Sample Songs

The following are a few sample songs to whet your appetite. If you would like to write your own songs for your bard to sing, it is suggested that you get a book of old, traditional folk songs, and replace existing words with those of your own choosing.

Bonnie George Campbell (Scottish ballad)

1. Hie upon Hielands, and laigh upon Tay,

Bonnie George Campbell rode out on a day.

He saddled, he bridled, and gallant rode he,

And hame cam his guid horse, but never cam he.

2. Out cam his mother, dear, greeting fu sair,

And out cam his bonnie bryde, riving her hair.

The meadow lies green, the corn is unshorn,

But bonnie George Campbell will never return.

3. Saddled and bridled and booted rode he,

A plume in his helmet, a sword at his knee.

But toom cam his saddle, all bloody to see,

Oh, hame cam his guid horse, but never cam he!

My Gentle Harp (Irish love song)

1. My gentle harp, once more I waken

the sweetness of thy slumb'ring strain,

In tears our last farewell was taken,

And now in tears we meet again.

Yet even then while peace was singing

Her halcyon song o'er land and sea,

Though joy and hope to others bringing,

She only brought new tears to thee.

2. Then who can ask for notes of pleasure,

My drooping harp, from chords like thine?

Alas, the lark's gay morning measure

As ill would suit the swan's decline.

Or how shall I, who love, who bless thee,

Invoke thy breath for freedom's strains,

When e'en the wreaths in which I dress thee,

Are sadly mixed, half flowers, half chains?

Skye Boat Song (Scottish ballad)

1. Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar

Thunder clouds rend the air;

Baffled our foe's stand on the shore,

Follow they will not dare.

2. Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,

Ocean's a royal bed;

Rock'd in the deep, Flora will keep

watch by your weary head.

3.Many's the lad fought on that day,

Well the claymore could wield

When the night came, silently lay

Dead on Culloden's field.

4. Burn'd our homes, exile and death

Scatter the loyal men;

Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath,

Charlie will come again.

Chorus:

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,

"Onward!" the sailors cry.

"Carry the lad that's born to be king

Over the sea to Skye!"

The Minstrel Boy (Irish song of valor)

1. The minstrel boy to the war is gone,

In the ranks of death you'll find him;

His father's sword he has girded on,

And his wild harp slung behind him.

"Land of song!" said the warrior bard,

"Though all the world betrays thee,

One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,

One faithful harp shall praise thee."

2. The minstrel fell, but the foeman's chain

Could not bring that proud soul under;

The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,

For he tore its chords a sunder;

And said, "No chain shall sully thee,

Thou soul of love and bravery

Thy songs were made for the pure and free,

They shall never sound in slavery."

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