Folk songs for Azeroth 2

Lore Role-playing
68

This one’s an old classic, though this version is a little more bawdy than others. Required minimum changes. Enjoy!!

—Blow the Man Down—

I was as pissed as a parrot in Paradise Street
(Wey-hey, blow the man down!)
When a mingin’ old strumpet I chanced for to meet
(Gimme some time to blow the man down!)

She had hair like a scarecrow and a rollin’ glass eye
(Wey-hey, blow the man down!)
And I fell for her charms as she hobbled on by
(Gimme some time to blow the man down!)

(Chorus)
Blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down
Wey-hey, blow the man down!
Blow him right back into Boralus town
Gimme some time to blow the man down!

Her top sails were flapping, hеr rigging ran free
(Wey-hey, blow the man down!)
And shе clued up her corset and winked right at me
(Gimme some time to blow the man down!)

She was steamy and beamy and broad in the bow
(Wey-hey, blow the man down!)
‘Get your coat, boy, you’ve pulled, and come home with me now’
(Gimme some time to blow the man down!)

(Repeat Chorus)

Well I slapped and tickled, she giggled and swooned
(Wey-hey, blow the man down!)
And all the night long we canoodled and spooned
(Gimme some time to blow the man down!)

Yes, all the night long, won’t you give me a clap?
(Wey-hey, blow the man down!)
And that’s just what she give me, and I ain’t goin’ back
(Gimme some time to blow the man down!)

(Repeat chorus x2)

69

This is a sad song about a lover scorned and deceived. Required minimum changes. Enjoy!

—The Blacksmith—

Oh, a blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand
He looked quite clever
And if I were with my love
I’d live forever.

But where is my love gone
With his cheeks like roses
And his good black Billycock on
Decked round with primroses
I’m afraid the scorching sun
Will shine and burn his beauty
And if I was with my love
I’d do my duty.

Strange news is coming to town
Strange news is carried
Strange mews flies up and down
That my love is married.
I wish them both much joy
Though they can’t hear me
And may fate reward him well
For the slighting of me.

Don’t you remember when
You lay beside me
And you said you’d marry me
And not deny me
If I said I’d marry you
It was only for to try you
So bring your witness love
And I’ll not deny you.

No witness have I none
Save the gods almighty
And may they reward you well
For the slighting of me
Her lips grew pale and wan
It made a poor heart tremble
To think she loved a one
And be proved deceitful.

Oh, a blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand
He looked quite clever
And if I were with my love
I’d live forever.

2 Likes
70

A protest song that I can imagine being sung by Crowley’s rebellion before the Worgen curse, or among the Defias Brotherhood and their converts. A few changes had to be made here and there. Enjoy!

—Idlers and Skivers/Knocking at the Door—

We’re the idlers, we’re the skivers, we’re the undeserving poor
See how prettily we curtsy and we bow?
See us stand with cap in hand again outside the rich man’s door
For the new austerity age is dawning now
And we mind our manners as before, we watch our Q’s and P’s
We’re grateful for the handouts and we always try to please
And we will not raise our heads when they prefer us on our knees
For we’re only idle undeserving poor

(Chorus)
But we’re knocking at the door, we’re knocking at the door
And a penny in the poor man’s hand will no longer do
You’d better open wide and let us come in inside
For the knocking’s nearly over, then the door’s coming through

We were jumped up little oiks and irks, the undeserving poor
When we found ourselves the masters for a day
For we’d fought and bled and died to help to win the kingdom’s wars
And we thought we’d earned the right to have our say
So we sang of the promised land, they didn’t like the song
They threw their spanners in the works and laughed when all went wrong
And we should have known they’d never let us be the masters long
Not the jumped up oiks, the undeserving poor

(Repeat chorus)

Then they taught us to be selfish, never had it so good poor
And they dangled such a tempting, juicy fly
And we saw their shabby goodies in an ‘I’m Alright Jack’ store
And we couldn’t wait to rush inside and buy
For then money was the godhead and the only gospel greed
We sold our gains to meet the rich’s non-existent need
With a mess of tatty trinkets and a pile of plastic beads
And we stayed the idle, undeserving poor

(Repeat chorus)

Still we trusted in their promises, we undeserving poor
When they said we march toward some sunlit plain
All the dark times were behind us, only golden days before
Then they turned into the same old lies again
For they gave the rope we asked for and we didn’t have a care
They showed us to the scaffold, and we blithely climbed the stair
Then they kicked away the trap and left us hanging in the air
And we’re hanging still, the undeserving poor

(Repeat chorus)

And if you’ve not yet enlisted in the army of the poor
Never fear, your call up papers on it’s way
Or perhaps you think you’re fireproof, well you’d better think some more
For your turn is coming soon some future day
They don’t need you on the land now or mopping up the floors
But they will need you when they go and start the next big war
Let’s be ready when they start to ask what do they need you for?
When you’re only idle, undeserving poor

(Repeat chorus)

But you haven’t done your duty when you’ve sung about the poor
If you never raise a hand to ease their plight
If you sing the chorus louder, it might ease your conscience more
But pious thoughts do not excuse you from the fight
For the times are getting harder and we haven’t seen the worse
They still foul the wells of plenty while so many die of thirst
And we will rebuild the promised land but clean the temple first
And they’ll wish they’d taken pity on the poor.

(Repeat chorus x2)

2 Likes
71

This song is so powerful… For all those who love pirate/travel themes, this one is for you.
Very popular song.

It describes the World of Warcraft adventure as a character, who discovers the beauty of Azeroth and some of the other sides of it as well.

The landscapes tell the story
This life has many shades
I’d wake up every morning and before I’d start each day
I’d take a drag from last night’s cigarette
That smoldered in it’s tray
Down a little something and then be on my way

I traveled far and wide
And laid this head in many ports
I was guided by a compass
I saw beauty to the north
I drew the tales of many lives
And wore the faces of my own
I had these memories all around me
So I wouldn’t be alone

Some may be from showing up
Others are from growing up
Sometimes I was so messed up and didn’t have a clue
I ain’t winning no one over
I wear it just for you
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo

This one’s for the mighty sea
Mischief, gold and piracy
This ones for the land that raised me
Taught me sacrifice and bravery
This one’s for our favorite game
Black and gold, we wave the flag
This one’s for my family name
With pride I wear it to the grave

Some may be from showing up
Others are from growing up
Sometimes I was so messed up and didn’t have a clue
I ain’t winning no one over
I wear it just for you
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo

This one means the most to me
Stays here for eternity
A ship that always stays the course
An anchor for my every choice
A rose that shines down from above
I signed and sealed these words in blood
I heard them once, sung in a song
It played again and we sang along

You’ll always be there with me
Even if you’re gone
You’ll always have my love
Our memory will live on

Some may be from showing up
Others are from growing up
Sometimes I was so messed up and didn’t have a clue
I ain’t winning no one over
I wear it just for you
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
With pride I’ll wear it to the grave for you
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
I’ve got your name written here
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
Signed and sealed in blood I would die for you

Dropkick Murphys - “Rose Tattoo”

3 Likes
72

This is my take on the classic of our generation’s childhood. It isn’t a folk song to be honest but you’ve prolly heard that one at transmogrification void stations all across Azeroth some time before.

I want to be the very best
Like no one ever was
Collectin’ gear is my new quest
To flex it is my cause

I shall travel across the land
Searching far and wide
I cut and sew to understand
No piece is meant to hide

Transmog on! Got to wear them all
On streets and then at a ball
Transmog on! Oh, you’re my best friend
In a world we must defend

Transmog on! Is this what I fit into?
Oh diet will pull me through
It’s what makes me look so good
Transmog on!
Put your transmog on, got to wear them all
Aye!

Every challenge along the way
I’ll face with elegance
I shall transmog every day
And you will cheer an’ dance

Come with me, the time is right
There’s no better gear
Arm in sleeve, we’ll fit this tight
It suits you well my dear

Transmog on! Got to wear them all
On streets and then at a ball
Transmog on! Oh, you’re my best friend
In a world we must defend

Transmog on! Is this what I fit into?
Oh diet will pull me through
It’s what makes me look so good
Transmog on!
Put your transmog on, got to wear them all

Got to wear them all
Got to wear them all
Got to wear them all
Aye!

3 Likes
73

Not quite what I was expecting, but it got a guffaw out of me :rofl:

1 Like
74

An old mourning song, to the tune of lullaby of pan’s labyrinth.

Hear the spirits from the past
fallen from the faithful path
troubled journey come to end
too soon
for all to see

Remember him for what he was
Elf so troubled by his past
weakened by the pain inside
but strong
standin’ firm in life

Brother
where have you gone
what have you done
at ends

Elune do hold him dear
shed for him a silver tear
rest at last for our fallen peer

3 Likes
75

Damn… given that this character lost a brother at Tedrassil, this one actually hit me pretty hard <3

2 Likes
76

A good old mining song. Enjoy!

—I Can Hew, Boys—

(Chorus)
I can hew boys, I can hack it out
I can hew the coal, I can dance and shout.
I can hew boys, coal that’s black and fine,
I’m a collier lad, working down the mine.

On a Monday’s day, it’s well I do admire,
When I sits at home by me own coal fire.
Then it’s off to the pub, for a glass or two
For to work on a Monday, that would never do.

(Repeat Chorus)

Well I likes my whiskey and I likes my beer.
I’ll drink fourteen pints and I’ll not feel queer.
I can hold my liquor good as any man.
And I’ll dance and sing as long as I can.

(Repeat Chorus)

Well my boy’s fourteen, he’s a strappin’ lad
And he’ll go to he pits soon, just like his dad.
And when Friday comes, we’ll pick up our pay.
And we’ll drink together, to round out the day.

(Repeat Chorus)

And its when I’m dead, oh I know full well,
I’ll not go to the Light, I am bound for hell.
And my pick and shovel, the demons will admire,
And they’ll set me hewin’ coal for their own hell fire.

(Repeat Chorus)

1 Like
77

Another shantee. This one needed some slight changes. Enjoy!

—Whup Jamboree—

The pilot he looks out ahead
The hands on the cane heavin of the lead
And the old man roars to wake the dead
Come and get your oats me son

(Chorus)
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
Oh ya long-tailed black mare comin’ up behind
Whup! Jamboree, Whup! Jamboree
A-come and get your oats my son

Oh, now we pass the lighthouse lights
And then, me boys, we’ll heave in sight
We’ll have some fun ashore, tonight
Come and get your oats my son

(Repeat chorus)

Now when we get to the black wall dock
Those pretty young girls come out in flocks
With short-legged drawers and long-tailed frocks
Come and get your oats me son

(Repeat chorus)

And now the bar-ship is in sight
We’re picking on up to the old Rock Light
Gonna get the ol’ stick taped tonight
Come and get your oats me son

(Repeat chorus)

Well, then we’ll walk down limelight way
And with all the girls will spend our pay
We’ll not see more 'til another day
Come and get your oats me son

(Repeat chorus)

And soon we’ll see the port ahead
No more salt beef, no salt bread
I catch my Jinny and it’s off to bed
Come and get your oats me son

(Repeat chorus x2)

1 Like
78

Bumping to keep this wonderful thread alive

2 Likes
79

Here’s another shanty. This one required minimal changes. Enjoy!!

—Randy Dandy-o!—

Now you’re ready to sail for Stranglethorn
Way hey, roll and go!
Our boots and our clothes, boys, are all in the pawn,
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Chorus)
Heave a pawl, heave away
Way hey, roll and go!
The anchor’s on board and the cable’s all stored
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

Soon we’ll be warping her out through the locks
Way hey, roll and go!
Where the pretty young girls all come down in their frocks
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Repeat chorus)

Man the stout capstan and heave with a will!
Way hey, roll and go!
Soon we’ll be driving her 'way down the hill!
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Repeat chorus)

Heave away, bullies, ye parish-rigged bums,
Way hey, roll and go!
Take yer hands from yer pockets and don’t suck yer thumbs.
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Repeat chorus)

Goodbye to Sally, and goodbye to Sue
Way hey, roll and go!
And you on the pier, well we’ll goodbye to you
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Repeat chorus)

Come breast the bars, bullies, heave her away
Way hey, roll and go!
Soon well be rolling her down through the bay
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Repeat chorus)

We’re outward bound for ol’ Booty Bay,
Way hey, roll and go!
Get crackin’, my lads, it’s a hell o’ a way!
To me, rollicking randy dandy-o!

(Repeat chorus x2)

1 Like
80

A little elven song, about the times of peace that we have had. Written to the tune of Lord of the Dance.

Age of Peace

I woke this evening when the stars did shine,
I donned a garb of a cloth most fine
I walked through the forest with the evening breeze
and I now look back on an age of ease

Rejoyce then, wherever you may be!
A hundred years of peace know we,
And She guides us all, wherever you may be
Another hundred years of peace know we!

Elune watches over us from her place in the sky
And we live these nights with our heads held high
Our vigil is not at an end
don’t let that worry you tonight my friend,

Rejoyce then, wherever you may be!
A hundred years of peace know we,
And She guides us all, wherever you may be
Another hundred years of peace know we.

2 Likes
81

Amazing topic everyone! I would love to see more of this!

4 Likes
82

This is a lovely song from the north east of England. As with my previous songs from the region, I’d like to think it can pass off as a dwarf song (I want to see dwarves with Newcastle accents someday Blizz :stuck_out_tongue: ) This one required a few changes, but I managed well enough. Enjoy!!

—The Bonny Ironforge Lass—

I’ll warrant ye’ve never seen me lass, her name I cannot mention,
For fear ye’ll gan an’ tell her how I like her, so I dee!
Well it’s only for lads and lasses for te whisper their affection,
The bonniest lass in Ironforge’s bonny face has bothered me
The bonniest lass in Ironforge’s bonny face has bothered me

Well the first time I saw her, I thowt I didn’t know her,
But I’m sure I’d seen her face before, I couldn’t think of where,
Her blue eyes met mine in passing, up the Commons in the morning
And her look was so entrancing that me heart was mine ne mair
Her look was so entrancing that me heart was mine ne mair

Well I didn’t see her for a week, then one night at the tavern,
I stamped upon her gown, and the gathers they come away,
She told us I was clumsy, and I said that I was sorry,
And I humbly begged her pardon, I was licked for what to say
I humbly begged her pardon, I was licked for what to say

So I walked on by her side, just as if I had a right to dee,
The conversation first was shy, but then it turned first class,
We talked about the weather- and she mentioned that her father
Was an alchemist and a healer, oh me bonny Ironforge lass
An alchemist and a healer, oh me bonny Ironforge lass

She mentioned, confidentially, that her uncle was a grocer
And her mother’s, father’s, cousin, was a puddler at the Great Forge
She talked so nice and friendly and she looked both sweet and pleasant,
I thowt I’d never seen a lass so charming like before
I thowt I’d never seen a lass so charming like before

She says her mother keeps a shop and sells hot pies and candy,
And her brother he’s a cobbler for the gnomes in Tinker Town,
Now she was a dressmaker and we got on so well together
I blessed I’d been so a’kward as to stand upon her gown
I blessed I’d been so a’kward as to stand upon her gown

I make her laugh and slap me lug with talking lots of nonsense,
But bless you, when you’re courting, why there’ s nowt so good’ll pass,
I asked her, would she be me lass and I’d take her out on Sunday,
To my delight she says “I might”, me bonny Ironforge lass
To my delight she says “I might”, me bonny Ironforge lass

1 Like
83

This one required no changes at all. Enjoy!

—Young Banker—

As I walked out one morning fair
To view the green fields and take fresh air,
I saw young banker standing there
And his true love was a lady fair.

(Chorus)
Young banker he had such a handsome face
All around his hat he wore a band of lace;
Beside such an handsome head of hair,
For my young banker I will go there.

He said, “My pretty fair maid, will you go on deck,
With a chain of gold around your neck?
Whatever you do I will prove true.”
But the answer that she gave was, “I’ll have none of you!”

(Repeat chorus)

So young banker turned around for to go away
She called after him for to bid him stay,
“Oh stay, oh stay, and I will prove true.”
But the answer that he gave was, “I’ll have none of you!”

(Repeat chorus)

Now she thought she heard a foreign man say,
“Pack up your clothes and come away.”
It pierced her through the very heart
To think that young banker and her should part.

(Repeat chorus)

So come all you pretty fair maids with senses of loss
Since the day in love you have been crossed,
For you may lament and you may say
Forever rue the day that you said nay.

(Repeat chorus x2)

1 Like
84

This one took a few modifications, but I think it works. I took an old pagan version of a christmas carol and changed it to make it sound like something the Night Elves (and possibly Tauren) could have sang in ancient times during Winter Veil. Enjoy!!

—The Holly and the Ivy—

Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The shining of the Winter stars
As the longer days grow near

The Holly and the Ivy
In the forest side by side
The Goddess and the Horned One
Together shall abide

The leaping of the cauldron
And the dancing by its light
The singing of the Solstice songs
To celebrate this night

The Holly and the Ivy
In the forest side by side
The Goddess and the Horned One
Together shall abide

Our Lady is the Goddess
Whose magic runs in the earth
Let us dance around her circle
The circle of rebirth

The Holly and the Ivy
In the forest side by side
The Goddess and the Horned One
Together shall abide

The night is cold and dark
But tomorrow we shall see
The coming of the sunrise
In light and majesty

The Holly and the Ivy
In the forest side by side
The Goddess and the Horned One
Together shall abide

1 Like
85

This is a harsh song about the horrors and realities of coal mining. It was written by Alex Glasgow in 1968, inspired by the many stories that came out of the coal mines of the north east of England where he was from, but I think it was after the Aberfan disaster in 1966 when he made the decision to pen this song, given the horrific loss of life.

Only needed to change a single word, the rest remains unchanged. It could easily work as a dwarf, human, even gnomish song. Please enjoy.

—Close the Coalhouse Door—

Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s blood inside,
Blood from broken hands and feet,
Blood that’s dried on blackened meat,
Blood from hearts that know no beat.
Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s blood inside.

Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s bones inside,
Mangled, broken piles of bones,
Buried 'neath a mile of stones,
And there’s no-one there to hear the moans.
Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s bones inside.

Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s bairns inside,
Bairns that had no time to hide,
Bairns who saw the blackness slide,
Oh, there’s bairns beneath the mountainside.
Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s bairns inside.

Close the coalhouse door, lad, and stay outside.
For Geordie’s standin’ at the door
While Mrs Jackson, like a fool,
Complains about the price of coal.
Close the coalhouse door, lad, and stay outside.

Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s blood inside,
Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s bones inside,
Close the coalhouse door, lad. There’s bairns inside,
Close the coalhouse door, lad, and stay outside.

86

This is a song that used to be often sung at funerals and wakes. I’ve sung it at wakes and graves of friends myself. I decided not to change any lyrics as I feel it would take away from the feel of the song. Enjoy.

—Thousands or More—

The time passes over more cheerful and gay
Since we’ve learnt a new act to drive sorrows away
Sorrows away, sorrows away, sorrows away
Since we’ve learnt a new act to drive sorrows away.

Bright Phoebe awakes so high in the sky
With her red rosy cheeks and her sparkaling eye
Sparkaling eye, sparkaling eye, sparkaling eye
With her red rosy cheeks and her sparkaling eye.

If you ask for my credit you’ll find I have none
With my bottle and friends you will find me at home
Find me at home, find me at home, find me at home
With my bottle and friends you will find me at home.

Although I’m not rich and although I’m not poor
I’m as happy as those that’s got thousands or more
Thousands or more, thousands or more, thousands or more
I’m as happy as those that’s got thousands or more.

1 Like
87

Well I figured it was only a matter of time before I would do this one. I’ve kept the same title as the other Darkmoon Faire song I posted a while ago, because I thought it would make for funny IC situations where people ask for the Darkmoon Faire song, someone starts singing, and someone in the group says “No, not that one, the other one.”

I’ve added some additional verses from the traditional versions to flesh the song out a little more, but left out the ‘Canticle’ lyrics Simon and Garfunkle wrote into the song. Enjoy!

—Darkmoon Faire/The Elfin Knight—

Are you going to Darkmoon Faire?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Without no seams nor needle work
Then she’ll be a true love of mine

Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Which never sprung water nor rain ever fell
And then she’ll be a true love of mine

Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Which never bore blossom since time long since gone
And then she’ll be a true love of mine

Tell her to find me an acre of land
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strands
Then she’ll be a true love of mine

Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
Then she’ll be a true love of mine

Are you going to Darkmoon Faire?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine

There are also alternative refrains of ‘Parsely, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme’ that have been used down the ages, so pick your favorites, depending on your characters’ personalities and experiences:

  • “Sober and grave grows merry in time”
  • “Every rose grows merry with time”
  • “There’s never a rose grows fairer with time”
  • “Yesterday holds memories in time”
1 Like