New Song - Redhound
This song has taken a while to write. I've been unsure of its suitability for Empire. Its chorus is cheesy and reminds me of 80's cartoon theme songs - such as He-Man or Thunder-Cats. I was also compelled to write the verses a little like Big Bad John by Dean and Roy Acuff. This evolved a bit in the writing and the later verses get a more Jesus Christ Superstar feel.
So, Eighties cartoon, Seventies musical, Sixties country and western. None of this screams "suitable for larp". To remedy, I am trying to pitch the performance with a theatrical flare and play up the Scottish accent. I am also pitching it mostly straight. I quickly found that if I went for farce, then it felt like a parody piece - which crossed the suitability line. It still feels fun and I think works as IC hero worship with the OOC tongue and cheek apparent only because of the larp setting.
Redhound is based on the background of Paul Ryder's Navarri character. Paul had written a character that was once a famous hero, but stepped back to raise a child, and decades later has been largely forgotten. The moment I met him in game and found this out, I thought "He must have a song". If ever there was a use for the Empire nation bards then it is for stuff like this. I really hope this song works in the field.
Redhound
Verse 1
Here's a little story,
About a legend of our time.
Whenever danger called,
He put his neck upon the line.
And in the midst of battle,
It is sure that he'll be found.
He's a hero of the empire,
And his name is Redhound.
He's Redhound. (x3)
Verse 2
You all have heard the tale,
Of how he slew Harku Long Axe,
Or destroyed a Jotun warband,
With a cunning night attack.
But, I'll tell you of the last days,
Of his people, strong and proud,
Of the Counted Sorrows striding,
And the vengeance of Redhound.
He's Redhound. (x4)
Chorus
Running at full speed.
Brave and free, is Redhound. (Redhound.)
Bursting through the trees,
Mightily, is Redhound. (Redhound.)
His enemies flee at the sound,
When out of the forest,
With a single bound,
He'll cut them down to the ground.
He's Redhound.
He's Redhound.
*howl*
Verse 3
In the forests of Liathaven,
For three long days and nights,
The Counted Sorrows striding,
Had fought with all their might.
But their last stand, it was nearing.
And the orcs were all around.
The Empire needed warning
And the task fell on Redhound.
He's Redhound. (x3)
Verse 4
“My place is here”, our hero cried,
But his thorn-brand cut him off. He said,
“The Marches must know of this foe,
Or the Empire will be lost.
“And one more thing I ask you,
If a father is allowed,
Take my child with you to safety,
Now's your chance! Go now, Redhound!”
Chorus
Verse 5
He dodged the first patrol.
But the second he attacked.
Chopping left and chopping right,
With the child upon his back.
He broke through the Jotun cordon,
With their hunters giving chase,
Through vallorn infested woodlands,
And never losing pace.
He's Redhound. (x2)
Chorus
Verse 6
Through cunning and through trickery,
Our hero did escape.
Saved the daughter. Saved the Empire.
But his people met their fate.
(Slow)
In honour of their sacrifice,
He built a stony mound.
For each loss, he placed a Jotun skull
All slain by him - Redhound.
Coda
And his legend will continue,
For his courage knows no bounds.
He's a hero of the empire,
And his name is Redhound.
Then up tempo and Chorus to end.
So, Eighties cartoon, Seventies musical, Sixties country and western. None of this screams "suitable for larp". To remedy, I am trying to pitch the performance with a theatrical flare and play up the Scottish accent. I am also pitching it mostly straight. I quickly found that if I went for farce, then it felt like a parody piece - which crossed the suitability line. It still feels fun and I think works as IC hero worship with the OOC tongue and cheek apparent only because of the larp setting.
Redhound is based on the background of Paul Ryder's Navarri character. Paul had written a character that was once a famous hero, but stepped back to raise a child, and decades later has been largely forgotten. The moment I met him in game and found this out, I thought "He must have a song". If ever there was a use for the Empire nation bards then it is for stuff like this. I really hope this song works in the field.
Redhound
Verse 1
Here's a little story,
About a legend of our time.
Whenever danger called,
He put his neck upon the line.
And in the midst of battle,
It is sure that he'll be found.
He's a hero of the empire,
And his name is Redhound.
He's Redhound. (x3)
Verse 2
You all have heard the tale,
Of how he slew Harku Long Axe,
Or destroyed a Jotun warband,
With a cunning night attack.
But, I'll tell you of the last days,
Of his people, strong and proud,
Of the Counted Sorrows striding,
And the vengeance of Redhound.
He's Redhound. (x4)
Chorus
Running at full speed.
Brave and free, is Redhound. (Redhound.)
Bursting through the trees,
Mightily, is Redhound. (Redhound.)
His enemies flee at the sound,
When out of the forest,
With a single bound,
He'll cut them down to the ground.
He's Redhound.
He's Redhound.
*howl*
Verse 3
In the forests of Liathaven,
For three long days and nights,
The Counted Sorrows striding,
Had fought with all their might.
But their last stand, it was nearing.
And the orcs were all around.
The Empire needed warning
And the task fell on Redhound.
He's Redhound. (x3)
Verse 4
“My place is here”, our hero cried,
But his thorn-brand cut him off. He said,
“The Marches must know of this foe,
Or the Empire will be lost.
“And one more thing I ask you,
If a father is allowed,
Take my child with you to safety,
Now's your chance! Go now, Redhound!”
Chorus
Verse 5
He dodged the first patrol.
But the second he attacked.
Chopping left and chopping right,
With the child upon his back.
He broke through the Jotun cordon,
With their hunters giving chase,
Through vallorn infested woodlands,
And never losing pace.
He's Redhound. (x2)
Chorus
Verse 6
Through cunning and through trickery,
Our hero did escape.
Saved the daughter. Saved the Empire.
But his people met their fate.
(Slow)
In honour of their sacrifice,
He built a stony mound.
For each loss, he placed a Jotun skull
All slain by him - Redhound.
Coda
And his legend will continue,
For his courage knows no bounds.
He's a hero of the empire,
And his name is Redhound.
Then up tempo and Chorus to end.