Familiar Memories of a Caravan
An excerpt.
They carried themselves with a jovial dignity, welcoming me as 'Kana'iin Erdi', which translates roughly to 'hairless-foreign Erdi'. For the first time in months I had a decent meal and I told them stories about Ysgramor. Only then did they become quiet. It was new to them, and new stories are the most interesting, as their leader explained. Never was there a cold night inside the tents, even in the unforgiving deserts of the Alikr. In the heat, I distracted myself with the scent of spices and skooma. It was incredibly dangerous, but I was... also distracted by the affections of a hotheaded thief...
...
The Merchant's Hymn
Redguard Origin
In the valleys of despair,
I put my ear to the ground
to hear the whispers of
the forgotten
Floating in the air,
it seemed that I've found
what treasures misery
has begotten.
But such gold is fragile,
it's brittle in my hands.
Floating like no gold should do,
I buried it, weighted by the sands.
Don't tell me to dig it up, my dear,
just let me leave it be.
We can find our fortune
outside of misery.
End Notes: This song is occasionally sung in Hammerfell's temples to Zenithar, but it's also sung in other contexts. Traveling merchants have been known to sing this on their journey and it's all around decently well-known in the actual Stros M'kai. It has a 'simple folk' image attached, due to the 'uneven' stresses on certain phrases. Hearing it, I'm mostly reminded of Stros M'kai, and not the Alikr, which it is most associated with. The exact age of the song, like many, is unknown.
Suggestions: Use a deep, chest-based tone and see if you can work it lower from there. You must be able to make a strong sound for it to be your true lower-most limit on singing, so don't strain yourself. That's the traditional way, but experimental singers can try higher tones, especially if it's not possible for you to have a convincing base-line sound. Accompany with a drum, if possible. Has a variety of contexts for both male and female singers.
...
Frolic Under the Stars
Bosmeri Origin
The tavern's pretty full tonight,
can't you see the candlelight?
By that light we're dancing
and we won't stop soon,
cause in the sky, in the sky,
is a candle called the moon!
Nectar is our wine and mead,
the canopy's the roof
tell our leading man to lead...
the singing from the stand!
Stand tall, stand tall, bright among the trees,
can we see what the hawk sees?
Nope, that's a futile plan!
So we drink to-night, regret to-day,
but gods what memories and debts to pay.
And if we die, we'll let them say...
What better folks to battle,
we should've let 'em live!
End Notes: This song has it's origins in the Thalmor invasions of Vallenwood. It has a grim bit of gallows humor at the end, and was mainly sung to cope with the ravages of war. Much like those that resided in Vallenwood at the time, it attempts to keep an upbeat attitude in the face of mortal struggles. One of my personal favorite songs and of significance to many who survived. Has become a bit of a protest song for those under Thalmor occupation.
Suggestions: It's a fast paced song with many phrases and sections repeated based on the reception of the crowd. In my experience, you'll get a wild and defiant response from groups of Bosmer who are familiar with the context. Those that aren't still enjoy it for it's upbeat, insane repetition. Will make groups of Thalmor incredibly uncomfortable - it's fun to watch them squirm, if you're so inclined. Just be careful. A song ripe for introduction in Skyrim and Elsweyr.
...
Unknown (Promise)
Snow Elves Origin
Gather here, gather here, there is a story to tell,
though we labor on and on, things were different,
before the Snow Prince fell.
Like a shooting star, he was, I swear, he was,
they say we lie, they say we're false,
but we know the truth like Auri-el does.
And he looks on through us all,
in the gleam of an elder's eye, he shines, he does, he shines,
And in your smile, the lines trace the truth!
We had temples of white,
that shined bright like the stars,
like the Snow Prince before he fell.
One day we'll be led away, from darkness, to light, from darkness,
when our servitude ends, we'll find the old friends
that guided him and guide us.
Auri-El is on our side, my child,
yes he is, I promise, he is.
End Notes: This is apparently a children's song or lullaby, translated by a great scholar named Calcemo. I had the privilege of working with him in my established old age, and he was an expert on both Dwemer and Falmer cultures. I was there to copy his translations, mainly. This was most likely sung after the enslavement of the Falmer, but before they became the Betrayed. In historical context, it's the most uncomfortably depressing thing I've ever read.
Suggestions: There's no way of knowing what the original song was supposed to sound like, but it was written in both the Falmer and Dwemer languages. This was a report done by a Dwemer officer about the behavior of the 'servants', with a note of concern about the possible rebelliousness in the song. His concerns were proven right, of course, but everyone lost something in that conflict, eventually. The Dwemer their existence, the Falmer their sight and sanity.
...
Sky
Cyrodillic, or Imperial Origin
In the sky! In the sky!
It rains down, it rains down!
Water like life, fire like death,
lets sing before they take our last breath...
In the sky, we watch, we watch,
and see if it pleases us.
Little things like death don't bother us,
but life is a great thing.
Rain down, rain down, life
and give us plenty!
My cup is full and I long to drink,
and give my lovely loved one a wink
so let's wait for the sky
for rain, for fire,
we don't mind any way.
End Notes: This song is old. Ancient. And still well known out in the countryside, even among the many non-Imperials residing in Cyrodill. As metropolitan and sophisticated as the Imperial image is, this simple song (as recent as ten years ago, at least) is sung in the warm taverns dotting the roads from all the major cities. It might even have some influences from Ayleid song, but this is speculation and has little evidence to prove it. My personal theory is that it was adapted from a khajiit tune.
Suggestions: A pleasant universal song with any people that drinks mead/wine/sujamma, and great for fading back into the background so everyone can talk and eat. Accompany it with the lute - this song can have a variable tempo, so either your voice or the instrument can take over. Easily one of the most useful songs I picked up on in my travels, and it's a shame that I only learned it ten years ago.
...
A Sailor's Lament
Argonian
The sea is harsh for me,
I crashed into the sand.
My love won't let me be,
I can't meet these demands.
For when I'm far away I can't bear to see her gone,
and when I'm by her side I leave her at the break of dawn.
Oh, sea, oh wondrous, deep blue,
I stared into the waters,
it's how I met you.
But what if I fall and I'm swallowed
by the changing tides?
Where do I go then?
Will I be with you forever?
And stare into your eyes...
She stares right back and calls me in,
I'm drowning and can't get away,
Or did I just survive?
I cannot know. Not anymore.
Not when I'm stuck between the shore
and the sea.
End Notes: This... somewhat confusing song originates from Argonian sailors and is now primarily sung by dockworkers of many cultures in Skyrim. It was recorded in the past, but not in the common tongue. Luckily, I corrected that oversight myself (I am slightly proud of that).
Suggestions: This song is strangely sad in content, but upbeat in tone. Elsweyr khajiit like it for that, in my experience. This will pretty much be accepted by the crowd anywhere, but might be a bit strange in areas with no water.