Bard's and Poet's Corner (Azeroth's Songbook)

Greetings, lads and lady-laddies. Isn’t it wonderful existing at this day and age? Truly, all is good in Azeroth (most of the time.) We live, we eat, we drink, we laugh, we fight. Och, don’t you just want to break into song?

Well, I do! And I would, were it not for one crucial detail… There’s no song to sing! No shanty to recite, and no grand epic to put into tune! No, no… This simply won’t do.

Contemplating on this crucial lack of musical composition in the world got me thinking. There may not be many pieces that we may know of (aside from that one dreadful dirge the elves like to sing when they drop their sweetroll), and all the bards and singers of the world seemed to have dropped off into the Void!

Given these dire circumstances, I decided to take action against this drought of song. In this here thread, I invite poets, songwriters and other men and women of the World, to fill the emptiness of silence with their own songs and poems, so that maybe one day the streets of Stormwind and the crags of Orgrimmar can ring out in musical tales of adventure, debauchery, villainy and reverence!

Imagine all the stories untold by those who possess a tin ear and no love for song? All the heroes who’ve been left without praise for their deeds, or all the many places in the world, whose only memories are its forgotten songs of old? The countless evils left in ignorant suspense, because there is no one there to sing of their diabolical deeds, lest we forget?

Who knows, maybe you’ll one day be surprised and hear your own tune being mumbled out by a passersby? Given that I’m the one who is so eager to kickstart this melodious journey to fill the ears of men and women with song, I will start off the list of tunes with three of my own songs!

Here’s to all you creative songwriters and poets! Leave your mark with a tune, rather than a nasty gash!

.
For Whom Do The Mountains Grow?

For whom do the mountains grow?
For dwarfs who have no place to go!
For whom do the mountains grow?
For dwarfs who wish to call them “Home!”

For whom do the fires glow?
For forges where the wood does crack!
For whom do the fires glow?
For halls to keep the darkness back!

For whom does the ale flow?
For dwarfs who do not wish to think!
For whom does the ale flow?
For all the thirsty dwarfs to drink!

For whom do the mountains grow?
For dwarfs who have no place to go!
For whom do the mountains grow?
For dwarfs who wish to call them “Home!”

.
Old Lost Hills

In the cracks of the dirt
Where all the tales are told.
They tell of the great
Ancient dwarven Hold.

Its walls made of mithril,
Its forges burning bright.
'Till the day it was gone,
And lost from sight.

We sing for the Dwarven folk
Who loved the greatest thrills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!
We sing for their forgotten crops
And of their many mills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!

The dwarven hold all lost to sight
O’ where could it have gone?
A’many ranger set to look
For all the good it’s done!

All of the mountains we have searched
The harshest and the round!
Alas the Ancient Dwarven Hold
Has not been found.

We sing for the Dwarven folk
Who loved the greatest thrills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!
We sing of all it’s gentle winds,
And of its Daffodils!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!

The years have passed, the young grew old,
The Hold could not be found!
The dwarven people ceased its search
And went back underground!

One thing it left behind, is
The excitement it instills!
For those who hear the legend
Of the Old Lost Hills!

We sing for the Dwarven folk
Who loved the greatest thrills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!
We sing of all its riches gone,
And of its Winter chills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!
We sing for the Old Lost Hills!

.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome

Who fears no dwarf? Who fears no man?
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
Who flings their voice like no one can?
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

He came to us from Southern Lands.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
He came to us wearing no pants.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

His shout was great, his words were wise.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
When he spoke he’d look in your eyes.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

Who started fights they could not win?
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
Who’d laugh and grin and cheer and sing?
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

He spoke of things both vile and grim.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
O’ there was no silencing him.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

His mouth flapped on about the King.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
Not pretty things of him, he’d sing.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome.

And soon the King of him was told.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
His soldiers took him to their hold.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

His insults to the King he sung.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
And the King cut out his tongue.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

Without a mouth, without a voice.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
The people thought they could rejoice.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

Yet he just smiled, then grinned, then laughed.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome.
Said “For a King you sure are daft!”
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

Some say he still walks in the snow.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!
Voice echoing 'cross Dun Morough.
The Rabble Rousing Gnome!

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I sing this when I’m in prison.

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Tbh someone needs to add the lyrics of the ol’ Motor Priest song.

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Murlocman needs to be there too!

Here’s one Bertel wrote recently.

I posted it in the Stormwind monthly poetry meeting thread as well, but here it is again, a lullaby for Gnome children:

Lullaby for Little Gnomes

Bedtime now for little Gnomes
Shutting lights in little homes
Tug so snugly under sheets
Welcome dreams of cunning deeds

Sow the seeds of morning sun
Night has come and day is done
With closed eyes they’ll now receive
Relieving comfort of sweet sleep

When they wake up vitalized
Waving darkness a goodbye
Rising with a tumbling sigh
They shall earn the answer why

Everyone must rest assure
That their dreams are sweet and pure
So by daylight they may learn
What they own and how to earn

Secrets of the night time riddle
Mystery of flute and fiddle
Curtains now all cast aside
Shining sun will stand them by

Do the tasks that day requires
Tired now again retire
Cuddle sleepy down in bed
Once again a day ahead

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I’ve got a lot of musical WoW-themed rewrites:

Do you hear the Banshee Sing? By Eaves Droppe

Do you hear the Banshee sing?
Deep in the stillness; far from sight,
It is the herald of a people,
Who will take back their birthright.

For the forsaken by the Light,
There is a hope that men despise;
At last the shadow will contend,
And cut away their lies.

We will walk again, from Lordaeron,
We’ll march with new accord,
We will dredge up the meat-wagons,
We will fight beside the Horde!

The Lady has spoken,
And Lordaeron will take up her call!

Will you join in her crusade?
Who will be brave and dare to see?
Somewhere beyond the veiled glades,
Is there a Kingdom owed to me?

Do you hear the Banshee Sing?
Say, do you see our foe succumb?
This is the future that she brings,
Now a new day comes!

Will you join in her crusade?
Who will be brave and dare to see?
Somewhere beyond the veiled glades,
Is there a Kingdom owed to me?

Do you hear the Banshee Sing?
Say, do you see our foe succumb?
This is the future that she brings,
Now a new day comes!

A new day comes!

Di’chuka, by Vuvuzela the Trumpet.

Ai see what’s happenin’ here,
Ya face ta face wid greatness, and it’s strange!
Ya don’t even know how ta kneel! It’s adorable.
Well it’s nice ta see the tribals never change.

Straighten ya back, we’ll begin!
Yes, I’m what you see! Zandalari! Take it in.
I know it’s a lot, de hair, de bod!
When ya sharin’ air wid demi-gods!

What can ai say, except - di’chuka!
For ya tribes, ya gods, ya lives.
'ey it’s okay, okay, di’chuka!
It’s just our place to teach the lesser tribes!

Whose silver-tongue taught Shadra to lie,
So you could catch out elf spies?
Us guys!

When ya jins got old,
Who sent them safe to Otha Side?
We’re born to be ya guides!
Dye! Rastakhan splashed in the sun,
Di’chuka!
To make day gold and darkness run!

Also we mapped out the seas!
Di’chuka!
Cured your famines with fruit from Torcali!

So what can I say except - di’chuka!
For the tribes spared from the Hakkari!
If you’d like to pray, that’s okay! Di’chuka!
Ha! I guess it’s just the Zandalari!
Di’chuka! Di’chuka!

Well, come ta tink of it…
Mon, history? It just goes on and on!
All through time Zandalar’s taking you mons on along,
The drums, the throne, the crown,
While ya lot keep on messing around!
Aman’s on fire,
Farrak’s turned to dust,
Zul’drak killed loa; ya gone totally nuts!
What be de lesson?
What be de take-away?
Listen to Zandalar or throw trollkind’s fate away!

And the gold inked in here on my skin!
Prophesies the victory’s we’ll win!
Wherever trolls been, we made everything happen!
Look at me war-dance just tippity-tappin’,
Ah, ah, ah, eh?!

Well, anyway, let me say — Di’chuka!
For the wonderful future we’ll show,
'ey, it’s okay, okay - di’chuka!
Di’chuka!

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Great work, lads. Now to just bump up this here corner, so that people will be still able to contribute.

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The marching cadence of the Northshire Regiment, used now by footmen from three separate companies over a year and a half’s service. Not exactly a saga by any extent of the imagination, but it’s special to us:

Highty tighty Faol almighty
Who the hell are we?
Monty’s Boys, Dragon Coy,
We’re heavy infantry!

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I love this. Bump!

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Wrote this poem while in The Fablewind Faire years ago.

Isolated from my choices.
Floating past my head.
Your condencating voices.
wishing I were dead.

Thirty and some wishes.
Floating down the stream.
Like ripping out the stitches.
Smirking as I scream.

Burning down my mind.
Floating ash into the sky.
Haters love their kind.
Bloodshot eyes they pry.

Now tell me of a life I’d want.
Now tell me lies of better things.
Now tell me I’m not worthless.
Now tell me it will be alright.

Haunted by my choices.
Filling up my head.
Your helpful voices.
Wishing I weren’t dead.

Thirty and some wishes.
Picked up from the stream.
Like gentle healing stitches.
Soothing as I scream.

Building up my mind.
Floating stars in the sky.
Lovers love their kind.
Humble eyes they cry.

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Keep up the tales. Let me share this one now!

The Bull and the Horse

Lost in the Mashan’she
Hooves striding with ache
In search of ghosts
The Bull and the Horse

For home, the Herdless Horse did search
The Angered Bull he found

An exiled kin
Flame wracked with hate
His rage had brought his fold
Nothing but death

For doom, the Angered Bull did search
Forlorn, the Horse he found

For ten suns and ten moons
The two had fought
The sky had boomed with rage
The Mother wept

Humbled by blood
The Horse had bowed
And by the Mother’s will
The Bull had calmed

Through the dying land
The Horse sought home
Among the Mother’s foes
The Bull searched for doom

-Tale From Desolace

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This was something I came up with to sum up some events that happened with my guild in Duskwood last year, it used to be in my guild’s recruitment thread on the old forums, it’s intended more as a drinking song rather than a bard’s song:

"On Winter’s night
Below Moon’s glow bright
a maiden well travelled
life’s thread unravelled
by claw the maiden fell
alone rang her death knell

Oh twist of fate
opens the death gate

Come forth riders of the Dark Grail
Hold yet the banshee’s wail

Placed upon Death Charger’s Hide
to save her life, undead Elf must Ride

Charge, Charge Elf Lady of Death
Clutched tightly maiden’s last breath

Onwards ridden to Shire Dark
“A healer needed” The Knight did bark!

Huzah, Huzah for the healer!
The maiden’s life he did save!
Huzah Huzah for the Dark Rider!
The hero elf touched by the grave!"

A tavern song sang in the Scarlet Raven Tavern that details the deeds of Grail Knight Sliverheart written in the year 32.

The Black Chronicles: Records of the Knights of the Dark Grail, Volume 2

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An amazing song, not written by Bertel or me, but by Arcus Gearstorm, who I don’t think is around in WoW anymore, at least not on that character:

A Gnomish Lament: The Fall of Gnomeregan

In depths beneath the earth and stone
lived clever gnomes on clockwork thrones,
who shaped and wrought and built and sought
to master craft and lore unknown.

In days of yore they lived in peace
and gifted all; a masterpiece
to dwarven friend and elves and men
that their wonder and mirth increase.

From iron came such wondrous things;
The tinker’d toys that dance and sing,
And sleepless guards of steel unscarred,
And metal birds with shining wings.

The moon and stars they caught in glass
and placed in trees of steel and brass;
there burning bright the sparkling lights
lit every home and winding pass.

On endless rails of steel they drove
the roaring trams. On coils they wove
the untamed storm. On written form
they scribed their spells and arcane trove.

In depths beneath the earth and skies
lived cunning gnomes, so great and wise,
who crafted dreams from steel and steam
unseen by men or dwarven eyes.

The gnomes there lived in peace so grand
and their renown spread through the land
But traitor’s lust turned peace to dust
and doom befell from liar’s hand.

The horns were blaring through the halls;
the heralds of the bitter fall.
The lights shone red and pulsed with dread
and lit in crimson the cavern walls.

The troggs came forth and broke and slew,
and all gnomes, fearing, wept and flew
from cruel claw and rabid maw
and poisoned air the vents had spewed.

In depths beneath the earth and stone
lies Gnomeregan, our ancient home.
Ever in thought, forgotten not,
and in due time, its halls we’ll own.

  • Arcus Gearstorm
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Ooft, what a swell package of information put to song. I can see this being sung by the more merry types in gnomish taverns.

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Sadly, this was not made by me, but by our wonderful development team Blizzard.

It’s from the Tales of the Loa achievement series. These items are scattered all across Zandalar and are pretty neat poems to get to know the Zandalari’s loa!

This one is from “Tales of the Loa: Zandalar”. My favourite.

"With de loa on our side,
We can rule dis land with pride.
Keep dem in ya mind and heart,
Else from us dey surely part!

Dey seem like us in many ways,
Different moods for different days.
Some can be a bit capricious,
Others be downright malicious.

Dis world to dem can be so small,
Their vision long, much to recall.
Dere is much we can’t understand,
Yet all part of their master plan.

Dey bring us wisdom, strength and power.
Dey with us in our darkest hour.
For dem all, we must endeavor.
Call to de heavens, Zandalar forever!"

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I am inspired to make some poems now. Although would be bit hard, in a language which ain’t the native one. :smile:

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The Red blades have a collective Lok’vadnod we sing at funeral pyres and for remembering the glorious dead. The parts in bold are sung/yelled by the whole clan while verses are divided up by 2 to 4 individuals. :wolf:

Getting those verses lined up right using a mobile has been driving me mad for a good 15 minutes… pesky mobile phone editing. Ill fix it later.

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Here’s a Bump! More song!

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Under the star-dotted sky of Arom’s Stand, in the middle of the village there is a looming campfire. A traveling troupe of bards is visiting, and one of them does sing as if in Bawdy Hall, about the wickedness of ever-thirsty men.

This is a story of lust that is keen…
Happened in village that lies far away.
A woman who’s dead, and man who is green
He once did creep up in a hint of the play!

His stance was a tense one, his eyes were of lust!
“Dead flesh or alive, it’s no matter to me!”
And stare did he then… at her saronite bust!
“My zombified beaut, may I make love to thee?”

To her following cringe and her cold shoulder-turn
In vex came his whimper, in rue came his call:
“No hole is a hole that has me yet downturned!”
Yet his love then did turn — He got one head less tall!

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Bumper Sticker.

Sing, sing and sing some more.

By all means! Here is one for Suramar that my bard sometimes preform:

Into Hush, Suramar

Hush…~

In the pit we found the stars, oh in the dark we saw the light~
An illusion of living here inside our barrier of night~
While the betrayers stutter to save their souls…~
…walk a civilian with lowered eyes on quiet soles~

In the city of Suramar we dwell, protected in this shell~
Sanctum and ignore, defending mistakes from before~
Arcane in the Nightwell, luring hunters clad in fel~
Forgotten and forsaken, rip the strings and be awaken~

Into hush… ~

Kaldorei break and crumble, Shal’dorei remain a mumble~
Cut like the quiet of a wraith, frozen here a millennia in wait~
The Third was our pyrrhic, the invasion so fetching satiric~
An empire raised high and lost, we survived for such a terrible cost~

In the pit we found the stars, in the dark we saw the light~
An illusion of living here inside our barrier of night~
While their union create ripples between our souls…~
…run the rebellion through the wineyards on pattering soles~

With quintessential inclination, strangers brought illumination~
Outcasts and champions sneaking in, this empowered engine~
Pity the leaders as they fall, head not the demons that call~
One and one they cut cut, breaking the Nighthold let it rot rot~

An illusion and confusion, the years we feared intrusion~
In the barrier of night we reached up to the light~
Bite to Arcan’dor a lilted choir, sipping Nightwell no more~
Echoing our trailing soles, I sentence your liberated souls~

Into hush…~

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