Songs

Emberglow is a country where stories are often told through songs. Some of the most popular are given below.

The First Man and the Devil
Sung to the tune of The Rains of Castermere, this song is very widely known, though its origin story varies depending upon which minstrel you ask. Some claim it is the tale of Vaskr defeating some ancient demonic foe; others that it is an allegory for the age of heroes in general. The Ost believe that it is the story of their legendary hero Siegfried, who slew the mighty dragon Franmar, and thus liberated the race of men from the yoke of the dragonkind.

And who are you, the first man said,

that I must be your thrall?

Only a beast of the lowest pit:

you are no king at all.

For a crown of gold, or a crown of lead

can ne'er a sov'reign make,

and nary a true and proper throne

will ever sit a snake.

The devil cursed, the devil cried,

and all of Hell did roar,

but in the end, the fight was won:

the serpent reigns no more.

Yes, in the end, the fight was won,

and evil reigns no more.

Brave Old Ironhelm
Sung to the tune of Blow the Candles Out, this is was written by the minstrel Bartemius, a contemporary of King Julius I, to commemorate the Battle of Fluttershine, the final struggle in the Oster War.

On the last day of September

With glist'ning spear and shield

A famous fight in Fluttershine

Was foughten in the field

The most courageous soldiers

Were of th'Embari realm,

But the greatest in the battle

Was brave Old Ironhelm.

 'Stand to it noble pikemen

And look you round about

And shoot you right you bowmen

And we will keep them out

You paladins and wizards

Do them ye overwhelm,

While I shall stand afront the fight,'

Said brave Old Ironhelm.

Then quoth the Oster general,

 'Come let us march away,

I fear we shall be spoiled all

If we here longer stay,

For yonder comes Old Ironhelm

With courage fierce and fell,

He will not give one inch of way

For all the devils in hell.'

And then the fearful enemy

Were quickly put to flight

Our men pursued courageously

And caught their forces quite

But at the last they gave a shout

Which echoed through the sky

 'For Ironhelm and Emberglow!'

The conquerors did cry.

Then courage noble Emberglow

And never be dismayed

For if we be but one to ten

We will not be afraid

To fight off all invaders,

And safely keep the realm.

And thus I end the bloody bout

Of brave Old Ironhelm.

The Hills of Emberglow
Sung to the tune of Over the Hills and Far Away, this is a traditional Embari song which some believe predates the Kingdom. In truth, if it does, it is not by much, for the word 'Emberglow' is only attested around a century before the forming of the Kingdom. Nevertheless, this is a popular song for taverns because of its brevity, simple tune and cheerful sentiment.

A perfect land of green and gold,

Home to good, great, young and old;

For gods above and men below

Dwell in the hills of Emberglow.

"[CHORUS]""Over the hills and rivers cross'd""Drinking with Dwarf, Kalrash or Ost,""E'er long we shall return we know,""Back to the hills of Emberglow."

We all shall lead more happy lives

Settling for Embari wives

for each one of us has roots that grow,

Deep in the hills of Emberglow

"[CHORUS]"

Courage boys: this land so fair

Will here remain, nor anywhere

Shall ever be so free from woe,

That's not the hills of Emberglow.

"[CHORUS x2]"

The Half-Elven Queen
To the tune of The Age of Aggression, this gentle but cheery song emerged during the reign of Queen Ilaren, halfway through her century-long reign. Though the song makes reference to her continued health and long reign, and are thus almost two centuries out of date, the words have not changed. In fact, her recent death and lying in state has resurrected the popularity of the song. It is seen as an ode to a golden age of Emberglow which started with Ilaren and is perceived by many to still be upon the land.

[Lyrics to come.]