Raise the Tribes for Starbrow

Gloranthan Folk Tales

Gloranthan Songbook

Moonie Madness

Carmanian Sources

Malkioni Scriptures

With the news out of Boldhome and all the rumours and counter-rumours, I am also hearing a new song sung round the sweat lodges and in the cattle pens, a song about the Kheldon Queen and all that is happening in the south. It seems I have heard it, or at least a song like it, sometime in the past, before my father died. But the singers do not admit this, nor will they speak of Queen Starbrow's first rebellion, or what happened afterwards.

Redwheel the trader has also heard this new song. I spoke to him this evening as he packed up his wares. He had made a thane's ransom selling henna and whetting stones, but wanted to return early to Ironspike, not even going on to Slough Hall as he originally planned. For some reason he would not even stay for the clan weapontake called for tonight, even though I know he loves the cuk fighting that usually occurs afterwards. Redwheel said that the song is ironic, especially the lines, "the battle thanes have given their word", and "swear the clans will ne'er forsake". He is always using strange words, and I am not sure what he means. Perhaps he means it has magic in it, like the other songs the warriors sing. Redwheel said he had first heard the song sung locally by a Vingan, the woman called Cradledaughter. The words were different then, and she sang it as a cult song. He said that some of the people in the song were allies of Starbrow, and that different tribes had different verses, or changed the words. He did not seem pleased that there was a new verse about Harvar Ironfist. I wanted to ask him more, but he left in a great hurry. Here is the song.

Sartar's sons, lift up your face,
Stop brooding o'er the old disgrace
When the Redcloaks stormed your place
And drove you to the highlands.

Sartar's daughters, loose your breasts,
'Tis not the time to weep nor rest,
The Kheldon Queen sets us the test:
Take up your shields and weapons!

Sons of Air! Loose your hair!
Heroes do what heroes dare;
Fiends and traitors, have a care
Darkened is your Moon now!

The wind is free, the storm will break;
The thanes all at the weapontake
Swear the clans will ne'er forsake
Queen Starbrow as her boon now.

Thunder crack! Storm will roar!
Soon the kingdom we'll secure:
Crush on hill and plain and moor
Chaos' cursed army.

Swing the swords of Sartar red!
Wreak vengeance for our noble dead,
As on we march from town and stead
To join King Broyan's army.

Hear the winds of freedom call
We gather true from farm and hall
The Red Moon from the sky will fall
The White Bull swiftly follows.

Up with spear and out with sword!
On we'll go: by Orlanth lord,
The battle thanes have gi'en their word:
Raise the tribes for Starbrow!

Now from Boldhome to Duck Moor
Flows a stream of Lunar gore
Great is Vinga's Daughter pure
Defeating Lunar powers!

The traitors and the taxers dead:
Now for Fist-of-Iron's head!
We shall raise it dripping red
Above the walls and towers.

Rooster of a fighting stock
Would you let some Lunar cock
Perch upon a Sartar rock?
Fly up and cast him down now!

Up with spear and out with sword!
On we'll go: by Orlanth Lord
The battle thanes have given their word:
Raise the tribes for Starbrow!

Tune: Follow Me Up To Carlow
Words: John Hughes