empire

Random mix of folks I like

Empire Stuffs 💜

Songs for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.  These are varying quality recordings mostly designed to convey melody but I am improving them every now and then.

Music for Empire

Empire

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

It was recorded on my digital dictaphone in my front room in one take, so it is very rough. And I was improvising the guitar for the most part.

Lyrics:

Miaren, Miaren,
Will we meet again,
At journey's end,
Miaren?

Oh dream, oh jewel,
Of Terunael,
Do tell me when,
Miaren.

How I recall,
Your towers of yore,
That once filled the blue skies,
Now ruined and worn.

But then, Miaren,
We'll see you again,
In new Seren,   
Miaren.


Oh new, Seren,
Our only haven.
From you we will,
Rebuild.

Our dream, our jewel,
Of Terunael,
Begins anew,
with you.

But oh... the road,
Calls ever to roam,
And walking the long trods,
I long for my home.

But then, Seren,
I'll see you again.
At Journey's end
Miaren

 
But the road, but the road,
Calls ever to roam.
And walking the long trods,
I long for my home.


But then, Seren,
I'll see you again,
When journey's end,
Miaren.

When journey's end,
Miaren.

Miaren

'The Cost of the Crown' Filked for the Empire Larp system, Original by Mercades Lackey.

From Emperor Hugh's reign: though the author is unknown some troubadours hint that it may have been Emperor Hugh himself who wrote it.

Lyrics:
The stars are very beautiful, above the palace walls,
They shine with equal splendour, still above far humbler halls.
I watch them from my window, but their bright entrancing glow,
Reminds me of the freedom I gave up so long ago.

The Imperial circlet of bright gold rests lightly on my brow,
I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow.
But once I took the crown for which I’d talked and fought and bled,
I found it heavy on the heart, though light upon the head.

Although I am the head of state, in truth I am the least,
The good Emperor knows his people fed, before he sits to feast.
The good Emperor knows his people safe, before he takes his rest,
Thinks twice and thrice and yet again, before he makes request.

For they are all my children, all, that I swore to defend,
It is my duty to become Emperor and trusted friend—
Of all my children high and low, from beggar to above,
The dearest are my old friends, who return my care with love.

The dearest are my old friends, swift to spring at my command.
Who give me aid and fellowship, who always understand
That land and people first have needs that I cannot deny—
So I must send my dearest friends to danger—and to die.

A friend, a love, a child—it matters not, I know indeed,
That I must sacrifice them all if there should be the need.
They know, and they forgive me—doing more than I require,
With willing minds and loving hearts go straight to grasp the fire.

These tears that burn my eyes are tears the Emperor cannot shed,
The tears I weep in silence are for all my friends now dead.
To you my Senators I plead, to you who scheme and lie—
That if you have compassion—let me send no more to die!

(slow) That if you have compassion, let me send no more to die...

The Cost of the Crown - Empire Filk

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

It was recorded in my front room in one take, so it is very rough.  Thanks to Jez Lawrence for recording equipment and expertise.

Redhound

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

It was a recorded, engineered and mixed at home on my somewhat rudimentary studio equipment. 

Lyrics:

Verse 1
How can you pretend to know of violence,
Sitting, reading fairy tales of war?
Tell me what's the worst that you can fear! A papercut?
My Dawnish friend, our wounds are deeper still.

Chorus
Ai! Ai-ee-eh! Ai-ee-eh!
Ai! Ai-ee-eh! Ai-ee-eh!

Verse 2
The borders of The Empire are too fragile,
To let an enemy get half-a-chance.
Kill them where you can,
Use everything you have to hand.
Noble grace will send you to your grave.

Chorus

Verse 3 with bridge.
The Striding walks the trod to save our homeland.
The Steading guards the wood 'till they return.
You would blindly wander in alone?
You cannot see.
You cannot hear.
There in the deep...
The Vallorn lie....
They never sleep...
They're waiting...

Chorus (x2)

Verse 4
On the road, the paths we tread are endless.
The weariness will wear you to the bone.
The enemy will wait for you to stumble.
With vigilance, your only coat of steel.

Chorus (x2)



Caution For The Dawnish Youth

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

This was recorded at my home.  The percussion and guitar were meant to be guide tracks only, but I liked the sound of the track with them included, so I left them in this version.

I also had a lot of fun with the backing vocals for this song and Navarr Running Song.  I even created characters in my head for the four singers  with very different voices, because... you know... roleplayer.  I think doing this helped to keep the sound ugly and brutal.

Call
As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

Response 1 (repeated after each line)
As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

Calls
As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

In the day or in the night we take our victory.
In the dark or in the light we're running through the trees.

Sure and swift, our arrows fly.
Upon our spears, all will die.

Know no mercy, heed no plea.
You cannot betray your enemy.

The blood will flow!

Response 2 (repeated after each line)
The blood will flow!

Calls
The blood will flow!

From the wounds of our foes!
From the wounds of our foes!

Their guts we'll spill!
With every kill!

KILL! KILL! KILL!
KILL! KILL! KILL!

As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

Response 1 (repeated after each line)
As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

Calls
As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

Know no mercy, heed no plea.
You cannot betray your enemy.

As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.
As Thorn. As Thorn. Navarri fight as Thorn.

Thorn Battle Cadence

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

This was recorded at my home.  The percussion and guitar were meant to be guide tracks only, but I liked the sound of the track with them included, so I left them in this version.

I also had a lot of fun with the backing vocals for this song and Thorn Battle Cadence.  I even created characters in my head for the four singers with very different voices, because... you know... roleplayer.  Doing this helped to keep the sound ugly and brutal.


Lyrics:

Call:
Navarr Navarr run in Wintermark

Response (repeated after each call)
Navarr Navarr run in Wintermark

Calls:
Navarr Navarr run in Wintermark

Navarr run striding over hill and over grass
Navarr Navarr are the terror in the dark

Navarr Navarr all barbarians do fear
Navarr will slaughter every enemy that's near.

Navar run fast.  Navarr run far.
Navarr fight hard.  Navarr kill fast.

Your blood. Your Loss. Your death.  Your cost.
Your life. Your loss.  Your head.  Your cost.

Navarr Navarr run in Wintermark
Navarr Navarr run in Wintermark

Navarr Running Song

On accordions, fiddle, guitar, banjo and ukulele, Way Out West play and sing all the old songs - some going back as far as the 1960s. 

Lithium

Here's a first look (...listen?) at our sound, with our own version of Dylan's All Along The Watchtower, inspired heavily by Bear McCreary's awesome arrangement from Battlestar Galactica.

Please help support our debut album: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/145750111/turn-of-phrase-debut-album

All Along The Watchtower

Lyrics & Music by Roland Orzabal
Performed by Turn Of Phrase

Our take on what a mechanical mind might think of when looking at the world. All the sounds in this track, with the exception of the vocals, are constructed from processed metallic sources - impacts, resonances, chimes, moving mechnical parts. Enjoy.


Our Kickstarter is in the last few days, and we need those few more pledges to keep making music. Please like, share and support us! 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/145750111/turn-of-phrase-debut-album

Mad (mechanical) World

A better version - or more accurately a remixed version done using Reaper.

Lyrics:

Verse 1
Long ago there was a mage,
A master of the night,
who sought Sadogua's might.

And to his arts he would slave,
But while he was away,
His wife, she loved to play,

With all the men, they say,
Throughout the night, and into the day.


Chorus
Lord Sadogua,
Give sustenance and praise.
Step into his domain,
And he'll amaze.

Lord Sadogua,
Gives succulence sublime.
Surrender to his sight.
And slowly slide.

Into the night... night... night... (slowly slide)
Into the night... night... night...

Verse 2
And so the mage, he made a pact:
All secrets be unsealed,
All mysteries revealed.

But when he caught her in the act,
He flew into a rage,
And screamed he was betrayed.

That this was kept from him,
Made him a foe of the Toad King.

Chorus
Bridge
The mage he learnt every ritual and spell,
To enter the night realm,
And overwhelm.

With untold magics, he traveled there alone,
And broke The Black Beasts throne,
All on his own.

But the brother of Wizards said, “Wait!
Look at the power you drew with your hate.
Though you insult me by coming here, still
This was my plan so I bare no ill will.
You got what you wanted, so why bare ill will?

Chorus

Verse 3
Of course, the mage he did reverse,
And The Black Sloth with a laugh
Gave him a magic staff.

But the staff, it bore a curse.
When the mage got home,
It flayed him to the bone.

For the Wyrm-King had lied,
And so the mage, he painfully died...

(Written by Jamie Wakefield)

Lord Sadogua

Still a work in progress, but while I learn how to home record, I thought I'd share.

This one has been done to a click track.  Guitars were recorded using two mikes: my semi-acoustics's pick ups and a shure sm58 placed up close. 

Audacity effects applied: compressor and reverb.

Lyrics:

Verse 1
Under distant skies,
Far from home am I,
A home denied,
Are the grasslands of Segura.

Oh! Those golden plains,
Of my childhood days,
So far away,
How I dream of my Segura.

Pre-Chorus 1
But stand tall.
Our time is nigh,
And we all,
Shall answer to the cry

When the Corsairs come,
The sound,
Will shake the ground,
The deaf'ning pound,
Upon the drum!

Chorus
When the Corsairs come,
With their swords as bright as flame.
When the Corsairs come,
Like a blaze across the plains.
When the Corsairs come,
How the enemy will flee.
When the Corsairs come!

When the Corsairs come,
They're the storm and they're the flood.
When the Corsairs come,
They're the fire in the blood.
When the Corsairs come,
How we'll sieze our destiny.

When the Corsairs come,
Our homeland will be free.

Verse 2
Through these ruined walls
And these broken folds,
I still recall, 
The day we lost Segura

All that still remains
Are the dark blood stains
And shallow graves,
Where we fought for our Segura

Pre-Chorus 2
But that pain,
Will surely disappear,
And our rage,
Will conquer any fear!

When the corsairs come,
The din,
Upon the wind.
Their blades will sing,
And dance as one!

Chorus

Bridge
Hear the Corsairs (x2)
Hear the Corsairs Come!
(Repeated)

Ah! (x7)

Coda – As chorus with finishing on F Dm E Am
Hear the Corsairs come...
(Then as chorus x2)
Our Homeland...
Our Homeland...
Our Homeland will be free.

When The Corsairs Come

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

This was recorded at my home. I need to add bass drum and some more guitars, but I wanted to show the work in the progress.

Lyrics:

Wait, silent, and still.
Kneel, watching, ready for the kill.
Feel, the forest, beneath you.
Wait, we're holding, hidden from view.

It's time. There's a sign, from the left,
And we're moving.
Rise, from the ground, with no sound,
And we're making our way.
And we're picking up pace.
The touch, on your skin, of the leaves,
As they brush past your face
And we're picking up pace
Aware, the front lines, of both sides,
Have begun to engage,
But we're moving,
And we're sneaking,
And we're flanking.

The crunch, of a twig, on the floor,
It seems deafening.
The whip of the trees on our sides
But we've not been seen yet,
But we're picking up pace.
Catch, the first sight, on the right,
As their moving in place.
And we're picking up pace.
To stop, and disrupt, interrupt,
All their strategy and planning,
And we're moving,
And we're running,
And we're flanking.
Flanking.

Charge! We're running.
Whistling wind as the arrows are flying.
Charge! We're running.
Screaming out threats as the bloodlust is filling,
Our minds.
And we're picking up pace.
The fear, in their eyes, as their caught, by surprise, 
As we're running, 
And we're leaping
And we're bursting out the wood,
Spears colliding.

Duck, to the left, block the right.
Keep on moving.
Thrust, to the chest, and their lives,
You have taken away.
And they can't match our pace.
Weaving our way, through their lines,
Bringing death in our wake.
And we're picking up pace.
Sever, and break and dismember and take
Now we're leaving.
And we're running.
And we're breathing.
And returning to our wait...

...silent, and still.
Kneel, watching, ready for the kill.

Flank Attack From The Forest

A re-mix. Drums have been removed (for now). Levels changes and some backing vocals nudged to make lyrics clearer.

Lyrics:

Blood of the Empire

Verse 1 - Am
When the world was young our home,
Was an empire called Terunael.

Through youthful folly it did fall,
That then set us on this road so long.

Bridge 1 – F Em
On and on the road we strode.
Like blood without the heart.
Like blood without a heart.


Verse 2 – Am F G Em Am x2
The heart of all Navarr's the throne.
Since the Empress came and made us whole.
We're the blood of the Empire's roads
And the blood of the Empire flows,
From the Throne.

In life we move through the great dance.
In death we walk the labyrinth,
We're the blood of the Empire's roads
And the blood of the Empire flows,
From the Throne.


Bridge 2 – F G
From the sacrifice of Thorn and Navarr
(From the sacrifice of Thorn and Navarr)
To the sacrifice of Merryn and Carr
(To the sacrifice of Merryn and Carr)


Verse 3 – Am F G Em Am x2
The heart of all Navarr's the throne.
(The heart of all Navarr)
Since the Empress came and made us whole.
(Since the Empress made us whole)
We're the blood of the Empire's roads
And the blood of the Empire flows,
From the Throne.

In life we move through the great dance.
(In life we move through the great dance)
In death we walk the labyrinth,
(In death alive in virtue)
We're the blood of the Empire's roads
And the blood of the Empire flows,
From the Throne.

Coda - F G F G Am
We're the blood of the Empire's roads
And the blood of the Empire flows,
We're the blood of the Empire's roads
And the blood of the Empire flows,
From the Throne.

Blood Of The Empire

This is a song for the Profound Decisions' live-roleplay system Empire.

It was a recorded, engineered and mixed at home on my somewhat rudimentary studio equipment.  I would like to add percussion to this at some point. Maybe redo the main vocal and add more guitar.

This is my first proper recording using Reaper - a Digital audio workstation software that I think I am going to stick with because it is awesome.

Lyrics:

Intro
Nigh-anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay
Nigh-anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay

Verse 1
Bold Hercynia,
Where the ancient pine grow,
On the mountain side,
In the dawning light.

Hear the water course,
through the deadly gorge,
See the long shadows,
Where we dare not go.

Cold Hercynia,
Where the rivers run fresh,
As the Northern breeze,
Stirs the mighty trees.

See the hunter stand,
Watching all the land.
Hear the silence fall,
When the Navarr call!

Half- Chorus
Nigh-anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay,
Hear the cold Hercynian Cry.
Anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay,
From the tallest treetops on high.

Verse 2
Brave Hercynia
Where the mountain lion lurks,
As the grizzly bear,
Sniffs the morning air.

See the badger stir,
'neath the fallen fir.
See the sly vixen,
In the foxes' den.

Old Hercynia,
Where the many herds roam.
On the valley side,
Where the hunter hides.

See the red deer sleep,
By the river deep,
See them run and flee,
When the Navarr scream.

Chorus
Nigh-anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay,
Hear the cold Hercynian Cry.
Anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay,
From the tallest treetops on high.

Anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay,
Where the mountains reach to the sky.
Anighy-yighy-yah, Anighy-yighy-yay,
Hear the cold Hercynian Cry.

Bridge
Higher than the stars at night
Farther than the bird in flight.
Prouder than the bravest thorn.
Louder than the thunderstorm.

Higher than the curving sky,
Farther than the eagle flies.
Prouder than the raging boar.
Louder than the lion's roar.

Verse 3
So Hercynia,
When your rivers are dust.
And the woods we know
Are a faint echo

When the mountains grand,
have been ground to sand.
Though the world may die,
You'll still hear our cry!

Chorus x2

Hercynian Cry

This song was originally written as part of my 30 day songwriting challenge raising money for Bardfest 2016 - and was first uploaded on Day 11 of the challenge. The challenge was by John Gathercole and it was to write a song entitled "Eagles over Therunin" which was to be set in the Empire LRP gameworld and be about Eagles seeing a massacre of Orc barbarians perpetuated by the nation of Navarr.

This is version 2.  The lyrics have changed since earlier versions.


Lyrics:

Verse 1
When the wind, in the South
Blows across the peaks of Morrow
See the eagles setting out
Gliding down into the bayou

There they soar, there they hunt,
For the snakes and eels they're fishing
But there's something in the swamp,
That they never were expecting

Chorus
Eagles, they’re gliding
And Eagles, they’re soaring
And Eagles, they’re climbing
For they are, flying over, 
Flying,

Over the fighting,
And over the falling
And over the dying
For they are, flying over,
Therunin.

Verse 2
There’s Navarr, in the trees
And they swing across the river
To a group of upon their knees
Waiting for their foes to follow

And the sound of the screams
Echoes to the cloudy heavens
Oh how strange this scene must be
To the eagles o’er Therunin

Chorus

Verse 3
There a flash, a sunlit blade.
There a spurt of blood projecting
Out across the sunken glade
Stains the mangrove deeply drinking

There it falls, and it sinks
As the arrows they are flying
Draws the creatures of the creak
Who will soon of orc be dining.

Chorus

Bridge
Through & through, Therunin
(repeated)
 
Chorus

Verse 4
When the wind, in the South
Blows across the swamps tomorrow
Breaks the stillness all around
And the silence in the bayou.

For the orcs, they have run
And the dead are disappearing
Fodder for the beasts and bugs
Soon the eagles will be feasting.

Eagles Over Therunin

This is Day 16 of my 30 day songwriting challenge raising money for Bardfest 2016.  This third challenge was by Nicholas Taylor and it was to write a piece  entitled Dance of the Drake/Dragon.  I went a little weird on this one.

I pretty much used this as song as a chance to play around with my home recording.  This is another case of getting to a point of "that's a song" and leaving the polish for another time.  After all, I have at least two more songs to get done before the 30 days elapses!

If you would like to challenge me to write a song within the next 14 days on a subject, topic or title of your choosing then simply comment. In return I ask that you donate to the Bardfest 2016 "concessions and travel fund" here: www.patreon.com/JamieWakefield

Dance Of The Drake

Gabrielle_Joanne_-_Trees_of_Liathaven.m4a

Work in progress.  Lyrics may change.   Will probably re-record and re-mix bits. This is version 4.

Lyrics:

Intro
We run fast and we stride,
And we run fast and we hunt,
And we run fast and we strike,
And we run fast and they hit the ground.
(repeat)

Chorus
We run and we… STRIDE!
(repeat)

Verse 1
Navarri, Grey Pilgrims, the 
time is soon nearing to stride.

(For the) feel of the trods, grants us
Magical purpose and pride.

When we,
walk with our stridings, we,
Fulfill a driving need,
To see our destiny,
End the Vallorn.

(Each) Morning we rise, and we’re
Revitalised,
And headily cry to the sky...

Chorus

Verse 2
(As we) cross the whole Empire there’s,
so much to learn and to see.

(Like the) Tombs of Necropolis
Witness our shared history

Or maybe we’ll journey far,
Into the Northern dark,
Well beyond Volodmartz,
Through Otkodov 

We fear not The Mallum, nor
Kalsea’s Jotun, so
Muster your courage and pride!

Chorus

Verse 3 (extended)
When the Bayous of Therunin,
Urge us to go out and roam…

When the Gold groves of Miaren,
Wave us good luck on the road…

Let’s go to Medruga.
Tassato, Segura,
to Weirwater, Semmerholm,
to Bastion.

To Kahraman and Bregasland
and on to Temeschwar  
To Kallavesa, Miekarova,
Casinea.  Still we’re roving 

North from Hercynia ,
West from Liathaven,
East from Brocéliande.
We walk the trods,

Through… Feroz, Reikos, Sarvos, Karov
Astolat or down to Morrow,
Sermersuaq, Hahnmark, Anvil
Ossium and all The Barrens

Mitwold, Mournwold, Upwold, Spiral
Skarsind, Holberg, Zenith, Redoubt,
Karsk.

Chorus x2

Outro
We run fast and we stride,
And we run fast and we hunt,
And we run fast and we strike,
And we run fast and they hit the ground.
We run fast and we stride
We run… and stride...stride...stride…