four winds of the sea
By the scar within my hand
Bring my brother to me
Bring back my brother to me

I take a blade forged of silver
Split the mark on my hand
Blood flows like the tears from my eyes
They both fall to the sand
I watch the sun set before me
While darkness blackens the sky
Waves as they break on the beach
Muffle the sounds as I cry

Hail to the four quarters of the earth
To the four winds of the sea
By the blood within my hand
Bring my brother to me
Bring back my brother to me

Waves cease their crashing
Dawn lightens the sky
I hear a voice whispering my name
And there is a sparkle in his eye

Hail to the four quarters of the earth
Sing to the four winds of the sea
By the scars we share on our hands
You sent back my brother to me
My brother has come back to me