A/N: This is a Quarian rendition of the sea shanty "Old Maui" and although there are many acapella versions. The one done by: The Dreadnoughts, is the one I have in my mind at the moment. If you're interested in hearing what it sounds like, go check them out on You tube.
Some helpful background:
- Sung by celebrating Quarians returning from pilgrimage (obviously)
- The ship they are singing about is called the Shani, (pronounced Shh-Ahh-knee). It is a dreadnought class, Krogan troop transport that the Vol protectorate "gifted" to the Quarian people after their expulsion from Rannoch in 1893 C.E. (council era). The word "gifted" is used liberally as the transport was a derelict left over from the Krogan rebellions, (700 C.E.), and was ticketed for scrap. It took a substantial amount of resources by the migrant fleet to restore her back to working order.
- The Shani is roughly 1500 years old, and is one of the migrant fleets largest Rest & Relaxation vessel. It has five hundred standard clean rooms, one hundred luxury suits, possess every comfort one would find at a high end resort, and possesses an open air garden containing hundreds of species of flora native to Rannoch. Its diverse biological ecology is seconded only by the live ships.
- Her captain is a man by the name of Jas'Jamin vas Shani.
- The ship has a small (by Quarian standards) static population of 946 souls. But caters to roughly three times that number on any given day, and operates around-the-clock to service the needs of weary Quarians looking for a place to lay down their burdens.
- Besides the standard crew, the Shani is famous for her wide variety of "pleasure companions", singers, dancers, musicians, actors, artists, poets, and performers. In recent years the ship has become one of the cultural icons of the Migrant Fleet, and hosts extravagant ballroom galas for special holidays.
- Some of the notable destinations not to be missed are the Shani's three tropical biomes, complete with palm trees, white sandy beaches, crystal clear lagoon, and artificial sun.
(If you want an idea of what the ship looks like, do a google search for "BSG botanical cruiser" and "BSG Cloud nine".)
Song start
'Tis a damn tough life full of toil and strife
We pilgrims undergo
And we don't give a damn when the day is done
How hard the solar winds did blow
Cause we're fleet-ward bound from Council space
With a good ship taut and free
And we don't give a damn when we drink our rum
With the girls of Old Shani
Rolling down to Old Shani, me boys
Rolling down to Old Shani
We're Fleet-ward bound from the Council's realm
Rolling down to Old Shani
Once more we sail with a mass-effect gale
Towards our migrant home
Our drive core charged, Our salvaging done and we a'int got far to roam
Six hellish months we passed away
On the cold galactic sea
But now we're bound from the Council realm
Rolling down to Old Shani
Rolling down to Old Shani, me boys
Rolling down to Old Shani
We're Fleet-ward bound from the Council realm
Rolling down to Old Shani
Once more we sail with a mass-effect gale
Through the cold vacuum of space
Them big silver hulls, Them flotilla ships we soon shall see again
Our stans'l booms is carried away ward
What care we for that sound
A mechanized creation is after us
Thank the ancestors we're Fleet-ward bound
Rolling down to Old Shani, me boys
Rolling down to Old Shani
We're Fleet-ward bound from the Council realm
Rolling down to Old Shani
How soft the engines hum through our ships hull
Now the relay is far astern
Them fertile maids, The last of our kind
Is awaiting our return
Even now their big, glowing eyes look out
Hoping some fine day to see
Our proud new ship blue shifting 'fore the flotilla
Rolling down to Old Shani
Rolling down to Old Shani, me boys
Rolling down to Old Shani
We're Fleet-ward bound from the Council realm
Rolling down to Old Shani
Rolling down to Old Shani, me boys
Rolling down to Old Shani
We're Fleet-ward bound from the Council realm
Rolling down to Old Shani
Song end
A/n: Sorry if it got a little jarring in some parts. I tried my best to keep things space focused but I just couldn't think of replacement phrases for some of the passages. If you would like see more sea shanty's converted into the mass effect universe, leave a comment down below.
Hope you all enjoyed.