The Grey Cloak

Got a song, a tale, some news of far off places or Orcs gathering? Step up and loose your word hoard.

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Mirimaran
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The Grey Cloak

Post by Mirimaran »

It was new once, by his mother's hand was made
now torn and patched, its hem thin and frayed
painted with mud and stained with blood
the grey cloak hung on him like a shadow.

Few wore the cloak now, for the days dwindled
when Rangers wandered, and kept hope kindled
they walked alone without a home
to protect the land that was theirs.

In his days of Spring, learned he the Ranger's Ways
strong and proud his teachers, in those long past days
he learned the art of war until he could know no more
and into the Wilderness he went.

His father's sword by his side, the weight familiar on his hip
his quiver once was full, now only two arrows would fairly rip
from his bow dark-stained by sweat and rain
to fell the orcs that tracked him.

Athelas he chewed, and in the wound he packed it tight
blood seeped from his side, as he ran into the night
his thoughts turned to the lessons he learned
from those masters who long ago lay dead.

False trails he left, and traps he set
his foes he harried, and their blood he let
for he knew that his days were few
and soon no Ranger would be left.

His breath was ragged, staggered were his steps
his grey cloak around him, as life from him crept
his life to end in a wooded glen
by the banks of the Brandywine.

A daughter's tears, a wife's lament
no son to avenge him, an oath sworn and meant
as a tattered grey cloak now but a shroud
a mother begins to make another...

Mirimaran
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
kaelln

Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by kaelln »

Great job, but so sad!
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Ernildir
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Ernildir »

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
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Mirimaran
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Mirimaran »

It has been said that all tales of Middle-earth are mingled with sadness, friend Kaelin. The history of the Dunedain is mingled with grief, and hope.

Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
Elegost
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Elegost »

I read/sung that beautful and Sad piece while listening to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F93F8QmP ... re=related

Mirimaran, That really was beautful! I really liked it. I wish there was someone whom could sing/chant these to music and put them on You-tube!
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Mirimaran
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Mirimaran »

I'd love that myself, Elegost, as I suck at it lol I think some of my stuff sounds really good out loud, we streamed Born of Hope to the TV the other night so it was the first time we got to see it in HD and widescreen, and hearing the few lines of my poem read out loud was very cool :)

Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
RangerKellen
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by RangerKellen »

Very nice poem! I loved it!
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."
-J.R.R. Tolkien
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Ringulf
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Ringulf »

Deeply touching Friend Skald!
Your works are always stirring, almost haunting, but there is always the tiny glimer of hope, like a quick ray of sunlight that escapes a storm leaden sky.

As always I impatiently wait for your next offering. :D
I am Ringulf the Dwarven Woodsman, I craft leather, wood, metal, and clay,
I throw axes, seaxes, and pointy sticks, And I fire my bow through the day.
Come be my ally, lift up your mead! We'll search out our foes and the Eagles we'll feed! :mrgreen:
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Mirimaran
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Mirimaran »

Thank you for the kind words! I have a couple brewing, just have to let them simmer a while longer lol but your patience and patronage is appreciated!

Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
Southwind
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Southwind »

Here's a recording of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgZfCEiyeuU

Disclaimers:
Some of the lyrics got kind of "folk-processed", mostly to fit better with the tune.
I am primarily a flutist, not a singer.
This was recorded using my laptop mic.
- Southwind (Gwaiharad)
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Mirimaran
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Mirimaran »

That was lovely! :) I enjoyed it immensely, and only wish we all could have been sitting around the fire to hear that. You honor me, thank you :)

Ken
"Well, what are you waiting for? I am an old man, and have no time for your falter! Come at me, if you will, for I do not sing songs of dastards!"
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Greg
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Greg »

In a wooded glen by the banks of the brandywine.

As good as any place to lay to rest, if I may say so myself, and better than most!
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
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Ringulf
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Ringulf »

Greg wrote:In a wooded glen by the banks of the brandywine.

As good as any place to lay to rest, if I may say so myself, and better than most!
You know, for anyone who has played Lotro, there is just such a spot!
It is on the west bank of the Brandywine in the Bridgefields where two ancient peices of Arnorian rubble form a little cave beneath a stand of old oaks. If one sits atop it and looks southward, the Brandywine Bridge and the town of Stock as well as Buckhall on the East bank is layed out before you. If you ease down to the opening, one can build a little fire and use the triangular cover as a comfortable little shelter. The view at sunset is lovely. I think of it as the perfect Ranger camp when watching the approaches to the Shire from the east, guarding the shire. I call it Ringulf's Knoll. Go look for it if you ever get a chance! :wink:
I am Ringulf the Dwarven Woodsman, I craft leather, wood, metal, and clay,
I throw axes, seaxes, and pointy sticks, And I fire my bow through the day.
Come be my ally, lift up your mead! We'll search out our foes and the Eagles we'll feed! :mrgreen:
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Chris Russo
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Re: The Grey Cloak

Post by Chris Russo »

Southwind wrote:Here's a recording of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgZfCEiyeuU

Disclaimers:
Some of the lyrics got kind of "folk-processed", mostly to fit better with the tune.
I am primarily a flutist, not a singer.
This was recorded using my laptop mic.
Phenomenal!
"If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him."
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