We’re outlawed in, Gaiders Morn
With a heave-o, long way down
In Khan’s Shadow our names are spat
Full steam, avoid the Eye
We’ve fled our debts to Cheery Man
With a heave-o, long way down
His secrets paid our last night’s drinks
Full steam, avoid the Eye
The Abbey’s Rock, is soft as silk
With a heave-o, long way down
The Sisterhood waits our return
Full steam, avoid the Eye
Our final rest Fathomking’s Hold
With a heave-o, long way down
And we’ll dance once more before we drown
Full steam, avoid the Eye edited by maleclypse on 3/4/2016 edited by maleclypse on 3/4/2016
It is a work song usually sung when the zailors need to keep rhythm for something. It also tends to get popular when terror gets higher, for obvious reasons. According to rumours there is a version with two more stanzas called The Lilac Mutiny, but alas, this version is lost to the zee.
For every stanza foresinger sings the first line and chorus the second one.
[i]Lilac came on board in Irem
So the Captain tells us, aye
Lilac left the ship in Wolfstack
So the Captain tells us, aye
Lilac is the best of doctors
So the Captain tells us, aye
Lilac is the Maybe’s mother
So the Captain tells us, aye
Lilac is now back on our ship
So the Captain tells us, aye
Lilac wants to see the Statues
So the Captain tells us, aye
Thus we’re sailing now past Varchas
So the Captain tells us, aye
The song is exactly 100 words (with the direction at the bottom included in the count). I’m not sure if fluff texts count to the 100 words as well. If they do, please ignore this section here and proceed straight to the song below.
The ballad "The Kings of Saints-Haven" is a drinking song, to be sung by rugged fellows in a dirty pub. After the third stanza, mushroom wine is supposed to go round. Once the glasses are empty, one of the patrons will continue the song from the first stanza. To a first-time participant, the depicted events and characters may actually become clearer during the second time it’s sung, though that probably depends on the amount of mushroom wine consumed during the interlude.
(I have a melody for it in my head, but I really can’t name a song for it. But if you search for "limerick shanty" on youtube, you’ll probably find some suitable ones.)
=========================================
Once there was a new king in Saints-Haven
He had the most beautiful wife
Who could not resist
To see zailors on trysts
So he threatened her life with a knife
Once there was a sad queen seeking romance
Now heark’ning her husband’s harangue:
"They’ll never love thee
I myself was at zee
And I learned they care just for their gang!"
Once there was a brisk zailor, quite hansom
Rushed in to protect the young lass
And made her his bride
After swift regicide
To the new king, let’s raise our glass!
(repeat from start, won’t make sense otherwise) edited by Psyringe on 3/6/2016
You need to click through to vote using the survey listed on the tumblr post. There’s quite a few options including some which weren’t posted on this thread!
I start vacation in a rural area tomorrow. The announcement will probably happen before I leave, but if not, I’m going to have a fun mission tracking down an internet connection!
[quote=TheThirdPolice]I don’t think the shortlist is visible any more now that the poll is closed. And one of the two winners asked Failbetter not to link to their song.
That awkwardness aside, the other winner was Leknaat, whose shanty is here: Tumblr
Yes, that was all I was able to find. I really wanted to see the shortlist.
Kylestien’s "Oh,'Ow do ya stave off a ravenous 'unger" Marcurious’ "We think the Captain’s a Snuffer" My own "The Sinking of the Violant"
Maybe dragonridingsorceress’ "she’ll make us eat it"? Hundstrasse’s "LEADBEATER AND STAINROD" — hurray, I managed to google this one
And several more that I either didn’t recognize or that are not on this thread. Apologies to anyone I missed, you’re welcome to anyone I erroneously included.
