Opening Poem
The young must grow old,
Whilst old ones grow older,
And cowards will shrink,
As the bold grow bolder.
Courage may blossom in quiet hearts,
For who can tell where bravery starts?
Truth is a song, oft lying unsung,
Some moter bird, protecting her young,
Those who lay down their lives for friends,
The echo rolls onward, it seldom ends.
Who never turned and ran, but stayed?
This is a warrior born, not made!
Living in peace, aye many a season,
Calm in life and sound in reason,
‘Til evil arrives, a wicked horde,
Driving a warrior to pick up his sword,
The challenger rings then, straight and fair,
Justice is with us, beware. Beware!
++++++++++
Sung by Trimp (p. 5)
You lark on high,
O minstrel of the sky,
Sing out! Sing out!
Now sing you joyously,
To Mother Nature and her earth,
This is the golden summer’s birth,
A wonderous sight to see!
Hail, fine tall trees,
Your leaves dance on the breeze,
Rejoice! Rejoice!
And sway so gracefully,
You’ll feel your blossom soon giveway,
To ripened fruit some sunny day,
Oh please save some for me!
Sing out! Rejoice!
Let all who have a voice,
Call out so sweet and happily,
O’er woodland vale and grassy lea,
Good day my friend to thee!
++++++++++
Grace (p. 11)
May good fortune never cease,
Where we build and till the soil,
Mother Nature grant us peace,
And reward us for our toil.
Summer’s come, now life is sweet,
Food is here for one and all,
In good friendship let us eat,
As one family at Redwall.
++++++++++
Sung by Trimp (p. 12)
Away O! Away O!
Haul hard an’ take her out,
I’ll tell ye of the Greenhawk,
An’ her cap’n ole Chopsnout.
Away O! Away O! Now bend yore backs an’ heave ho!
Ole Reynard Chopsnout was a fox,
A bad corsair to boot,
Who ran his vessel on some rocks,
While searchin’ round for loot.
Away O! Away O! Now bend yore backs an’ heave ho!
So to the northlands he did steer,
The Greenhawk to repair,
A warrior who knew no fear,
Named Luke was livin’ there.
Away O! Away O! Now bend yore backs an’ heave ho!
That corsair came with all his horde,
I’ll tell ye mates ‘tis true,
Brave Luke took up his battlesword,
An’ that bad fox he slew.
Away O! Away O! Now bend yore backs an’ heave ho!
Then Luke called up his gallant crew,
And Greenhawk did repair,
He changed her name to Sayna, too,
Which sounded good and fair.
Away O! Away O! Now bend yore backs an’ heave ho!
So Luke the Warrior sailed away,
He left the northland shore,
He swore an oath that one fine day,
He’d come back home once more.
Away O! Away O! Now bend yore backs an’ heave ho!
++++++++++
Sung by Queen Garraway (p. 40)
I’m bound to sing this song,
Though I shouldn’t really ought,
I’m Queen of all these otters yet,
They call me Queen of Nort?
Yes Queen of Nort!
My goodness who’d have thought,
One day I’d be a Majesty,
Or something of that sort,
But all the otters that I see,
Must bow and wave their tails to me,
Whilst I just nod back graciously,
I’m Queen of Nort!
Good Queen of Nort,
My northern otter tribe,
Live all along the riverbanks,
And beat their foes with tails like planks,
I rule them wisely and give thanks,
I’m Queen of Nort!
There’s nought I’d rather be,
I say to myself constntly,
Your Majesty is really me,
And don’t I look like royalty,
I’m Quee-ee-ee-eeheeeeen of Nort!
N...O...R...T, may I rule long and graciously!
++++++++++
Tails in the Stream (p. 43)
Tails in the stream, mates, tails in the stream,
No time t’sit around the bank an’ dream,
Is it a pike perch roach or a bream?
No, ‘tis an otter with his tail in the stream!
Whupperyhoo, mates whupperyhoo,
Clouds are white an’ the sky is blue,
Rap with y’tail an’ stamp that paw,
Bow to y’partner an’ around once more!
Bread’n’honey’n’cakes’n’cream,
Supper’s in the oven an’ tails in the stream!
++++++++++
Sung by Dinny (p. 52)
Ho Doodlum roodlum wurdilum day,
All on ee broight zummer mornin’!
Bold Doogul mole were gurtly brave,
As oi wurr told boi moi muther,
Furr maidens boi the score e’d save,
Loik chesknutts wun arfter anuther,
Each morn ee rode owt frum ‘is abode,
A-mounted on a milky whoit toad,
Surchin’ ee danjeruss forest road,
A-lukkin’ furr ee maidens.
Ho doodlum roodlum wurdilum day,
All on ee broight zummer mornin’!
Ee spied a gurt fat molewoif thurr,
An’ doffed ‘is ‘at to ‘er proudly,
Which froikkened ee molewoif out’n ‘er wits,
She’m started to wail roight loudly,
Ee shuvved ‘er up onna back of ‘is toad,
But two fat moles was a ‘evvy load,
An’ ee toad wurr crushed loik a beekle.
Ho doodlum roodlum wurdilum day,
All on ee broight zummer mornin’!
Then oop cumm ee gudd an’ stoutly mole,
Ee croid, ‘Woe thurr bless moi loif,
Thurr be two villyuns tryin’ to steal,
Moi dear ole fatty gurt woif!’
So pullin’ owt a knotty ash club,
Bowth toad an’ Doogul ee did drub,
Ee gave ‘em black’n’bloo lumps t’rub,
An’ ‘is woif gave ‘im cabbage furr supper.
++++++++++
Sung by Log a Log Furmo (p. 67)
Hoooooo rum tum toe, follah diddle doh,
Me boots are full of water,
An’ the bread won’t rise,
So I’m scoffin’ apple pies,
An’ swiggin’ good dark porter.
Hooooooo bless my fur, an’ you sit over there,
There’s honeycake an’ salad,
An’ you’ve got no choie,
But t’listen to me voice,
As I sing you this ballad!
Gonff’s sung reply
Hoooooooo you sit there, an’ I’ll sit here,
An’ I won’t hear yore ballad,
But I’ll scoff yore pie,
An’ look ye in the eye,
With me ears stuffed full o’ salad!
++++++++++
Archivist's note: I've misplaced my copy of Legend of Luke for right now, so I'm unable to find the page number for this. I will update with the number as soon as possible.
Log a log’s lullaby
The stream flows by and time rolls by,
Now daytime flies so close those eyes,
It’s been a long day little one, little one.
Small birds now slumber in the nest,
And fishes in their stream,
Know night has come to send us rest,
And give to all a wondrous dream,
All night hours go, so soft and low,
The lazy stream runs calm and slow,
It’s been a long day, little one, little one.
Our weary world is waitng soon,
Bright stars will pierce the sky,
As silent as the golden moorn,
That sheds her light on you and I,
And when the darkness drifts away,
Some lark up high will sing and say,
Oh welcome t a newborn day, my little one.
++++++++++
The Festive Fight (p. 98)
One dark an’ stormy night,
As the sun set in the east,
To Granma’s house I went,
For to partake of a feast,
With frogs an’ fat hedgehogs,
Some otters an’ a sparrow,
An’ a squirrel who attended, too,
Armed with a bow an’ arrow.
The seedcake had been served,
When a dormouse in a bonnet,
Took one bite, oh what a sight,
She broke her teeth upon it.
Then backward fell a mole,
Tail first into a custard,
Ole granpa grabbed his spoon,
An’ lookin’ quit disgusted,
He hit the mole with a smack,
Then like a flash of lightnin’,
An otter brained him with a flan,
That started off the fightnin’.
We fenced with celery sticks,
With pies an’ puddens pelted,
The squirrel with the bow,
By a pot of soup got belted,
A sparrow flung a scone,
It laid the otter senseless,
Then Granma swung her pan,
An’ left us all defenseless,
Two frogs sailed out the door,
A hedgehow up the chimney,
Whilst me an’ ole Granpa,
To the mantelpiece hung grimly.
So hark an’ hear my tale,
Stay safe at home an’ starve sir,
Steer clear of Granma’s house,
When there’s goin’ t’be a feast there!
++++++++++
Sung by Furmo (p. 101)
You stay aft mate, I’ll stay fore,
Mind the rocks an’ watch the shore,
Like good shipmates you an’ me,
Roll down t’meet the sea!
Fast as fast as you can wish,
Through the waters like a fish,
Our ole craft do wend its way,
On this bright summer’s day!
Wid spray in yore face,
An’ a crackin’ pace,
An’ a runnin’ stream afore,
If y’never lack a wind at y’back,
Then who could ask for more!
Ooooooh rum a doodle aye doh
Go where I go
Rum a doodle aye doh follow me!
++++++++++
The Dunespike dirge (p. 119)
Ooooo ooo ummmm! Ooooo ooo aaahhhh!
From the deep cold seas afar,
Spirits of the dead arise,
Rattling bones and sightless eyes,
From the deep mysterious sea.
Wand’ring lonely beach and shore,
We must walk eternally,
Wand’ring, seeking evermore,
When the pale moon sends its light.
Or in dark and starless night,
Roaming near and traveling far,
Ooooo ooo ummmm! Ooooo ooo aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
Leave the coast, desert our shore,
Or stay here for evermore,
Go by land or go by sea,
Heed these warning words and fleeeeeeeeeeeee!
++++++++++
Hogstamp Pawclap (p. 130)
Hogstamp pawclap all around the floor,
Shake those spikes that’s what they’re for.
Day is ended, work is done,
Hogstamp pawclap everyone!
Curtsy the pretty maid, bow down sir,
You’ve never danced with one so fair.
Take y’partner one two three,
Swing to the left, love, follow me
Rap rap rap! Let’s hear those paws,
I’ll stamp mine if you stamp yours,
‘Round an’ ‘round now jump up high,
Lookit that young hogmaid fly.
Hogstamp pawclap, move to the right,
I could dance with you all night,
Skip into the middle o’ the ring,
Raise y’voice let’s hear you sing!
Can’t you see, merry are we,
Here’s the land and there’s the sea.
Promenade, let’s hear you say,
Honour your partner, jig away!
With a hog an’ a stamp an’ a clap clap clap,
Raise the dust up slap slap slap,
Beat the rdrum an’ pluck those strings,
Ain’t we all such lucky things!
Easy with the spikes now... Hedgehogs!
++++++++++
Sung by Windred (p 171)
Old ninian mouse and his goodwife,
Needed a house to build,
They had a family grown so large,
Their tent was overfilled.
To setting sun the old wife toiled,
From daybreak in the east,
But Ninian was a lazy mouse,
Who loved to sleep and feast.
The wife heaved stone and carried wood,
For door and wall and beam,
While Ninian idly in daylight,
Snored on in peaceful dream.
She raised the gables, built a roof,
Her back was bent and sore,
As Ninian ate up all the food,
And loudly called for more.
So when the house at last was built,
His wife nailed up a sign,
Which stated ‘THIS AINT NINIANS!’
She said, ‘That shows ‘tis mine!’
Then when the countless seasons passed,
And all within had died,
The rain and storm of ages long
Had swept the sign outside.
It washed the first three letters out,
But left the rest intact.
That sign now reads, ‘S AINT NINIANS!’
A church? A joke? A fact!
So traveler if you read the sign,
Then take my word ‘tis true:
A dreamer can become a saint,
So can a glutton, too!
++++++++++
Sung by multiple beasts (p. 182)
Oh don’t it make a sight s grand,
A ship that travels on the land,
Keep that windlass turnin’, bend yore backs an’ push!
We’ll soon have her above the tide,
Then we’ll clean an’ scrape each side,
Keep that windlass turnin’, bend yore backs an’ push!
We’ve got to find a good tree fast,
Then we’ll build a new mainmast,
Keep that windlass turnin’, bend yore backs an’ push!
With pitch an’ rope we’ll make her right,
All shippyshape an’ watertight,
Keep that windlass turnin’, bend yore backs an’ push!
You vermin scum, oh mercy me,
Beware when Luke puts out to sea,
Keep that windlass turnin’, bend yore backs an’ push!
++++++++++
Sung by Twoola (p. 186)
Oh the weather’s cold outside outside,
But we’re all snug I here,
With thee an’ me, good company,
An’ lots o’ barley beer!
Oh the snow comes down outside outside,
An’ winter winds do moan,
But sit us by a roarin’ fire,
An’ you’ll not hear one groan!
Oh the night is dark outside outside,
But the soup is good an’ hot,
Good food, fine friends an’ happy hearts,
I’d say we’ve got the lot!
++++++++++
Sung by Goodwife Welff (p. 187)
Two plums grew on a pear tree,
A wise old owl did say,
Oh dearie me I’m certain,
They shouldn’t grow that way.
For beechnuts come from beech trees,
While Mother Nature rules,
As long as acorns come from oaks,
No wisdom comes from fools!
Then came a little hedgehog,
Who said with a simple smile,
Good day to you, wise creature,
Now list’ to me awhile.
Why does a tree stay silent,
And yet it has a bark,
An’ why do shadows fall at night,
But never leave a mark?
Thought you may think me silly,
I know ‘tis only fair,
Most any fool can tell you,
That two plums make a pear!
++++++++++
Grace (p. 207)
Fate’n’fortune smile on us,
An’ of this crew take care,
But let no greedy robber try,
To guzzle up my share!
++++++++++
Sung (off-key) by Beau
Oooooh flunky dee an’ a rum tumtum,
The good ship Flinkydogg,
Set sail with a crew o’ fishes,
An’ fat ole cap’n frog.
Oooooh doodle dey make way make way,
The frog said to the fishes,
‘All fins on deck an’ use yore tails,
To wash these dirty dishes!’
Oooooh skiddle deedoo, a fig for you,
The fishcrew boldly cried,
‘Just chuck ‘em in the ocean,
They’ll be washed up in the tide!’
‘Tis mutiny oh woe is me,
The frog did croak so sad,
‘If I’d a crew o’ boiler crabs
They’d not be’ave so bad!’
‘Twas after dark, a passin’ shark,
Heard what was goin’ on,
So for his tea, impartially,
He ate up everyone.
Oooooh goodness me hoho heehee,
The shark smiled, ‘Lackaday,
I can’t abide a feckless frog,
Nor fish who won’t obey!
(The next 46 verses omitted)
++++++++++
Sung by Beau and Cardo (p. 233)
Ho wot d’you give to a saucy crew,
Stew! Stew! Stew!
Wot’s better than a bowl o’ stew?
Why a bowl o’ stew or two!
We fries the varnish off the mast,
Then adds some ole rope ends,
An’ the cap’n’s boots all boiled up slow,
Good flavor to it lends.
So scoff it up ‘tis good for you,
Stew! Stew! Stew!
Made with a drop o’ lantern oil,
An’ a barnacle or two,
Some fine sail threads an’ fishes’ heads,
Then roast the cook’s ole socks,
An’ add to that some o’ the fat,
They use to grease the locks!
Ho stew, stew luvverly stew,
No skilly’n’duff or brown burrgoo,
Just swallow the lumps that you can’t chew,
An’ fill a plate for yore worst mate,
Then sit an’ watch him temptin’ fater,
With face so green an’ nose all blue,
Stew! Stew! Steeeeeeeeeeewwww!
++++++++++
The Shortsighted Vole (p. 236)
A shortsighted vole climbed out of his hole,
His glasses he’d lost I fear,
Some blossom petals on the breeze,
Fell on his head, oh dear!
‘I thought ‘twas summer but winter’s come,
‘Tis snow!’ that vole did shout.
‘I think I’d better go and warn
The creatures hereabout!’
He bellowed ‘round the woodland wide,
‘I think ‘tis going to freeze!’
He shooed some sparrows from a nest,
‘Back to your hive, you bees!’
And squinting dimly at the ground,
He lectured tufts of grass,
‘All hedgehogs now should be indoors,
‘Til wintertide does pass!’
‘Go join your family ‘round the fire,
Don’t sit there all alone,
‘Tis no fit weather for a mole,’
He scolded at a stone.
‘And as for you,’ he told a bush,
‘You badgers aren’t too smart,
I thought you’d be the first to know,
When winter’s due to start!’
So gather ‘round and listen all,
My moral’s clear and true,
I think ‘tis best to stop nd think,
When thoughts occur to you!
++++++++++
Beau’s eulogy (p. 240)
Our friend was taken by the sea
He rests now, who knows where,
A good an’ gen’rous beast he was,
A brave an’ cheerful hare.
We’ve got no flow’rs or blossoms,
To castout on the deep,
No stone will ever mark the spot,
Where he sank down to sleep.
Beau Fethringsol Cosfortingham,
Sweet as long summer days,
Your memory lies in our hearts,
You’ll be our mate, always!
++++++++++
The Old Farm Mouse (p. 255)
There was an ole farm mouse, lived in an ole farmhouse,
Who always thought of a reason,
To rant an’ complain, again an’ again,
Whatever the weather or season.
If the rain came down, he’d scowl an’ frown,
Shake a paw at the sky an’ say,
‘Rains like these are good for the peas,
But they ain’t much use for me hay!’
Then if wind came along, he’d change his song,
Cryin’ out ‘Oh woe lackaday,
‘Tis all I need, a wind indeed,
To blow all me apples away!’
He’d gnash his teeth about the shaded wheat,
At the sign of a cloud in the skies,
An’ the ery sight o’ the cloudless sunlight,
Would bring tears to both his eyes.
He’d simmer’n’boil, as he pawed the soil,
An’ got himself worried an’ fussed,
‘Lookit that sunlight, ‘tis far too bright,
‘Twill turn all me soil to dust!’
Oh botheration trouble an’ toil,
Life don’t get peaceful or calmer,
If I’d gone to sea, a sailor I’d be,
Instead of an ole mouse farmer.
++++++++++
Read by Grigg (p. 295)
From the dark and icy deeps,
Where the dreaded Bogle sleeps,
He’ll rise one night and climb aboard your ship,
Bringing fear and deathlike doom,
To your very cabin room,
Beware the Bogle’s clammy vicelike grip!
Aye, woe betide that crew,
Sailing on the main so blue,
And to those who don’t believe me double grief,
When the Bogle takes a meal,
You will hear a dreadful squeal,
He strikes when nighttime falls, just like a thief!
Aye, who of you can tell,
Give him gifts and feed him well,
Then the Bogle may slide back into the sea,
But if gifts and food be few,
Hearken now, for it is true,
The Bogle may eat you, or even me!
Crack some ribs or crush a skull,
Stuff down hearts ‘til he is full,
Rip paws and tails off any poor seabeast,
Lock your cabin doors this night,
Shake with terror, quake with fright,
For the Bogle may invite you to his feast!
++++++++++
Sung by Beau (p. 304)
When you’re feelin’ down an’ glum,
Don’t just sit round lookin’ dumb,
Sing tickety boo a fig for you, wot ho fol lah!
‘Cos there’s time for all that gloom,
When you’re dead an’ in the tomb,
Sing tickety boo a fig for you, wot ho fol lah!
When ‘tis rainin’ all the day,
An’ the skies are dirty gray,
An’ you’ve ate the last plm pudden off the shelf,
Jig an’ caper in the wet,
You’ll be better off I bet,
Than pullin’ faces, feelin’ sorry for yourself.
Oh tickety boo a fig for you, wot ho fol lah!
These few words will cheer you up an’ take you far,
Not like that old frumpy duck,
Or a frog who’s out of luck,
Or the little maggot who has lost his ma, ah ah ah ah aaaah!
If you laug there’ll be no rain,
An’ the sun’ll shine again,
Then your dear old aunt will back you apple pie,
So when hedgehogs learn to fly,
Fish will quack an’ wonder why?
Tickey boo a fig for you, never say die aye aye,
Aye aye, aye aye aye aaaaaaaaaaaaaye!
++++++++++
Sung by squirrels (p. 328)
The dull old ground is not for me,
I can’t stand it somehow,
Leave me in a good stout ree,
Upon a knotty bough!
‘Tis hey ho and up we go,
Above the ground we dwell,
Where every leaf’n’twig we know,
And every branch quite well!
A squirrel a squirrel so nimble,
Can climb most anywhere,
A tail in a tree is a symbol,
That I’m at home up there!
So ash, oak, rowan or pine,
Stately elm or beech,
They’re all fine, they’re all mine,
They’re all within my reach!
++++++++++
Recited by Columbine (p. 329)
‘Round the seasons slowly turning,
Faithful as the stars and moon,
Summer fades, the earth is yearning,
Softly whisp’ring autumn soon.
Drape the woods in mist one morning,
Now small birds have learned to fly,
Mother Nature’s gentle warning,
See green leaves turn brown and die.
In old orchards on the bough,
Fruit hangs russet, red and gold,
Purple scarlet berries now,
All the rambling hedgerows hold.
Hazel, beech and chestnut, too,
Each displays its burden fair,
They will shed them, all for you,
Ere winter lays their branches bare.
Fields of ripened grain and corn,
Swaying off to a murm’ring breeze,
Shaking off the dew of dawn,
When the eye sees signs like these.
Summer’s long hot days are ended,
Harvest moons o’er stream and mere,
Tell the tale, as ‘twas intended,
Autumn’s peaceful dream is here.
++++++++++
Sung by Skipper (p. 331)
Good night, sleep tight!
Don’t forget t’close the door,
Good night, sleep tight!
Use the bed an’ not the floor,
Good night, sleep tight!
Now don’t let me hear you snore,
Good night, sleep tight!
An’ don’t sleepwalk anymore.
Blow out the candle,
Turn down the bed,
Stop yore yawnin’, sleepyhead.
Good night, sleep tight!
Up the wooden stairs y’creep,
Good night, sleep tight!
Put on yore nightie, go t’sleep,
Good night, sleep tight!
Stop that talkin’ in yore dreams,
Good night, sleep tight!
Don’t rip y’sheets to smithereens,
If a nightmare starts t’show,
An’ you wake me up, oho,
Out the window you will go... good night!
++++++++++
Sung by multiple beasts (p. 350)
Now go good son and daughter,
Haste to our orchard fair,
And gather in the harvest,
Which lies a-waiting there.
Ripe apples, ripe apples, are flling to the ground,
As pears so sweet and and juicy are lying all around!
Keep singing pretty daughter,
Until the work is done,
So don’t eat the berries,
And leave your mother none.
Blackberries, ripe cherries, don’t bruise or break them miss,
For sweetness can be lost, like a faithless lover’s kiss!
The Gooseberry and greengage,
Are bittersweet my son,
And damson has a heart stone,
You’ll find before you’re done.
Enchanting, enticing, like wild grape on the vine,
The maidens want to help you, to let their paws entwine!
So pick a berry, sing so merry,
Harvest time is here,
Go skipping ‘round our orchard,
My son and daughter dear!
++++++++++
Marching Home (p. 367)
Marching home! Marching home!
Jolly friend! Jolly friend!
Trav’ling on, until our journey’s end,
So away with all your fears,
Smile with me, forget those tears,
Though the road was long an’ dusty we survived.
And arrived!
Tramp tramp tramp tramp,
Lay your head down where you camp,
It ain’t your home or fireside.
Tramp tramp tramp tramp,
Moorlands dry or forests damp,
Sharing together side by side.
Marching home! Marching home!
Jolly friend! Jolly friend!
O’er each highland, around each river’s bend,
Keep your chin up in the rain,
Soon we’ll be back home again,
Though my paws are worn an’ weary never fear.
Oh my dear!
Left right left right,
Onward mate by day or night,
Lean on my shoulder now old friend,
Left right left right,
Grey the day or sunlight bright,
Until we reach our journey’s end.
Marching home! Marching home!
++++++++++
Riddle for finding Martin’s sword (p. 373)
Above where autumn’s mists do rise,
Where I beheld with mine own eyes,
My dream, my vision, hov’ring there,
One morn upon old Mossflower’s air.
++++++++++
Martin’s words (p. 373)
I stand here in this world alone,
No kin of mine to take the sword,
No son or daughter of my own,
A bitter and a sad reward,
But Redwall in its hour of need,
Will bring forth one to follow me,
To that one, valiant in deed,
I leave a Warrior’s legacy.