Folk songs for Azeroth 2

Lore Role-playing
27

A wonderful, powerful song that could be sung by slaves or former slaves.

— Children of the Earth —

We are the Children of the earth
The tillers of the soil
The heirs of hunger and of dearth
Born to unending toil
Born to unending toil

We work the fields from early light
Bound by an iron law
And when we stumble home at night
We sleep among the straw
The unremembered poor

When darkness falls we take our rest
We rise before the dawn
Day after day until we die
We labour, we are born
To poverty and scorn

To plough and sew and harrow in
To harvest, reap and mow
In frost and snow and icy wind
To the weary fields we go
The lowest of the low

Despised and beaten, trodden down
Our council still we keep
Our voiceless hearts you do not hear
We do not smile or weep
Our rage is hidden deep

We are the ones who made the world
Who carved and shaped the land
Who cleared the forest, tilled the soil
By skill and strength of hand
We poor and ragged band

We have been here since time began
Since sun and moon were new
Since Gods did delve and Titans did span
Pray come and tell me true
WHERE, GENTLEMEN, WERE YOU?

1 Like
29

Here’s a song based on a Rudyard Kipling poem that I think is perfect for any Shamanistic people. Please enjoy.

— The Recall —

I am the land of their fathers,
In me the virtue stays.
I will bring back my children,
After certain days.

Under their feet in the grasses
My clinging magic runs.
They shall return as strangers.
They shall remain as sons.

Over their heads in the branches
Of their new-bought, ancient trees,
I weave an incantation
And draw them to my knees.

Scent of smoke in the evening,
Smell of rain in the night–
The hours, the days and the seasons,
Order their souls aright,

Till I make plain the meaning
Of all my thousand years–
Till I fill their hearts with knowledge,
While I fill their eyes with tears.

I am the land of their fathers,
In me the virtue stays.
I will bring back my children,
After certain days.

I will bring back my children,
After certain days.

2 Likes
30

Here’s a nice drinking song that required no changes at all :smiley: Enjoy!!

—All Among The Barley—

Come now, ‘tis near September and the hunters’ moon begun,
And through the wheaten stubble is heard a frequent gun;
The leaves are pale and yellow, and fading into red,
While the ripe and bearded barley is hanging down its head.

(Chorus)
All among the barley, who would not be blithe,
Whilst the ripe and bearded barley is smiling on the scythe.

The wheat is like a rich man, it’s sleek and well-to-do;
The oats are like a pack of girls, laughing and dancing too;
The rye is like a miser, both sulky, lean and small,
Whilst the ripe and bearded barley is the monarch of them all.

(Repeat Chorus)

The spring is like a young maid that doesn’t know her mind,
The summer is a tyrant of most ungracious kind;
The autumn is an old friend that loves as best he can,
And will bring the bearded barley to glad the heart of man.

(Repeat Chorus)

So come now, ‘tis near September and the hunters’ moon begun,
And through the wheaten stubble is heard a frequent gun;
The leaves are pale and yellow, and fading into red,
While the ripe and bearded barley is hanging down its head

(Repeat Chorus)

1 Like
31

Another seafarer’s song. Slightly edited. Enjoy!

— Wings of a Gull a.k.a. Weary Whaling Ground —

Oh if I had the wings of a gull, me boys
I’d spread them and fly home
And I’d leave old Northrend’s icy grounds
For where whale-fish there are none.

For the weather’s rough and the winds do blow
There’s little comfort here
And I’d rather be snug in a comfy pub
A-drinking up strong beer.

For a man must be mad or wanting money bad
If he ventures catching the whale
For he may be drowned if that fish turns around
Or his head smashed in by its tail

And the the work seems grand to a young green hand
And his heart may be high when he goes
In a very short burst, he’d a soon as hear a curse
As a cry of “There she blows!”

So it’s all hands on deck now for pity’s sake
Move briskly if you can
And he stumbles on deck so dizzy and so sick
For his life, he don’t give a damn

And then high overhead, the great fluke spreads
And the mate gives the whale the iron
And soon the blood, in a purple flood
from the spout, oh it comes-a flying

Well these trials we have faced for nigh-on four years
'Til our flying jib points for home
And we’re supposed for our toil to get a bonus on the oil
And an equal share on the bone

But when we go to the agent’s to settle for the trip
We find we have cause to repent
For we’ve slaved away four years of our lives
And we’ve earned about three gold ten.

(here’s a second version to hear what it would sound like with vocal harmonies)

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32

Here’s a fun drinking song :smile:

Only needed to change literally two words of this ^^ Enjoy!

— Seven Drunken Nights —

As I went home on a Monday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I saw a horse outside the door where me old horse should be.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Who owns that horse outside the door where me old horse should be?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk, you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
That’s a lovely sow that me mother sent to me.”
Well, it’s many a day I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But a saddle on a sow, sure, I never saw before.

As I went home on a Tuesday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I saw a coat behind the door where me old coat should be.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Who owns that coat behind the door where me old coat should be?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
That’s a woolen blanket that me mother sent to me.”
Well, it’s many a day I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But buttons on a blanket, sure, I never saw before.

As I went home on a Wednesday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I saw a pipe upon the chair where me old pipe should be.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Who owns that pipe upon the chair where me old pipe should be?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
That’s a lovely tin whistle that me mother sent to me.”
Well, it’s many a day I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But tobacco in a tin whistle, sure, I never saw before.

As I came home on a Thursday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I saw two boots beneath the bed where me old boots should be.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Who owns them boots beneath the bed where me old boots should be?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
They’re two geranium flowerpots me mother sent to me.”
Well, it’s many a day I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But laces on a flower pot I never saw before.

As I came home on a Friday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I saw a head upon the bed where me old head should be.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Who owns that head upon the bed where me old head should be?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
That’s a baby boy that me mother sent to me.”
Well, it’s many a day I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But a baby boy with his whiskers on, sure, I never saw before.

As I came home on a Saturday night as drunk as drunk could be,
I spied two hands upon her breasts where me old hands should be.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Whose hands are these upon your breasts where me old hands should be?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
'Tis nothing but a Living Bra Jane Russell gave to me.”
Well, it’s many a day I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But fingernails on a Living Bra, I never saw before.

Now when I came home on a Sunday night a little after three,
I saw a man running out the door with his pants about his knee.
I called me wife and I said to her, “Will you kindly tell to me,
Who was that man running out the door with his pants about his knee?”

“Oh, you’re drunk, you’re drunk you silly old fool, and still you cannot see,
'Twas nothing but the tax collector the King sent to me.”
Well, it’s many a night I’ve travelled, a hundred miles or more,
But a tax man that could last 'til three I never saw before.

1 Like
33

Here’s a merry drinking song that I adapted in the spirit of Brewfest.

I imagined a Dwarf writing this after his travels throughout Azeroth and beyond. Very jolly and life-affirming. Only required minimum changes. Enjoy!

— Ramblin’ Rover —

-Chorus-

There are sober men a-plenty and drunkards barely twenty
There are men of over ninety who have never yet kissed a girl
Give me a ramblin’ rover, frae Winterspring down tae Ungorer
We’ll roam the cont’nent over and together we’ll face the world

Now I’ve roamed through every nation, taken delight in all creation
I’ve enjoyed a wee sensation when the company did prove kind
And when partin’ was no pleasure, well I’ve drunk another measure
To the dear friends that I treasure, for they always are on my mind

(repeat chorus)

There’s many who feign enjoyment from merciless employment
Their ambition was this deployment from the minute they left the school
And they save and scrape and ponder, while the rest go out and squander
See the world and rove and wander and are happier as a rule

(repeat chorus)

When you’re bent up with arthritis, your bowels have got colitis
You’ve got gallopin’ bollockitis and you’re thinkin’ it’s time you died
When you’re lyin’ there in traction, if you’ve been a man of action,
You can gain some satisfaction thinking “Well, at least I tried!”

(repeat chorus x2)

We’ll roam the cont’nent over, and TOGETHER WE’LL FACE THE WORLD!!!

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34

Here’s a sweet, sentimental song that required pretty much no changes at all. Could work as a dwarvish song, or possibly Kul Tiras. Enjoy :slight_smile:

— When the Boat Comes In —

Now come here me little laddie,
Now ah’ve smoked me baccy,
Let’s have a bit-o cracky,
Til the boat comes in.

And thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

And dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

Now here’s ya mother comin’,
like a canny woman;
Yonder comes ya fatha,
drunk - he cannat stand.

And thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

And dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

Our Tommy’s always fuddling,
he’s so fond of ale,
but he’s very kind to me,
and I hope he’ll never fail.

And thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

And dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a haddock when the boat comes in.

Well I like a drop mesel’,
when I can get it sly,
and thou, my bonny bairn,
will like’t as well as I.

And thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

And dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a mackerel when the boat comes in.

And may we get a drop,
oft as we stand in need;
and weel may the keel row
that brings the bairns their bread.

And thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

And dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a bloater when the boat comes in.

(repeat all verses)

And dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Dance to ya Daddy, sing to ya Mammy,
dance to ya Daddy, to ya Mammy sing;

Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in.

Aye thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,
thou shalt have a salmon when the boat comes in.

Like most folk singers he likes to tell stories about the origins of the song and how he came to play it. If you want to skip straight to the song, skip to 3:02

2 Likes
35

Here’s a nice ballad for a change. Enjoy!!

— The Call and the Answer —

You call and I run
Like the wind that blows across the moor
All we needed is each other
And like the eagles we will soar

-Chorus-

You are the call and I am the answer
You are the wish and I am the way
You the music - I the dancer
You are the night and I am the day
You are the night and I am the day

You and I are like two rivers
Run and fall down to the sea
When we meet we’re lost forever
Lost forever, you and me

(repeat chorus)

Lay your head upon my pillow
Let your heart beat close to mine
With no past and no tomorrow
Two hearts lost in space and time

(repeat chorus)

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36

Anyone got anymore? These are very entertaining.

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37

Here’s a great song for Kul Tiran funerals. Only required minimum changes. Enjoy :slight_smile:

—The Farewell Shanty—

It is time to go now
Haul away your anchor
Haul away your anchor
'Tis our sailing time

Get some sail upon her
Haul away your halyards
Haul away your halyards
'Tis our sailing time

Get her on her course now
Haul away your foresheets
Haul away your foresheets
'Tis our sailing time

Feel the seas run under
Haul away down Channel
Haul away down Channel
On the evening tide

Now my days are over
Haul away forever
Haul away forever
Return to the tide

It is time to go now
Haul away your anchor
Haul away your anchor
'Tis our sailing time

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38

Pretty swell

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39

Here’s a reworked version of the Trelawny anthem of Cornwall a.k.a The Song of the Western Men. I figured with a few words tweaked here and there, it would make a great song about Arom Waycrest’s final victory against the Drust. Enjoy!

—The Song of Kul Tiras—

Oh a good sword and a trusty hand!
A merry heart and true!
And Gorak Tul shall understand
What Kul Tirans can do!
And have they fixed the where and when?
And shall Lord Waycrest die?
Here’s twenty thousand Kul Tirans
Will know the reason why!

-Chorus-

And shall Lord Waycrest live?
Or shall Lord Waycrest die?
Here’s twenty thousand Kul Tirans
Will know the reason why!

Out spake our leader brave and bold:
A merry wight was he:
Though Gol Osigr be their stronghold,
We’ll set Kul Tiras free!
We’ll cross the rivers, land to land:
The waters are no stay:
With “one and all,” and hand in hand;
And who shall bid us nay?

(repeat chorus)

And when we come to Gol Osigir
A dreadful sight to view,
Come forth! Come forth! Ye cowards all:
Here’s greater men than you.
Lord Waycrest he shall storm their hold;
Lord Waycrest he may die:
Here’s twenty thousand Kul Tirans BOLD
Will know the reason why

(repeat chorus)

3 Likes
40

A great drinking song for sailors, merchants and pirates. No changes required whatsoever. Enjoy!

— Ye Mariners All —

Ye mariners all as ye pass by
Come in and drink when you are dry
Spend my lads your money brisk
And pop your nose in a jug of this

Ye mariners all if you’ve half a crown
You’re welcome all for to sit down
Spend my lads your money brisk
And pop your nose in a jug of this

Ye tipplers all as you pass by
Come in and sit if you are dry
Come in sit down, think it not amiss
To pop your nose in a jug of this

And when I’m old and can scarcely crawl
I’ve a long grey beard and a head that’s bald
Crown my desire, fulfill my bliss
A pretty young girl and a jug of this

And when I’m in my grave and dead
And all my sorrows are past and fled,
Transform me then into a fish
Come let me swim in a jug of this

Ye mariners all as ye pass by
Come in and drink when you are dry
Come in sit down, think not amiss
To pop your nose in a jug of this

1 Like
41

Here’s a shanty that took a little editing as I decided to throw in a few verses from different versions of the same song. Enjoy!

—Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her—

Well I thought I heard the Old Man say:
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her.”
Tomorrow you will get your pay,
and it’s time for us to leave her.

(Chorus)
Leave her, Johnny, leave her!
Oh, leave her, Johnny, leave her!
For the voyage is long and the winds don’t blow
And it’s time for us to leave her.

Oh, the wind was foul and the sea ran high.
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her!”
Oh, she shipped it green and none went by.
And it’s time for us to leave her.

(Repeat chorus)

Oh she‘s parish bound and she’s parish rigged
“Leave her, Johny, leave her!”
And the whole poor crew, well they’re fever-strict
And it’s time for us to leave her.

(Repeat chorus)

I hate to sail on this rotten tub.
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her!”
No grog allowed and rotten grub.
And it’s time for us to leave her.

(Repeat chorus)

Oh the skipper was bad and the mate was worse
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her!”
He would cut you down with a spite or a curse
And it’s time for us to leave her.

(Repeat chorus)

Oh, pull you lubbers or you’ll get no pay
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her!”
Oh, pull you lubbers and then belay
And it’s time for us to leave her.

(Repeat chorus)

Oh, the rats have gone, now we, the crew
“Leave her, Johnny, leave her!”
Oh it’s jolly well time that we went too
And it’s time for us to leave her.

(Repeat chorus several times)

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42

Here’s one just in time for Winter Veil. Required no changes at all. Enjoy!! :smiley:

—The Season of Holly and Ivy—

The season of holly and ivy is here
The season of mirth and of glee
The year has come round to the time when all men of good will can agree
Hail to the hour when all men can agree!

Oh trim up the tree with fair silver and gold
String garlands of berries around
And with blithesome carols fill house and fill hall with their clamorous sound,
Hail to the carols’ gay, clamorous sound!

The season of holly and ivy is here
The season of mirth and of glee
The year has come round to the time when all men of good will can agree
Hail to the hour when all men can agree!

The board now is laden with roast beef and goose,
With mince pie, plum pudding and ale
The yule log is roaring its welcome to guests from both valley and dale
Hail to all guests from both valley and dale!

The season of holly and ivy is here
The season of mirth and of glee
The year has come round to the time when all men of good will can agree
Hail to the hour when all men can agree!

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43

Here’s one that was originally sung on new year’s eve before auld lang syne was written. It also tends to be sung at funerals from what I understand. Either way, whatever the occasion, it’s a cracking song. And it required no changes whatsoever. Enjoy!!

—The Parting Glass—

Oh all the money that e’er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e’er I’ve done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

If I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit a while
There is a fair maid in this town
Who sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips
I own she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be with you all

Oh all the comrades that e’er I’ve had
Are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I’ve had
Would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all

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44

A song about the mad and the derranged. Enjoy!!

—Boys of Bedlam—

For to see mad Tom of Bedlam
Ten thousand miles I’d travel
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes
For to save her shoes from gravel

-Chorus-
Still I sing bonnie boys, bonnie mad boys
Bedlam boys are bonnie,
For they all go bare and they live by the air
And they want no drink nor money

I went down to Sargeras’ kitchen
For to get me food one morning
And there I got souls piping hot
All on the spit a-turning

-Repeat chorus-

Me staff has murdered giants
And me bag a long knife carries
For to cut mince pies from children’s thighs
With which to feed the fairies

-Repeat chorus-

This spirit’s white as lightning
Would on me travels guide me
The moon would shake and the stars would quake
When ever they espied me

-Repeat chorus-

And when that I have murdered
The man in the moon to a powder
His staff I’ll break and his dog I’ll shake
And there’ll howl no demon louder

-Repeat chorus-

For to see mad Tom of Bedlam
Ten thousand years I’d travel
Mad Maudlin goes on dirty toes
For to save her shoes from gravel

-Repeat chorus x2-


1 Like
45

This one’s been a real favorite of mine recently, and it’s helped me through some hard times. And it required no changes. Hope you enjoy it.

—Keep Hauling—

When love just seems so far away
Keep haulin’, keep haulin’
The tide will flood your heart someday
Keep haulin’, boys

When your guidin’ star’s in cloudy skies
Keep haulin’, keep haulin’
You’ll find your way to the bright sunrise
Keep haulin’, boys

(Chorus)
Keep haulin’, ho!
Rouse and raise your voice
Hold your course and don’t let go
Keep haulin’, boys

If you gave your best and your heart stayed true
Keep haulin’, keep haulin’
There’s only one thing left to do
Keep haulin’, boys

If you fought so hard and you lost your hold
Keep haulin’, keep haulin’
Remember fate rewards the bold
Keep haulin’, boys

(Repeat Chorus)

Whatever your ship and wherever your sea
Keep haulin’, keep haulin’
Whatever your storm or your rocks may be
Keep haulin’, boys

(Repeat chorus x2)

Hold your course and don’t let go
Keep haulin’, boys


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46

This one’s a tear-jerker about a woman who’s suffered and has just had enough of life. It only required minimum changes. Enjoy.

—Past Caring—

Well, up and down the the rocky downs, the great black crows are flying
And just below the fire I know another milker’s dying.
The crops have withered from the ground, the red clay tank is glaring
Yet from my heart no tear or sound, for I have grown past caring.

Through death and trouble, turn about, through hopeless desolation,
Through flood and fever, fire and drought, through slavery and starvation,
Through childbirth, sickness, hurt and blight, through loneliness and scaring,
From being left alone at night I have grown to be past caring.

Our first born took in days like these, a cruel week in dying,
All day upon her father’s knees or on my breast a-lying.
The tears we shed, the prayers we said were awful, wild, despairing
I’ve pulled three through and buried two since then, now I’m past caring.

'Twas ten years first, then came the worst, all for a barren clearing,
I thought, I thought my heart would burst when first my man went sailing.
He’s sailing to the great wide sea; I don’t know how he’s faring,
And I, the girl who loved him best, have grown to be past caring.

My eyes are dry, I cannot cry, I have no heart for breaking,
Where it was in days gone by is empty dull and aching.
My last boy ran away from me; I know my temper’s wearing,
But now I only wish to be beyond all signs of caring.

Past bothering, past carin’, past feeling and despairing,
And now I only wish to be beyond all signs of caring.

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47

This one’s another sea shanty. The term bully in the alley was used when someone got so drunk their friends used to leave them in an alleyway to sleep it off, and they would pick them up again later. Hence they were “bully in the alley.” This one required no changes at all (except I had to write the full word 'cockerel to get past the censors). Enjoy!

—Bully in the Alley—

(Chorus)

So help me Bob, I’m bully in the alley
Wey hey, bully in the alley
Help me Bob, I’m bully in the alley
Bully down in Shinbone Al

Sally is a girl in Shinbone Alley
Wey hey, bully in the alley
Sally is the girl that I spliced nearly
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

I found by self out under three-oh
Wey hey, bully in the alley
I found by self with time so free-oh
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

I waltzed up to the Angel Inn-o
Wey hey, bully in the alley
And kicked down the door, and walked right in-o
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

I walked up to the barroom counter
Wey hey, bully in the alley
There I met with Greasy Annie
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

I bought her rum and I bought her gin-o
Wey hey, bully in the alley
And bought her wine, of white and red-o
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

And when I’m spent of all me tin-o
Wey hey, bully in the alley
Off to bed, we both did creep-o
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

We rough and tumbled all night long-o
Wey hey, bully in the alley
Dawn did break, the cockerel did crow-o
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus)

I left my gal to go-a sailin’
Wey hey, bully in the alley
I left my Sal to go a-whalin’
Bully down in Shinbone Al

(Repeat chorus x2)

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