This is what happens when you want a better recording of one of your old songs and your wife has amazing harmony ideas. Song is Wheel Keeps Turning, my Prosperity based song for Empire. Musically, this extra special edition takes a bit of a departure from the WM musical brief, so it is unlikely to be heard in the field in exactly the same way, but damned if I'm not happy how it came out. Big props to Emma (Malhann) for the sweet, sweet harmonies.

Wheel Keeps Turning (Extra Special Edition)

A song written for William Guildenstern: the soon to be folk hero and legend of the live action roleplaying system 'Empire'.

LYRICS

I'll entreat you to a tale about a name you might recall,
Of a man named William Guildenstern, a hero to us all.
Not one detail here is wasted, not one detail's overblown,
Let my voice become your chisel as we write this down in stone.

Well he started as a blacksmith when he marched away from Dawn,
Fought the minotaurs in Skarsind and with grace he slew them all.

Then he joined up the militia, seven years he served to tell,
Of when he nabbed the bloody butcher and all of Temeschwar as well!

Then assassins came to bleed him, all attempts they tried did fail,
He's a man who's duelled trogoni and has lived to tell the tale.

He's a senator, a skirmisher, all brains as well as brawn,
And got so much damn charisma that he's even liked in Dawn!

Woah, oh ho!
I sing of William Guildenstern!
Senator and skirmisher, a league unto his own.
Woah, oh ho!
I sing of William Guildenstern!
A just and true commander, he's a hero to us all!

Fought in Skarsind, unto Holberg, unto Mournwold, unto Karsk,
Even fought a Jotun war-prince and he beat him on his arse!

Battled monsters, battled dragons, battles far beyond belief,
Defeated ogres in a hurricane in nothing but his briefs!

Guildenstern is strong as stone and no assault can pierce his hide,
Caught a falling star within his chest, and still he didn't die!

Took a troll curse to his mind so that the Marcher-folk would thrive,
Like a blackened blade it ran him through, but Guildenstern survived!

Woah, oh ho!
I sing of William Guildenstern!
Senator and skirmisher, a league unto his own.
Woah, oh ho!
I sing of William Guildenstern!
A just and true commander, he's a hero to us all! X2

William Guildenstern!

I Sing Of William Guildenstern

It's virtuous to give, so in the season of giving let's give a little a back to one another. Big thanks to Leon for giving me some lovely sliding steel to let this track have a little extra yee-haw.

LYRICS

Help me brother, I've gone in too deep
Help me sister, spare a crown on me.

I'm not a priest of virtue,
But oh I know it's true,
If you help me out I'll pay it back to you.

When you're deep in doubt,
And your luck's run out
I'll pay it back to you.

When the dealing's done,
And the game's been won,
I'll pay it back to you.

When all is said and done you know we'll,
Have a drink or two.

Cause the world is kind to the prosperous mind,
I'll pay it back, pay it back to you.

Yes dear brother I can your fee,
Yes dear sister, oh this round's on me.

I'm not a priest of virtue,
But I can guarantee,
That I'll help you out the same way you helped me.

When you're deep in doubt,
And your luck's run out
I'll pay it back to you.

When the dealing's done,
And the game's been won,
I'll pay it back to you.

When all is said and done you know we'll,
Have a drink or two.

Cause the world is kind to the prosperous mind,
I'll pay it back, pay it back to you.

If you give what is yours,
Well you know that I'll give mine,
Cause prosperity's a remedy to keep my soul in line.
If you give what is yours,
Well you know that I'll give mine,
Oh prosperity, keep my soul in line.

When you're deep in doubt,
And your luck's run out
I'll pay it back to you.

When the dealing's done,
And the game's been won,
I'll pay it back to you.

When all is said and done you know we'll,
Have a drink or two.

Cause the world is kind to the prosperous mind,
I'll pay it back, pay it back

When you're deep in doubt,
And your luck's run out
I'll pay it back to you.

When the dealing's done,
And the game's been won,
I'll pay it back to you.

I'm out of crowns and running down!
So now the drink's on you!

Cause the world is kind to the prosperous mind,
I'll pay it back, pay it back to you.

Oh honey I'll pay it back, pay it back to you.

Pay It Back

Dedicated to two of the best troublemakers the Marches will ever know. You'll never have more fun, but you'll never get in more trouble - totally worth it.

LYRICS

First up is a firecracker,
Feisty to the tee,
She's the girl with all the gifts,
Oh she's the Marcher known as Bree

And she's a troublemaker mind,
Oh I'll make you mind,

She's dealt with cads and murderers,
She'll put you in your place,
She jumped first into the senate,
To punch Fisher in the face,

She's a troublemaker mind.

She's a troublemaker I will make you mind her,
Beauty and her mischief is entwined,
Can't resist that fire in her face that's,
Ambition and love and pride.

But you better get in line,

Second is an entity of passion and of soul,
She's a buxom mischief maker,
but she's better known as Coal,

And she's a troublemaker mind,
Oh I'll make you mind,

She's got suitors lining up for her from,
Freeborn unto Dawn,
Oh her smile could sell you anything,
But mostly sells you porn,

She's a troublemaker mind.

She's a troublemaker I will make you mind her,
Beauty and her mischief is entwined,
Can't resist that fire in her face that's,
Ambition and love and pride.

But you better get in line.

She's a troublemaker make you mind, out (out)
x (a lot)

Oh their merry mischief making,
Is a sight unto behold,
Put the two of them together,
and shenanigans unfold,

Because they're troublemakers mind,
Oh I'll make you mind,

Their laughter's like a potion,
That'll make you misbehave,
All the fun and games and laughter,
Save yourself 'fore it's too late!

Cause they're troublemakers mind!

They're both troublemakers I will make you mind their,
Beauty and her mischief is entwined,
Can't resist that fire in their faces that's,
Ambition and love and pride.

But they're still troublemakers mind...

Troublemaker

Wassail might be over, but it comes back again next time. It's only goodbye until it's good morning - Merry Christmas and Wassail!

LYRICS

Marcher-folk, where else do I start?
When Coal and Bree they lead the festive charge
To sing Wassail from Highguard to the Mark
A time for joy where the Marchers show their hearts

But now the songs have stopped
And the nights are growing dark
But the heart yet beats the start...
Of one more song.

Wassail is over
But my love's forever
Wassail is over
But I'll be back again next time

I belong with you, and you belong with me.
And we belong with thee.

To the marching drum, unto the day is done
Sing along with me.

Festival of love, and festival of song,
And festival of glee.

Sing a song of home and dance around with me,
O sing along with me.

I miss it all so much,
Now the nights are growing dark,
But the heart yet beats the start...
Of one more song.

Wassail is over
But my love's forever
Wassail is over
But I'll be back again next time
Wassail is over
But my love's forever
Wassail is over
But I'll be back again next time

I'll miss you all so much,
And the nights are growing dark,
But the heart yet beats the start...
Of one more song.

Wassail is over
But my love's forever
Wassail is over
But I'll be back again next time
Wassail is over
But my love's forever
Wassail is over
But I'll be back again next time
I swear I'll don my mask and,
Bring Wassail to you

I belong with you and you belong with me
We belong with... (repeat)

(It's not goodbye, til it's good morning time)

Wassail Is Over

Original Song written for EMPIRE LARP

Lyrics

V1.
A storm is a' brewing 
On a far way shore 
I sit there perusing 
In a cloak you once wore

The cup in my hand
As a trickle of rain
Swallows the mainland
And eases the pain

Ch.
Call me young
And call me silly
To hold my tongue
You're far too pretty 

For fears to water 
Your kind soul
Oh sweet marauder 
You will be whole

V2.
His eyes were honey
His laughter was warm
The weather was sunny 
When we danced in the swarm

He offered me heaven
He promised me stars
He taught me a lesson
As he strummed his guitar

Ch.
Call me young
And call me silly
To hold my tongue
You're far too pretty 

For tears to water 
Your whole life 
Oh sweet marauder 
You will be fine 

V3. 

We found a small lighthouse
Covered in leaves
Repaired it and painted
Without expertise

We slept by the lantern
We rose with the sun
Whatever I'd wished for
I knew I had won

Ch.
Call me young
And call me silly
To hold my tongue
You're far too pretty 

For fears to water 
Your kind soul
Oh sweet marauder 
You will be whole

V4.
I woke up that morning
But he wasn't there
A letter forewarning
A storm in the air

He left me defenceless
All crumpled in white 
I thought we were endless 
In joy and in strife 

Ch.
Call me young
And call me silly
To hold my tongue
You're far too pretty 

For tears to water 
Your whole life 
Oh sweet marauder 
You will be fine 

V5.

I stayed in our lighthouse 
Awaited you there
Just riddled in my doubts
Of our sweet affair 

I pray to the ocean 
I pray to the shore
Though my heart might be broken
To see you once more 

Ch.
Call me young
And call me silly
To hold my tongue
You're far too pretty 

To hope for someone
To return 
Oh sweet marauder 
For you, I will burn

I will be young
I will be silly
My tongue is sharp 
And oh so pretty 

For I will wait
A whole lifetime 
//Oh sweet marauder 
I will be fine  x3//

Lighthouse - Empire LARP Song

Second attempt at recording one of my first ever songs. Still not entirely happy with the mix, but it makes for a fuller sound than the original "singing into my phone" version.

Nowhere I'd Rather Be (v2)

A song for solemn farewells.

LYRICS

Sail on, sail on, gentle brother
Let a lantern light your way.
Now you don't have to fight any longer,
And your debts have all been paid.

So go on to the maze, you'll be welcomed
As the hero you became.
And your soul in my heart lives forever,
And I'll I never let you fade.

So sail away a lonely day
Until we meet, we meet again,
O sail away unto your calling,
O sail away
(x2)

I know in my bones there's an answer,
For the reason we're undone.
And I still hear your voice in a promise,
That you'll miss me when I'm gone.

But in life we still remain, to cast away the pain
And fall into the hole you left behind,
And I think "What would you say?"
With a smile upon your face,
Praying that we meet again someday.

So sail away a lonely day
Until we meet, we meet again,
O sail away unto your calling,
O sail away
(x2)

And we'll meet again someday,
When a lantern lights your way.

Sail Away

A cautionary tale of how things can end for those who stray from the path of old traditions and respect for their countrymen.

LYRICS

Comes the crooked tale,
Of a marcher lost their way again.
Sold away their land,
For the shadow of some personal gain.
Now the crop’s been low,
And the nation falls to strife.

But they know they can make right again,
When the Wickerman’s in flames.
They can burn and they’ll make right again,
In the Wickerman’s embrace.

So the marcher can,
Make amends for all the sin they’ve done.
So the marcher can,
Take the burden for the ones they love.
Oh the crop’s been low?
And tradition has been spurned?

But the Marcher can make right again,
When the Wickerman’s in flames.
They can burn and they’ll make right again,
When they die in flames!

Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul, and
Only the good and the brave can go
To the Wickerman’s embrace.
Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul, well
Only the good and the brave can,
Die in flames!
And we die in flames!
But the Wickerman remains.
Oh Ho!

I’ve come to tell you,
That there’s no place to run and-

Hide from all your sins,
And the weight of the mistakes you've made.
Things that can’t be cleansed;
No apology can make amends.
Now the crop’s been low,
And the nation’s life is struggling.

You’ll be glad you can make right again,
When the Wickerman’s in flames.
You can burn and you’ll make right again,
In the Wickerman’s embrace.

For the Marcher land,
You can make a noble sacrifice.
In the burning man,
For the nation you can still do right.
So the crop’s been low?
From the ashes we do grow!

For the Marcher can make right again,
In the Wickerman’s embrace.
They can burn and they’ll make right again,
If they die in flames!

Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul, and
Only the good and the brave can go,
To the Wickerman’s embrace.
Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul, well
Only the good and the brave can,
Die in flames!
And we die in flames!
But the Wickerman remains.
Oh Ho!

I’ve come to tell you
That there’s no place to run and hide
I’ve come to cleanse you
I’ve come to make the sacrifice
In the light, we’ll dance and we’ll be cleansed
Now strip yourself to skin and bone
And carry off our sins. I say!

Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul.

Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul, and
Only the good and the brave can go,
To the Wickerman’s embrace.
Burn to the ash and the blackened bone.
Pray that the virtues save your soul, well
Only the good and the brave can,
Die in flames!
And we die in flames!
But the Wickerman remains.
Oh Ho!

Journey On

The Wickerman

Podfic for "Stupid Cupid" by LyndziM
https://archiveofourown.org/works/53975920

Song used for intro and outro: "Stupid Cupid" by Connie Francis

Stupid Cupid

A song of Vigilance. As of the end of E1, it has not yet been performed at Anvil due to a loss of voice on Friday night.

Although my softest song, it is also possibly the most barbaric in terms of musical stylings as I still find writing to style hard.

I See You (vigilance)

Award winning composer, sound designer and multi-instrumentalist based in Wiltshire, England - Silgor designs sound and music for use in television, film and video games.

Whilst adept at synthesiser programming and song writing in several genres, he is best known fantasy orchestral soundtracks and as a pioneer of "medieval tavern rock". His latest music offerings come include the album "Journey On" which helped to earn him the "Bard of the Year" award at the 2024 UK LARP awards following support from music and fantasy fans.