Folk songs for Azeroth 2

Lore Role-playing
48

This song I’ve edited is a sad, sentimental song about a Dwarf who encounters a Night Elf maiden so beautiful he falls in love, and yet his heart aches knowing they can never be. This one only took minimum editing. Enjoy!

— The Rose of Ashenvale —

The sky was clear, the morning was fair, no breath came over the sea,
When the fair maid left her humble home and wandered forth with me,
Though flowers deck’d the mountainside and fragrance fill’d the vale,
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Ashenvale.
Sweet Rose of Ashenvale, Sweet Rose of Ashenvale,
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Ashenvale.

Where’er I wandered East and West, and fate began to lour
One solace still was she to me in sorrow’s lonely hour
Oh tempest lashed our lovely boat and rent her shiv’ring sail
One maiden form withstood the storm, was the Rose of Ashenvale.
Sweet Rose of Ashenvale, Sweet Rose of Ashenvale,
One maiden form withstood the storm, was the Rose of Ashenvale.

And when my fevered lips were parched on Tanaris’ burning sands
She whispered hopes of happiness, and tales of foreign lands,
My life has been a wilderness unblest by fortune’s gale;
Had fate not linked my love to hers, Sweet Rose of Ashenvale.
Sweet Rose of Ashenvale, Sweet Rose of Ashenvale,
Had fate not linked my love to hers, Sweet Rose of Ashenvale.

This version of the song is missing the middle verse, but its as close to the feel of the song I could find, and she has a beautiful voice.

2 Likes
49

This one required a little modification. Another sad song. Enjoy!!

—The Wayfaring Stranger—

I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
I’m travelling through this world of woe
Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright land to which I go

I’m going there to see my father
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m only going o’er the ocean
I’m only going over home

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
But golden fields lie just before me
Where souls redeemed shall ever sleep

I’m going home to see my mother
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on
I’m only going o’er the ocean
I’m only going over home

I’ll soon be free from every trial
My body sleep, my soul depart
I’ll drop all of my self denial
And enter on my great reward

I’m going there to see my elders
To sing their praise for evermore
I’m only going o’er the ocean
I’m only going over home

1 Like
50

Here’s a drinking song about being a soldier of the Alliance. Very dark-but-humorous song. Took quite a bit of editing this one. Enjoy!

— The Young, Foolish Soldier —

When the half-made recruity goes out to the East
He acts like a babe and he drinks like a beast,
And he wonders because he is frequent deceased
Here he’s fit for to serve as a soldier.
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

Now all you recruities what’s drafted to-day,
You shut up your rag-box and hark to my lay,
And I’ll sing you a soldier as far as I may:
A soldier what’s fit for a soldier.
Fit, fit, fit for a soldier ,
Fit, fit, fit for a soldier ,
Fit, fit, fit for a soldier ,
A so-oldier of the King!

First mind you steer clear of the grog-sellers’ huts,
For they sell you Fixed Bayonets that rots out your guts –
Aye, drink that would eat the live steel from your butts –
And it’s bad for the young foolish soldier.
Bad, bad, bad for the soldier,
Bad, bad, bad for the soldier,
Bad, bad, bad for the soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

When the cholera comes – as it will past a doubt –
Keep out of the wet and don’t go on the shout,
For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out,
And it crumples the young foolish soldier.
Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier,
Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier,
Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

But the worst of your foes is the sun overhead:
You must wear your helmet for all that is said:
If he finds you uncovered he’ll knock you down dead,
And you’ll die like a fool of a soldier.
Fool, fool, fool of a soldier,
Fool, fool, fool of a soldier,
Fool, fool, fool of a soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

If you’re cast for fatigue by a sergeant unkind,
Don’t grouse like a woman nor crack on nor blind;
Be handy and civil, and then you will find
That it’s beer for the young clever soldier.
Beer, beer, beer for the soldier,
Beer, beer, beer for the soldier,
Beer, beer, beer for the soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

Now, if you must marry, take care she is old –
A troop-sergeant’s widow’s the nicest I’m told,
For beauty won’t help if your rations is cold,
Nor love ain’t enough for a soldier.
Enough, enough, enough for a soldier,
Enough, enough, enough for a soldier,
Enough, enough, enough for a soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

If the wife should go wrong with a comrade, be loath
To shoot when you catch them – you’ll swing, on my oath! –
Make him take her and keep her: that’s Hell for them both,
And you’re shut of the curse of a soldier.
Curse, curse, curse of a soldier,
Curse, curse, curse of a soldier,
Curse, curse, curse of a soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

When first under fire and you’re wishful to duck,
Don’t look nor take heed at the man that is struck,
Be thankful you’re living, and trust to your luck
And march to your front like a soldier.
Front, front, front like a soldier,
Front, front, front like a soldier,
Front, front, front like a soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

When half of your bullets fly wide in the ditch,
Don’t call your rifle a cross-eyed old !@#$%;
She’s human as you are – you treat her as sich,
And she’ll fight for the young brave soldier.
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier,
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier,
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

When shaking their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns of the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers and don’t mind the shine,
For noise never startles the soldier.
Start-, start-, startles the soldier,
Start-, start-, startles the soldier,
Start-, start-, startles the soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

If your officer’s dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it’s ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
And wait for supports like a soldier.
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier,
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier,
Wait, wait, wait like a soldier,
A so-oldier of the King!

When you’re wounded and left on the desolate plains,
And the enemy come out to cut up what remains,
Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An’ go to the Light like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier of the King!

Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier of the King!

1 Like
51

Different countries see this song in different lights, but I always thought of it as a sad, sentimental and heartbreaking song. This one required no changes at all. Enjoy.

— The Foggy Dew —

When I was a bachelor young and bold,
I followed the roving trade.
And all the harm that ever I done,
I courted a handsome maid.
I wooed her all the summertime,
And a part of the winter too.
And the only harm that ever I done
Was to keep off the foggy dew.

It was all on one night about twelve o’clock,
When I lay fast asleep.
There came this maid to my bedside
And bitterly she did weep.
She wept, she moaned, she tore her hair,
And she cried, “What shall I do?”
So all that night I held her tight
Just to keep off the foggy dew.

Well all the first part of that night
How we did sport and play,
And all the latter part of that night
Snug in my arms she lay.
And when the broad daylight appeared
She cried, “I am undone!”
“Oh, hold your tongue, you silly young girl,
For the foggy dew have gone.”

I never told nobody her name
And damned be if I do,
But many’s the time I think of that night
When I kept off the foggy dew.

1 Like
52

A lot of people tend to sing this song as a happy jig, but the first time I heard it, it was as a murder ballad, and it’s one of the most haunting songs I’ve ever heard. It could work for the majority of races, really, though due to its origins it would probably work best for dwarves. This one required no changes whatsoever. Enjoy.

—The Banks of Red Roses—

When I was a wee thing, I heard my mother say
That I was a rambler, aye and easy led astray
‘Afore that I would work I would rather sport and play
Wi’ my Johnny on the banks o’ red roses

-Chorus-
On the banks of red roses my love and I sat doon
And he took oot his tunin’ box for tae play his love a tune
In the middle o’ the tune, his love got up and cried
Oh Johnny, Johnny, dinna gan and leave me

Oh they walked and they talked till they cam untae a cave
Where all night long her Johnny had been digging at her grave
All the night long her Johnny had been digging at her grave
By the bonnie bonnie banks o’ red roses

Oh Johnny, lovely Johnny, oh that grave it’s no for me
Oh yes, my dearest Molly, that your bridal bed shall be
Oh yes, my dearest Molly, that your bridal bed shall be
Andh he’s laid her doon low on red roses

(Repeat chorus)

That night as he was gat hame, his heart was full of fear
Everyone he met, he thocht it was his dear
Everyone he met, he thocht it was his dear
That he’d slain on the banks o’ red roses

(Repeat chorus)

1 Like
53

A fun little shanty that required no changes. Enjoy!!
----‐---------

—Being a Pirate—

Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses an eye,
It stings like the blazes, it makes you make faces,
You can’t let your mates see you cry.
A dashing black patch will cover the hatch,
And make sure your socket stays dry,
Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses an eye.

Chorus:

It’s all part of being a pirate (A pirate! A pirate!),
You can’t be a pirate with all of your parts,
It’s all part of being a pirate (A pirate! A pirate!),
You can’t be a pirate with all of your parts.

Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses an ear,
It drips down your neck then it falls on the deck,
'Til someone shouts: “Oy! What’s this 'ere?”.
You can’t wear your glasses, you can’t ‘pull’ the lasses,
And folks have to shout so you’ll hear,
Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses an ear

(Repeat chorus)

Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses a hand,
It squirts and it spurts and it jolly well hurts,
Pain only a pirate could stand,
The fashionable look is a nice metal hook
But then you can’t play in the band.
Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses a hand.

(Repeat chorus)

Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses a leg,
It hurts like the dickens, your pace never quickens,
Hopping around on a peg,
Ask your sweetheart to marry, but too long you’ve tarried,
'Cos now you can’t kneel down and beg,
Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses a leg.

(Repeat chorus)

Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses a ‘wotsit’,
Though you didn’t choose it, you don’t want to lose it,
You’re hoping that somebody spots it,
Then the ‘Doc’ comes along and he sews it back on,
Or he ties it on tight – then he knots it!
Being a pirate is all fun and games, 'til somebody loses a ‘wotsit’.

(Repeat chorus x2)

1 Like
54

Another sea shanty. Enjoy!

—Jolly Roving Tar—

Ships may come and ships may go
As long as the sea does roll
Each sailor lad just like his dad
He loves the flowing bowl
A trip on shore he does adore
With a girl who’s nice and round
When the money’s all gone
It’s the same old song
“Get up Jack! John, sit down!”

CHORUS:
Come along, come along, You jolly brave boys
There’s lots of grog in the jar
We’ll plough the briny ocean
With the jolly roving tar

When Jack comes in, it’s then he’ll steer
To some old boarding house
They’ll welcome him with rum and gin
And feed him on pork scouse
He’ll lend, spend and he’ll not offend
Till he’s lyin’ drunk on the ground
When the money’s all gone
It’s the same old song
“Get up Jack! John, sit down!”

(Repeat chorus)

Jack, he then, oh then he’ll sail
Bound down for Booty Bay
All the ladies fair in the taverns there
They’ll make any sailor’s day
He’ll go to shore out on a tear
And he’ll buy some girl a gown
When the money’s all gone
It’s the same old song
“Get up Jack! John, sit down!”

(Repeat chorus)

When Jack gets old and weatherbeat
Too old to roam about
They’ll let him stop in some rum shop
Till eight bells calls him out
Then he’ll raise his eyes up to the skies
Sayin’ “Boys, we’re homeward bound.”
When the money’s all gone
It’s the same old song
“Get up Jack! John, sit down!”

(Repeat chorus x2)

1 Like
55

Some of these are really good.

1 Like
56

Upping it to avoid another closure.

1 Like
57

So this one’s not a traditional folk song, it’s a contemporary piece written by a metal band called Moonsorrow. The song is in Finnish, but I’ve provided the English translation.

It’s a beautiful song that could potentially sung by anyone. Though I feel it would have more gravitas being sung by orcs or dwarves. Enjoy!

—Echoes—

A roamer seeking serenity
Wounded by the claws of beasts
To the shade, to the shelter of the woods
The song of our fathers echoes
The song of our fathers echoes

The gore of battle follows
Knocking on our doors
Onto the shores, over the waters
The song of our fathers echoes
The song of our fathers echoes

So brief the earthly journey
Yet no need for fear
Beyond the seas, to the end of time
The song of our fathers echoes
The song of our fathers echoes

The song of our fathers echoes

1 Like
58

I don’t know its exact origins, but I believe it is a Canadian song written during the height of the Great War designed to instil a sense of unity and pride in King and Country. Hence the overly nationalistic sentiment found in the lyrics, re-written to fit the Forsaken’s struggle as they fight to drive the Alliance invaders back into the sea.

– By Order of the Queen –

The Nation’s pride, stand side by side,
Upon battle’s field.
Like knights of yore, so brave and bold,
The queen and flag to shield.
For each brave heart, will do his part,
for country and for queen
And gladly go, to meet the foe,
Just hear them proudly sing,

By order of the queen,
(Shadows bless her)
We’ll fight and win or die
“The Nation and the queen”,
(Shadows bless her)
is the nation’s cry,

Our kingdom’s pride is fighting
Shadows bless them and vic’try bring!
For they are gladly dying
just to keep the ol’ flag flying
By order of the queen!

The clash of steel, may make us reel
But we’ll not give an inch.
For right and fame, we’ll play the game,
and we will never flinch.
Thro’ sounds of war and cannon’s roar
we’ll ever pray and sing,
“Shadows give us might, to fight for right”

By order of the queen,
(Shadows bless her)
We’ll fight and win or die
“The Nation and the queen”,
(Shadows bless her)
is the nation’s cry,

Our kingdom’s pride is fighting
Shadows bless them and vic’try bring!
For they are gladly dying
just to keep the ol’ flag flying
By order of the queen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeHHVuBtYFI

2 Likes
59

It warms my heart to see people post their own material to this thread.

Even more so that you posted this on my birthday :slight_smile: Thank you for sharing.

1 Like
60

A great and fun sing-along song about hunting that required no changes. Enjoy!

—The Keeper a.k.a. Among The Leave So Green O—

The keeper did a hunting go
And under his cloak he carried a bow
All for to shoot a merry little doe
Among the leaves so green, O.

(Chorus)
Jackie boy! (Master!) Sing ye well! (Very well!)
Hey down (Ho down) Derry derry down
Among the leaves so green, O
To me hey down down (To me ho down down )
Hey down (Ho down) Derry derry down
Among the leaves so green, O

The first doe he shot at he missed;
The second doe he trimmed he kissed;
The third doe went where nobody wist
Among the leaves so green, O.

(Repeat chorus)

The fourth doe she did cross the plain,
The keeper fetched her back again.
Where she is now, she may remain,
Among the leaves so green, O.

(Repeat chorus)

The fifth doe she did cross the brook;
The keeper fetched her back with his crook;
Where she is now you may go and look
Among the leaves so green, O.

(Repeat chorus)

The sixth doe she ran over the plain;
But he with his hounds did turn her again,
And it’s there he did hunt in a merry, merry vein
Among the leaves so green, O.

(Repeat chorus)

1 Like
61

Here’s one in time for Winter Veil. And here’s hoping that, despite what’s happening in the world right now, everyone here has a good christmas/yule/hanukkah/kwanzaa, and here’s hoping the New Year is when things finally start getting better.

—Azeroth Wassail—

(Chorus)
Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our bread it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassailing bowl, we’ll drink to thee.

(Repeat chorus)

So here’s to the dwarves, and to their big beards,
May the Gods send our master a happy new year:
A happy new year that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl we’ll drink to thee.

(Repeat chorus)

So here’s is to the gnomes and their pinchable cheeks
May the Gods send our master a good piece of beef
And a good piece of beef that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we’ll drink to thee.

(Repeat chorus)

So here’s to the orcs, and to their fierce eyes,
May the Gods send our mistress a Winter Veil pie;
A Winter Veil pie that may we all see
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.[note 2]

(Repeat chorus)

So here’s to the Tauren and to their huge horns
May the Gods send our master a good crop of corn
And a good crop of corn that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we’ll drink to thee.

(Repeat chorus)

Here’s to the draenei, and to their long tails,
May the Gods send our master a good cask of ale
Of a cup of good beer: I pray you draw near,
And our jolly wassail it’s then you shall hear.

(Repeat chorus)

Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best
Then we hope that your soul in the Shadowlands rest
But if you do draw us a bowl of the small
Then down shall go butler, bowl and all.

(Repeat chorus)

Then here’s to the maid in the lily white smock
Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock
Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin
For to let these jolly wassailers in

(Repeat chorus)

1 Like
62

Here’s another sea shantee. This one’s a little more risque than others, and required minimum changes. There are a few versions of this with different verses, so I just jammed together the ones I know into a nice long version. Enjoy!

—The Maid of Booty Bay a.k.a. A-rovin’—

In Booty Bay there lived a maid
Mark well what I do say!
In Booty Bay there lived a maid
A mistress of the whoring trade
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Chorus)
A-rovin’, a-rovin’, since rovin’s been my ru-i-in
I’ll go no moe a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

One night I crept from my abode
Mark well what I do say!
One night I crept from my abode
And I met this fair maid down the road
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

She swore to me that she was true
Mark well what I do say!
She swore to me that she was true
She’s true to the whole damn navy too!
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

I put my hand around her waist
Mark well what I do say!
I put my arm around her waist
She said “young man, you’re in great haste!”
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

I put my hand upon her knee
Mark well what I do say!
I put my hand upon her knee
She said “Young man, you’re rather free!”
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

I put my hand upon her thigh
Mark well what I do say!
I put my hand upon her thigh
She said “Young man, that’s rather high!”
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

I put my hand yet higher still
Mark well what I do say!
I put my hand yet higher still
She said “Young man, that’s quite a thrill!”
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

I put my hand upon her breast
Mark well what I do say!
I put my hand upon her breast
She said “The wind veers south-south-west!”
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

Now the wind is veering south-south-west
Mark well what I do say!
The wind is veering south-south-west
And her voice was as deep as an old sea chest
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

Now the cheeks of her bum was tight as a drum
Mark well what I do say!
The cheeks of her bum was tight as a drum
And her juicy lips was red as a plum
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

I pushed her over on her back
Mark well what I do say!
I pushed her over on her back
And then she let me have me whack
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

In three weeks’ time I was badly bent
Mark well what I do say!
In three weeks’ time I was badly bent
Then off to sea I sadly went
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus)

And when I got back home from sea
Mark well what I do say!
When I got back home from sea
A soldier had her on his knee!
I’ll go no more a-rovin’ with you, fair maid!

(Repeat chorus x2)

2 Likes
63

Keep them coming.

64

Would Oxhorn songs work as folk songs? Thinking of “The Great Kodo” and “We three dwarves” in particular.

65

They would, yes.

But Oxhorn is much more talented than me on account of being able to come up with his own original material and being able to make machinema videos, whereas I have no clue where to begin with any of that stuff and I just take traditional established songs and change a few lyrics.

66

Now, since Tolkien used the Welsh language as his inspiration behind the elven language he created, my own personal headcannon has always been that all elves sound vaguely Welsh, as in having Welsh accents when they speak Common, or their own languages sounding similar to Welsh (seriously, go watch a video of people speaking Welsh and tell me you can’t imagine that language coming from an elf).

And so, I had the bright idea one day of incorporating the national anthem of Wales into a song for this thread, as I can easily imagine it being sang by Sindori before or after a battle. And I can easily see the third verse being something added in after the Scourge invasion.

But yes, I swapped a few words here and there, but this required minimum changes. Enjoy!

—Land of My Fathers—

The land of my fathers is dear unto me
A land where the minstrels are honoured and free
It’s warring defenders, so gallant and brave
For freedom, their life’s blood they gave

(Chorus)

Land! Land! I am faithful to my land!
As long as the sea serves as a wall
For this pure, dear land
May our kingdom endure for ever

Old land of the forests, paradise of the poets,
Every valley, every hill a beauty guards;
Through love of my kingdom, enchanting voices will be
Her streams and rivers to me.

(Repeat chorus)

Though the enemy have trampled my kingdom underfoot,
The old language of the Sindori knows no retreat,
The spirit is not hindered by the treacherous hand
Nor silenced the sweet harp of my land.

(Repeat chorus x2)

Unfortunately the best versions of the anthem (imho) I could find only sing the first verse, I found others a little too bombastic for my tastes.

1 Like
67

This was a really easy one to rewrite, and it’s an absolute belter of a song. I thought I’d rewrite it as an ancient battle hymn of the first human kingdoms, a song to rouse courage in the hearts of men, and make trolls either cower in fear or bristle with rage. Enjoy!

—Men of Stromgarde—

Tongues of fire on Ignaeus flaring,
News of foe-men near declaring,
To heroic deeds of daring,
Call you Stromgarde men!

Groans of wounded peasants dying,
Wails of wives and children flying,
For the distant succour crying,
Call you Stromgarde men.

Shall the voice of wailing,
Now be unavailing,
You to rouse who never yet
In battles hour were failing,

This our answer crowds down pouring
Swift as winter torrents roaring,
Not in vain the voice imploring,
Calls on Stromgarde men.

Loud the martial pipes are sounding,
Every manly heart is bounding,
As our trusted chief surrounding,
March we Stromgarde men.

Short the sleep the foe is taking,
'Ere the morrows morn is breaking,
They shall have a rude awakening,
Roused by Stromgarde men.

Mothers cease your weeping,
Calm may be your sleeping,
You and yours in safety now
The Stromgarde men are keeping,

'Ere the sun is high in the heavens
They you fear, by panic riven
Shall like frightened sheep be driven,
Far by Stromgarde men.

1 Like