Tuesday, February 7. 2017
The Chentish people live a hard, bitter life; Chental is a barren rock in the middle of the Qorlean Sea, and its people have struggled to find their path in this modern world of qaa-powered streetlamps and steam-driven turbines. Once a band of proud conquerors, sending out regular raids against the Shorefolk, the Chent have in recent years turned to mercenarism. Their skills as sell-swords are highly prized, and their courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds can be best summarized in one of their beloved folks songs, "Bid Me Not." Sung as a call/response between the Chentish men and women, this song is traditionally performed before any warband leaves the isle; it speaks of their belief in an afterlife, and demonstrates how death in valorous battle is the highest possible virture for a Chentish man-at-arms.
Men | Women | Bid me not go down my dear | | Into the Summerlands | | | I will bid you go my dear | | If the Summerland doth call | Bid me instead to stay my dear | | To stay and hold your hand | | | But I will sing your life my dear | | As you join that storied hall | Bid me not embark my dear | | Towards those misty shores | | | I will bid you sail my dear | | Through mists, 'cross oceans blue | Bid me instead to stay my dear | | And I shall die no more | | | But I will sing your life my dear | | So that your course bears true | Bid me not depart my dear | | Into the deepening night | | | I'll bid you not to stay my dear | | For such is not our way | Bid me instead to stay my dear | | By your side, and in the light | | | But I will sing your life my dear | | To light you on the way |
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