Lespe Lurelei
Lyrics
As time will pass
the world won't last,
but our feasting will go on.
And far into this merry night,
we'll drink and sing this song.
There once was a merchant from Veruve,
who never was kind with a coin.
But as it came to pass
that he breathed out his last,
He had never been warmed in the loin.
Oh, Lespe-lespe-lurelei
He had never been warmed in the loin.
As time will pass
the world won't last,
but our feasting will go on.
And far into this merry night,
we'll drink and sing this song.
There once was Fool in a King's court,
who jested and tumbled since birth.
But when the king hit the floor,
and the nobles found war,
he was only one left with some mirth.
Oh, Lespe-lespe-lurelei
He was only one left with some mirth.
As time will pass
the world won't last,
but our feasting will go on.
And far into this merry night,
we'll drink and sing this song.
There once were three boys in a village,
who slept through their work on the field.
But as summer turned cold,
and the leaves all went gold.
There was nothing their acres would yield.
Oh, Lespe-lespe-lurelei
There was nothing their acres would yield.
As time will pass
the world won't last,
but our feasting will go on.
And far into this merry night,
we'll drink and sing this song.
There once was a nobleman's daughter,
who's passion was strong as could be.
But as her face lost its glow,
and her backside did bow,
there sat thirty-three kids on her knee.
Oh, Lespe-lespe-lurelei
there sat thirty-three kids on her knee.
As time will pass
the world won't last,
but our feasting will go on.
And far into this merry night,
we'll drink and sing this song.
There once was lord in his castle,
who dealt out the law with his sword.
But when justice was done,
and he had had his fun,
There was no-one left to heed his word.
Oh, Lespe-lespe-lurelei
There was no-one left to heed his word.
As time will pass
the world won't last,
but our feasting will go on.
And far into this merry night,
we'll drink and sing this song.
History
In almost any Tavern in the crownholds or the waterwoods you will find a sliver of the history of the song of Lespe Lurelei and one of its many verses.
Though the number of verses is near infinite and still growing through the jovial efforts of anyone with some time to spare and a glass of ale, each tavern often has their own collection of verses, gathered throughout the years by many a barkeep with an attentive ear. The tradition even goes so far, especially in Lualyn and Haddrish, that a seasoned traveler with a good memory might be able to identify the origins of a patron merely by the verses they bring with them.
The original writer of the chorus and format is unknown to this day, though many suspect it was originally meant as a translation of a poem originally from Drasvir, with little intention of it ever becoming the renowned drinking song it is today.
While a large number of those who call themselves musicians detest the song and deem it unworthy for its status as the drunkards anthem, there are those who claim the song, or at least the chorus, is one of the oldest surviving texts written in Modern Keppeci.
Historians have even managed to trace back events described in certain verses to at least two centuries ago, making the song not only interesting as a study of human perception and general opinion, but also as a wealth of information on historical events.
It is said that the infamous confusion about the identity of the true heir to the Veruvian throne was solved due to a verse of Lespe Lurelei that described an unblessed union of King Merken Tell II and a Lualyn ambassador. The scandal would have stayed a secret were it not for the servants of the ambassador who used it in a Lespe Lurelei verse.
Execution
Though not every tavern is as strict with tradition as some, and most have added their own quirks to it, there are certain unspoken rules to the singing of Lespe Lurelei.
When in a tavern the song is sung it is first of all never without a drink in hand, though that may be less of a rule and more of an inevitability. If there is room the patrons will attempt to sit in a circle (some more expensive taverns even have a specials Song Circle) as with most other songs, and if there is not the room or standing up is no longer a valid option for some customers a ranking system will be made up.
The song starts with the whole circle bellowing the main chorus, followed by the first person in the circle--or ranking--singing a verse that follows the traditional pattern.
The song at this point is not supposed to be interrupted, and if someone stumbles over his verse or can't come up with one they will be kicked out of the circle. In some places it is even made into a sport to see who can remain into the circle the longest without having to sing the same verse twice--for someone who repeats another's verse in the same song will meet a similar banishment from the circle as those with no verse at all.
Components and tools
Originally the song is not played with any instruments, though a number of people have tried to put it to the tune of a lute, flute or even Stormlass, but most often only meeting mixed to outright threatening reactions.
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