Be a Real Bard? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Be a Real Bard? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dave_the_DM
02-07-07, 10:54 AM This game session coming up this Sat should be different. I am playing a Bard, and I am really going to do some traditional Celtic Irish pub songs!

The idea got into my head because I've been doing karaoke for over a year, and am told I have a pretty good singing voice. I strum and play the guitar a little....sooooooo.

Anywho... anyone out there ever do this? How did it go? Any tips?

Thanks,

Dave
bonethug0108
02-07-07, 10:59 AM If everyone likes the idea, I say go with it. It sounds like fun.
Temmogen
02-07-07, 12:43 PM One of players had a bard, and wrote songs based on events we had encountered. Such as "Giants dont sneak" and "The Dwarf with no axe", he used existing songs and just wrote new lyrics, but he did keep our morale up, and got extra experience for actually coming up with real songs.:D
Bruunwald
02-07-07, 03:21 PM Everybody always tried to get me to play a bard, since I was in a band. I always declined, except when DMing, where I would strum something on the guitar during tavern scenes. I also recorded some background pub music a couple years back that went over well.

In this current campaign, the fellow playing the bard was not musically inclined. When he left, we were left with his character as an NPC for a time. As DM, I was able to take him over and be more musical with him (mostly in the form of singing The Scottsman over and over. ;) ).

I can say that my initial hesitance in the old days was due to the fact that the players most encouraging me to show off as a bard were also inclined to jealousy (of course it had to be the problem players, goading me on), and I was trying not to fall into that trap. So I would first caution not to showboat too much, lest some think you believe this is the Bard Show. (As DM it is easier, because people see these things as you giving them more and better atmosphere; thus the showing off just seems like good DMing.)

Also, I can vouch that an instrument at the game can be quite distracting. People may want to pick it up, or ask you to do requests, or to dare you to do something impressive. And if you're like me, the lure of the thing sitting there is strong...

Anyway, all that said, it is still a good and fun idea. As with all good ideas, the more moderation exercised, the better the execution.
Jezmund
02-07-07, 03:42 PM I brought my guitar to a few sessions before...upon entering the first dungeon of the campaign I played the Mario Bros. "underground" music. Probably not the best choice, as it really broke the tension. Aside from that, everybody seemed to enjoy it.
dave_the_DM
02-08-07, 07:46 PM Here are the lyrics to one of the songs I am doing. Too funny. This is a simple Am, Em, G progression.

A Fairy Story

In days of old in a kingdom bold, there lived a fearsome dragon.
And the King he was in great distress and the countries spirits flagoned.
Until one day there came a knight, he was handsome, bold, and charming.
And he slew the dragon with his sword with a smile that was so disarming.
With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, a smile that was so disarming.

Said the King I wish to know your name, but the knight said do not bother.
For the name of a knight of the realm says he, is the same as any other.
Said the King tonight in my daughter's bed you shall take your leisure.
And she'll reward you for your deed, with a night of exhausting pleasure.
With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, anight of exhausting pleasure.

One daughter she had raven hair, a maiden young and chaste.
And she slept all night in the pale moonlight, naked to the waist.
The other daughter she was fair, the fairest in the town.
And she slept all night in the pale moonlight naked from her small waist down.
With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, naked from her small waist down.

Slow here, and speed up on the punch line.
Well the knight he spends many hour behind the castle wall.
But the ending to my story dear, isn't what it seems at all.
For in neither bed of neither maid was he repaid for his glory.
But he slept all night with the King instead for this is a fairy story.
With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, for this is a Fairy story.

This is a real Irish drinking song.... too funny I like the little stab at the English in the end. Classic.

Seven Drunken Nights Play with a lively C F G Chord Progression.

As I went home on Monday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw a horse outside me door where my horse ought to be
Well, I called me wife and I says to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that horse outside the door where my horse ought be?

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
why That's a lovely sow that me mother sent to me
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But a saddle on a sow sure I never saw before

And as I went home on Tuesday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw a coat behind the door where my old coat should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that coat behind the door where my old coat should be

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
That's a lovely blanket that me mother sent to me
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But buttons in a blanket sure I never saw before

And as I went home on Wednesday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw a pipe up on the chair where my old pipe should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that pipe up on the chair where my old pipe should be

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
That's a lovely tin whistle that me mother sent to me
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But tobacco in a tin whistle sure I never saw before

And as I went home on Thursday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw two boots beneath the bed where my old boots should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns them boots beneath the bed where my old boots should be

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
They're two lovely Geranium pots me mother sent to me
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But laces in Geranium pots I ain’t never seen before

And as I went home on Friday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw a head upon the bed where my old head should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that head upon the bed where my old head should be

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
That's a baby boy that me mother sent to me
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But whiskers on a baby I’m sure I ain’t never seen before

And as I went home on Saturday night as drunk as drunk could be
I saw two hands upon her breasts where my old hands should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns them hands upon your breasts where my old hands should be

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
That's a lovely night gown that me mother sent to me
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But fingers in a night gown sure I never saw before

As I went home on Sunday night as drunk as drunk could be
I lad sneaking out the back, a quarter after three.
Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me
Who was that lad sneaking out the back a quarter after three?

Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool,
So drunk you can not see
That was just the tax man that the Queen she sent to me.
Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more
But an Englishman who can last till three I've never seen before
Sakaki22
02-08-07, 09:09 PM I apologize for threadjacking, but I'm a beginner guitarist myself and had a semi-related question.

I'd like to have a Bard NPC for campaigns that sungs the tales of the PCs, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a place where I could get tablature for a simple, tavern-y piece. Just needs to be a piece that I can repeat and rhyme to, nothing elaborate.

To return the thread to normal, if a Bard in my campaign played actual music, I'd probably give him roleplay XP the first time, and just love it every other time. It'd be a huge mood setter IMO.
dave_the_DM
02-08-07, 10:08 PM try this web site. Its a real treasure with downloadable performances, lyrics with chords. Have fun:D

http://www.thebards.net/music/

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dave_the_DM 02-07-07, 10:54 AM	This game session coming up this Sat should be different. I am playing a Bard, and I am really going to do some traditional Celtic Irish pub songs! The idea got into my head because I've been doing karaoke for over a year, and am told I have a pretty good singing voice. I strum and play the guitar a little....sooooooo. Anywho... anyone out there ever do this? How did it go? Any tips? Thanks, Dave
bonethug0108 02-07-07, 10:59 AM	If everyone likes the idea, I say go with it. It sounds like fun.
Temmogen 02-07-07, 12:43 PM	One of players had a bard, and wrote songs based on events we had encountered. Such as "Giants dont sneak" and "The Dwarf with no axe", he used existing songs and just wrote new lyrics, but he did keep our morale up, and got extra experience for actually coming up with real songs.:D
Bruunwald 02-07-07, 03:21 PM	Everybody always tried to get me to play a bard, since I was in a band. I always declined, except when DMing, where I would strum something on the guitar during tavern scenes. I also recorded some background pub music a couple years back that went over well. In this current campaign, the fellow playing the bard was not musically inclined. When he left, we were left with his character as an NPC for a time. As DM, I was able to take him over and be more musical with him (mostly in the form of singing The Scottsman over and over. ;) ). I can say that my initial hesitance in the old days was due to the fact that the players most encouraging me to show off as a bard were also inclined to jealousy (of course it had to be the problem players, goading me on), and I was trying not to fall into that trap. So I would first caution not to showboat too much, lest some think you believe this is the Bard Show. (As DM it is easier, because people see these things as you giving them more and better atmosphere; thus the showing off just seems like good DMing.) Also, I can vouch that an instrument at the game can be quite distracting. People may want to pick it up, or ask you to do requests, or to dare you to do something impressive. And if you're like me, the lure of the thing sitting there is strong... Anyway, all that said, it is still a good and fun idea. As with all good ideas, the more moderation exercised, the better the execution.
Jezmund 02-07-07, 03:42 PM	I brought my guitar to a few sessions before...upon entering the first dungeon of the campaign I played the Mario Bros. "underground" music. Probably not the best choice, as it really broke the tension. Aside from that, everybody seemed to enjoy it.
dave_the_DM 02-08-07, 07:46 PM	Here are the lyrics to one of the songs I am doing. Too funny. This is a simple Am, Em, G progression. A Fairy Story In days of old in a kingdom bold, there lived a fearsome dragon. And the King he was in great distress and the countries spirits flagoned. Until one day there came a knight, he was handsome, bold, and charming. And he slew the dragon with his sword with a smile that was so disarming. With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, a smile that was so disarming. Said the King I wish to know your name, but the knight said do not bother. For the name of a knight of the realm says he, is the same as any other. Said the King tonight in my daughter's bed you shall take your leisure. And she'll reward you for your deed, with a night of exhausting pleasure. With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, anight of exhausting pleasure. One daughter she had raven hair, a maiden young and chaste. And she slept all night in the pale moonlight, naked to the waist. The other daughter she was fair, the fairest in the town. And she slept all night in the pale moonlight naked from her small waist down. With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, naked from her small waist down. Slow here, and speed up on the punch line. Well the knight he spends many hour behind the castle wall. But the ending to my story dear, isn't what it seems at all. For in neither bed of neither maid was he repaid for his glory. But he slept all night with the King instead for this is a fairy story. With a hey and a ho and a hey nany no, for this is a Fairy story. This is a real Irish drinking song.... too funny I like the little stab at the English in the end. Classic. Seven Drunken Nights Play with a lively C F G Chord Progression. As I went home on Monday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw a horse outside me door where my horse ought to be Well, I called me wife and I says to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns that horse outside the door where my horse ought be? Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see why That's a lovely sow that me mother sent to me Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But a saddle on a sow sure I never saw before And as I went home on Tuesday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw a coat behind the door where my old coat should be Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns that coat behind the door where my old coat should be Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see That's a lovely blanket that me mother sent to me Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But buttons in a blanket sure I never saw before And as I went home on Wednesday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw a pipe up on the chair where my old pipe should be Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns that pipe up on the chair where my old pipe should be Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see That's a lovely tin whistle that me mother sent to me Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But tobacco in a tin whistle sure I never saw before And as I went home on Thursday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw two boots beneath the bed where my old boots should be Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns them boots beneath the bed where my old boots should be Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see They're two lovely Geranium pots me mother sent to me Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But laces in Geranium pots I ain’t never seen before And as I went home on Friday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw a head upon the bed where my old head should be Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns that head upon the bed where my old head should be Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see That's a baby boy that me mother sent to me Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But whiskers on a baby I’m sure I ain’t never seen before And as I went home on Saturday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw two hands upon her breasts where my old hands should be Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns them hands upon your breasts where my old hands should be Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see That's a lovely night gown that me mother sent to me Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But fingers in a night gown sure I never saw before As I went home on Sunday night as drunk as drunk could be I lad sneaking out the back, a quarter after three. Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who was that lad sneaking out the back a quarter after three? Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see That was just the tax man that the Queen she sent to me. Well, I've traveled the world all over, a hundred miles or more But an Englishman who can last till three I've never seen before
Sakaki22 02-08-07, 09:09 PM	I apologize for threadjacking, but I'm a beginner guitarist myself and had a semi-related question. I'd like to have a Bard NPC for campaigns that sungs the tales of the PCs, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a place where I could get tablature for a simple, tavern-y piece. Just needs to be a piece that I can repeat and rhyme to, nothing elaborate. To return the thread to normal, if a Bard in my campaign played actual music, I'd probably give him roleplay XP the first time, and just love it every other time. It'd be a huge mood setter IMO.
dave_the_DM 02-08-07, 10:08 PM	try this web site. Its a real treasure with downloadable performances, lyrics with chords. Have fun:D http://www.thebards.net/music/