A soldier's repertoire.

((OOC note. This may prove an odd mix of songs but the aim is to collect/write songs that would fit a soldier who spends his time working from one fight to the other... or one bar to the other, if his wage allows it. ))

Poor Child
((Inspired by Boudewijn de Groote, meisje van 16))

By the road I saw a child,
Her face pale, no longer mild,
Staring about, lost in sorrow.
She lost her hope for tomorrow.

Once she had a home, nicely warm,
She abandoned that home so calm,
The way of life that held her near,
Was suffocating her heart so dear.

One day she had felt so lonesome,
She listened to a man so handsome,
She gave in to his sweet words,
Let her love grow beyond worlds

She didn't listen to reason,
Never would he commit treason
No warnings would she heed,
He would be all she'll ever need,

The word of her father daunted.
He would give her all she wanted,
All passion and love to be hers,
A life freed of all other slurs,

Feeling happy to be his wife,
So it would so be all her life.
She would love him to no end,
And followed him wherever he went.

They moved from town to town,
Ever more tired she came along,
Still she followed him through,
It proved her love to be true

She became neglected and ignored,
He didn't care and became bored,
But love was strong and deserved,
From him she wouldn't be deterred

But he grew angry and violent,
Neglecting her every moment,
Her efforts and words in vain,
He looked upon her with disdain,

Instead he would always heed,
The call of the bars and mead,
And women more ripe and wild,
His wife was to him only a child.

She lost her youth and belief,
For a man turned into a thief
The poor child was betrayed,
Her love and heart were unmade.

By the road I saw a child,
Her face pale, no longer mild,
Staring about, lost in sorrow.
She lost her hope for tomorrow.

I absolutely loved that so much. I've read it over and over again about 5 times now and I had to exercise all my self-control to just stop reading it to write this! :p The poem was so simple, both in pace and flow, and the words you used, but still the message and emotions it delivered were so powerful. If not for the fact that I'm so incredibly thirsty, I think I would have teared up :'(. If you don't keep writing more, I will be a very angry night elf, and you a very dead (and fat) human!!!!!

All right, so you inspired me to write a poem that I think fits the idea of sort of meandering soldier!!! I'm not sure if it'd be something Gavriel would write though, so do you mind if I post it here and see what you think? ^^

Thank you, Shaelyssa.
How can I refuse such a kind request?
Go ahead!

Aaahaha I'm very happy to hear you don't mind, thank you ^^! Well, here they are. I initially wrote the first one and then I thought maybe it doesn't work too well for Gavriel, so I wrote the second. I've posted them both to let you decide, but I think the second one suits Gavriel more. And if you want to edit them or change or just completely disregard them, I really don't mind :)!!!!

"Birds in cages always sing,
Yet never take wing;
How is it you can stand
From the skies being banned,
To never spread your wings
To see new things?

O Nightingale, with such ease and grace,
Do you sing from your barred place;
Far above humans fly
In the open sky,
Yet in your cage you remain,
So how is it you stay sane?

A free bird soars far up high,
No walls or bars in the sky,
He dips his beak in the sun’s rays,
And drinks the light of free days.
Yet no light or sky do your feathers meet,
So how is it you can tweet?

Even the birds of the pole,
Are free to go and stroll
The white meadows of the north
Where they can step forth,
And spread their plumes,
And breath free fumes.

But in your cage you stay,
Never seeing the open day,
You sing with gloomy trill,
Of things longed for still,
Yet none will hear your desperate song,
And free you to where you belong.

Farewell, Nightingale, goodbye,
And one day you shall fly;
Once your bars lay broken,
Your true song shall be spoken."

And then this one:

"I saw you in your windowsill,
Singing with that gloomy trill;
O Nightingale, with such ease and grace,
Do you sing from your barred place!

Many rooms is your cage,
Downstairs, upstairs, I can gauge,
And even I with my outworn sword,
Could hear your troubled chords.

In your prison your master keeps you,
His form crippled and gnarled too;
A pious vulture of the robe he is,
Seeking to always keep you his!

I looked upon your plumes many a-colour,
And I saw your naïve eyes go a-flutter;
Let me view you then, o Nightingale,
Free as you were without your metal veil.

Farewell, O Nightingale, goodbye!
One day I shall set you to the sky,
Once your bars lay a-broken,
Your heart’s song shall be spoken."

I think there is something missing between the last two stanzas of the second one, hmm ...

Both happy and sad. I like both of them. I'll rename this thread to "A soldier's repertoire", opening it up to your contribution
I think both variations should be used. Without 'recording', songs are memorized and passed on by learning. It wouldn't be rare to have variations of the same song.
In my old student fraternity, at least, we also had variations on some of our songs even though they were passed on with written texts. Imagine that

Both are very nice. Thanks.

Aaahaha I hadn't thought of it like that. I'm glad you like them though !!!! The first one was meant to be more litereal, the poem talking about the bird while in the second one, the bird was meant to be a metaphor for a girl (that caught the soldier's eye or something). Again I'm glad you liked them!! I'm really eager to see what you'll write next

I have a few more in mind but I'll need to give it more time to build in my head

Meanwhile a marching song!

To war we march! To War!

Drums, drums, on the earth,
Thousand boots, can be heard.
Soldiers of endless count,
To the battle we are bound.
To war, we march! To War!

Soldier stern, full of pride,
Brother in arms, at my side,
Maybe older, maybe younger,
Strong alone, together stronger,
To war, we march! To War!

Lance, armor of the best,
Reigning battles and hard quests,
See the paladins of the Light,
March with us in our plight,
To war, we march! To War!

See banners in the wind,
Golden lions of Stormwind,
Trumpets horn, swords unsheat,
Enemies prepare for your defeat!
To war, we march! To War!

If we meet our final end,
Think of loves that we defend,
Their voices sweet, scent of rose,
With us when your eyes will close,
To war, we march! To War!

Farewell, my love!

Men:
<insert name> my darling dear!
Your eyes are pretty and clear,
Your lips are red as a berry
Will come with me and be merry?

Chorus:
Let us feast on love and wine,
Let tonight be yours and mine,
In the hay, neath moon and star,
For tomorrow I march to war.

Women:
I love your voice and wild hair
But my heart tells me to beware,
Outside the ground is rumbling,
A storm and battle are coming.

Men:
The night is warm, stars bright,
Come with me dear, just this night,
I'll play the lute, sing a song,
Make you smile all night long.

Chorus.

Women:
But the ground grumbles in hunger,
It can not delay the battle longer.
Yet I'm tempted by your voice,
To ignore its terrible noise.

Men:
Let us spend the night together,
And see this moment as forever.
Your eyes are bright, smile sweet,
Let's walk away and our lips meet.


Chorus.

Women:
The trumpets flare, the bells ring,
Messengers shout, ministrels sing,
In this morning the time has come,
For young men to get their battle done.

Men:
Forget your worries for my dear,
Battle may indeed be near,
By your side I shall return thus,
When the land is safe around us.

Chorus:
And we feasted on love and wine,
Had a night of yours and mine,
In the hay, neath moon and star,
But today I march to war.

Women:
The Knights call you outside,
Along their side you'll stride,
Fight in the name of the King,
And protect the land of your kin.

Men:
Farewell my love and think of me,
When I return, we will be free.
Should my name return in stone,
Be free and do not remain alone.

Chorus.

Women:
Why has this life torn us apart,
Let war kill the man I needed hard,
After it promised a love so mild,
And left me to bear his child.

I like this last one very, very much. It's insightful for the few words it contains - where do you imagine it might be sung, in the world setting? Neither a marching song nor a drinking song... but it has the different parts to it, so not a harp-song for the fireside either. I'm curious what you had in mind for it.

I think this would fit soldiers drinking in a bar, before or after battle.

While I doubt Soldiers like to be reminded of the tragedy of war, I also think it's a reality so close to them that they can't escape it. I imagine songs would be sung among the troops partially to prepare themselves for the battle to come or to help them 'deal with it'. There are no theaters, drama series, iPods... your daily dose of world drama on the news. Hell, people don't grow up with tons of crayons, superglue, paper etc... self expression is thus far more limited. Musical instruments may not prove portable for a soldier except maybe a small flute.
The only relief they may have is song... so yeah... I think they would dare to sing songs even less cheerful, much like this song's end, as a relief or expression when they feel sad or saw a brother in arms die.

Alternatively (and I structured the song as such) the final verse could be the one verse everyone knows but never sings until after the battle. Like a taboo to wish someone good luck in theatre so to speak. Without the final verse, it's a very down to earth love song

I loved the marching song, the pace you made really suited the song. And the other song was just ... God I love you so much JP!!!! I was humming that song all through out my morning run !!! It's my favourite one by faaaar
Good job good job good job!!!

So many sweet words. You make an old man go mushi.

This song is a 'translation' from the "Drie schuintambours", a 17th century Dutch soldier song. It has a pretty good marching rythm to it and the Dutch version is still taught to kids to this day (or at least it was to me).
It could very well have an English counterpart already. If so, let me know

Three Soldiers

Three soldiers brave, came marching from the battle,
Three soldiers brave, came marching from the battle,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
Came marching from the battle, drum, drum.

One saw a girl, pretty like a flower,
Long hair in beads, wishing to be with her,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
Wishing to be with her, drum, drum.

Oh girl so sweet, you're pretty like no other,
Will you be mine, and join me at the altar,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
Join me at the altar, drum, drum.

Dear soldier kind, for you my heart could falter,
Marry I would, but you'll need to ask my father
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
You'll need to ask my father, drum, drum

Say gentle man, I ask you for your daughter
Her hand I lead, to live with love and laughter,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
To live of love and laughter, drum, drum.

What is your wealth? That you ask for my nearest.
Can you afford, housing for my dearest,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
Housing for my dearest, drum, drum.

I have on me, an armor of fine making
And two pair of boots, but love is for the taking,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
My love is for the taking, drum, drum.

Soldier be gone! You may not go to see her!
More she is worth, so I will keep my daughter!
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
So I will keep my daughter, drum, drum.

Say gentle man, it was worth knowing,
I will leave her, but will mention one thing,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
But will mention one thing, drum, drum.

My father is, a nobleman of Stormwind,
My mother is, a niece of our great King,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
The niece of our great King, drum, drum.

My soldier dear! You may now go to see her!
Lovely she is. You may marry my daughter!
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
You may marry my daughter, drum, drum.

Say gentle man, you may keep your daughter,
Say gentle man, you may keep your daughter,
Hitting the drum, drum, hitting the drum,
You may keep your daughter, drum, drum.

Ah, I like that one - you're collecting/translating/writing a repertoire that not only says much about soldiers and war, but life and love and social status - I'm really appreciating the flavour, as it certainly does add to the understanding of what a soldier might see and hear and think about.

Also, cheers for the explanation of the previous song. The idea of the unspoken last verse is very compelling.. I can imagine that being the case.

Aaaaand now that I've realised you play Gavriel, that's awesome: I was just saying to someone that the other night there was this soldier there when Roh was tending to wounded who struck me as being very well imagined, with his comments about not knowing many prayers but being grateful enough for his friend's safety that he'd say a few anyway (apologies for the bad paraphrasing). So from that mere brief meeting, I must say I already like the character.

Aww <3! It's appreciated. I find it a challenge to be liked with a poorly mannered (but otherwise good) soldier

As for the songs, yeah indeed! That's a bit the aim. I find RP one of the most enjoyable ways to explore history (a subject I struggled with in school). Instead of being the leading hero and immortal prince, I'd like to experience what it is like to stand in the shoes of the common soldier and people. Somehow those stories stick with me stronger than that of princes and kings. As if, somehow, I would stand in their shoes if would I have lived in their time and it depicts reality more clearly.

Nine soldiers

They were brothers, three times three,
Standing proud in the Stormwind army,
Tall and stern but kind in their heart,
Their swords were long, their shields hard,

They would clang a sword on their shield,
And shouted for no enemy they would yield,
That their shields form a wall of metal,
And to all their foes they would be lethal,

Once pillagers attacked a village foolishly
And were destroyed by these men valliantly,
Then the pipes were handled by a young boy,
And he played a merry tune, full of joy,

They clanged their sword on their shield,
And promised that for no enemy they'd yield,
Their shields together in a wall of metal,
Would prove, to all their foes, to be lethal,

From foreign lands came the evil horde,
They answered the call of the noble lord,
Even in the front line they stood bravely,
And stopped every orc wave relentlessly,

They clanged their sword on their shield,
For no enemy, however strong, they'd yield,
Their shields together in a wall of metal,
Had proven to all these orcs to be lethal,

But the campaign to defend had turned amiss,
Evermore hordes came from the portal's abyss,
They grew resolved in the face of this defeat,
To give their family and friends a safe retreat,

Each clang their sword on their shield,
Not against countless enemies they'd yield,
Once more they formed their wall of metal,
That had proven to many foes to be lethal,

So went the soldiers, three times three,
And passed into legends for you and me.
Hills carry their message, to willing ears,
Brought by a boy, playing his pipes in tears.

Dwarven beard, Dwarven shield,
Great skill on the axe they wield
Swinging one, two, three... hop!
Dwarfs will fight the mountain top.

Gnomish tool, Gnomish craft,
Skilled they are but they look daft,
Working one, two, three... hop!
Gnomish minds will never stop.

Human spirit, the Human mind,
A great friend in those you'll find,
Singing one, two, three... hop!
Such good friends you'll never drop.

Draenei strength, horns so small
But in their heart and walk are tall,
Fighting one, two, three... hop!
All the shadows they will whop.

Elven fierce, Elven blade,
Through the foes their glimmers wade.
Going one, two, three... hop!
And their blades dance through the mob.

Alliance strong, Alliance great,
Where all races pull their weight,
Uniting one, two, three... hop!
To war, Alliance horses clop!

I can surely imagine people marching to this last one. Idealistic sentiments, perhaps, but good for the recent wars! And as always, I do like what you're doing with the 'poetry & rhyme of the common man.'

Thanks! Common people rule! Wait.. that's sort of contradictory..

OH JP, these rock. Me and the Arathorians have been wanting some songs to sing, we may borrow some of these... but we can also start adding some of our own!

Heres a re-write Nygarth/croweye and Myself did of the Rains of Castamere. the original sounds like this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyWtfMvipOE

Its something we seem to be sining alot lately to Remember our bashing of the gurubashi five years back. Long may they be left reeling.

Seiken Lionmane wrote:OH JP, these rock. Me and the Arathorians have been wanting some songs to sing, we may borrow some of these... but we can also start adding some of our own!

Of course. I deem the songs common knowledge for anyone who wishes it.