"This is a fairly common song in Valdemar, although it originated several lands to the south."[1][2]
Albums[]
Kerowyn's Ride appeared on Mercedes Lackey's first and third filk[3] albums, which were not focused on Valdemar:
- Murder, Mystery, & Mayhem (1985) - sung by Leslie Fish, Julia Ecklar and Catherine Cook
- Magic, Moondust & Melancholy (1989) - sung by Leslie Fish and Heather Alexander
Audio[]
- Soundcloud - 1989 version
- YouTube - the same 1989 version
- YouTube - 1985 version
Chords and tabs[]
Lyrics[]
Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where are you going?
Dressed in men's clothing, a sword by your side
Your face pale as death, and your eyes full of fury
Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where do you ride?
Last night in the darkness black raiders attacked us
Our Hold lays in ruins below
They've stolen our treasure and the bride of my brother
And to her aid now I must go,
To her side now I must go
Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where is your father?
And where is your brother? This task should be theirs
It is not seemly for maids to be warriors
Go back to your valley, and to woman's cares
My father lies dead at the hands of their leader
My brother lies raving in pain
The raiders left no man unwounded to free her
But in their hands she'll not remain,
I vow she'll not with them remain
Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where are your senses?
What can you hope to accomplish alone
You have no knowledge of war or of weapons
Why lose your life, for a girl you scarce know?
This is far more than a matter of honor
And more than a matter of pride
She's but a child, all alone and unaided
And someone at least should've tried,
So now to her rescue I ride
[Music]
Grandmother, grandmother, I need a weapon
I'm one against many, and I am afraid
The raiders have bought them a dark wizard's power
I cannot help Dierna without magic aid
Kerowyn, grand-daughter, into your keeping
I'll give you the sword I once wore
Need is her name, now ride fearless to battle
She'll aid as she did me before,
Her magic is strong as before
Grandmother, grandmother, why turn so willing
Why did you try to persuade me to stay
Whence came this weapon of steel and of magic
And why do you choose now to give it away
Kerowyn, not for the weak or the fearful
Is the path of a warrior maid
You've passed all my tests, now ride out with my blessings
And trust in the spell of the blade,
Ride now and go unafraid
See also[]
- Music of Valdemar
- By the Sword album (1991). It does not include this song, but contains other songs about Kerowyn's experiences, all written and performed by Meg Davis.
Note[]
- ↑ The quote is from the Arrow's Fall Appendix: Songs of Valdemar. The lyrics are slightly different there. Lackey probably modified the words during her participation in the albums, also adding another verse.
- ↑ In Winds of Fate, Chapter 7, Elspeth discovered that this song about Herald-Captain Kerowyn's youth was often misrepresented in Valdemar's records as a legend from long ago. Some even considered it an allegory. It was occasionally described correctly, but at the next performance it would always be identified inaccurately again.
In Winds of Fury, Chapter 5, the spirits of Vanyel and Stefen revealed that Valdemar's forgetfulness was caused by a spell preventing thoughts of magic. - ↑ "Filk" is the word for Fantasy and Science Fiction folk songs.