Hymns, songs and prayers

[Aldrannath]

((This thread is for any texts we use in religious rituals, that we feel are worth holding on to.

The English doesn't have to be perfect or poetic; remember it's all "only a translation from the Darnassian". Do try to keep it correct in terms of Kaldorei theology and the Way of Malorne; if anything really jars I'll comment.

All the texts here are optional and subject to change; if you want to use something different you can always make it up.))

((EDITED to add: there is now a GHI book with suggested texts for most elements of the Rite of Tranquility and the Rite of the Hunt. The texts are only suggested, to give an impression and an outline as well as a fallback option; please continue to use your creativity! After all, copying text into chat out of a GHI book is rather boring.))

[Kaylaneh]

Right, here goes my first idea. I'm not that good with making English ryhme but, I hope its a good attempt

Song of the Huntress

Prowling through the forest with a bow,
With on her shoulder a feathery owl,
She watches over the weak against our enemies might,
Like a lioness tending to her pride,

Blessed by Elune, guided by Malorne,
She stands vigilant against our enemy,
Whose hated by many,
But defeated by few,

She found a demon,
Terrible was his scent,
Bad were his needs,
Even worse were his deeds,

She pulled out an arrow,
Venom on the tip,
Made with a tree's marrow,
Arrow shot, it was a hit,

No one cheered,
No one celebrated,
For the life of a Huntress,
Is one with a never ending duty,

[Aldrannath]

((I like it Celegil! Only one theological point:))

Blessings come from Elune. Malorne is our guide, but she and she alone is our Mother and Protector.

((This is already more poetic than it needs to be. Straight prose is fine, it's the content and the tone that make it feel like (a translation of) poetry. All the more impressive that you managed it in this form. ))

[Kaylaneh]

Thank you! So 'Blessed by Elune and Malorne' becomes just 'Blessed by Elune'? Or do you want that sentence replaced with the sentence you made?

[Aldrannath]

Nov 6, 2009 20:52:33 GMT 1 Kaylaneh said:

Thank you! So 'Blessed by Elune and Malorne' becomes just 'Blessed by Elune'? Or do you want that sentence replaced with the sentence you made?

"Blessed by Elune" is fine, or "Blessed by Elune, guided by Malorne."

[Kaylaneh]

Danke! Changed it

[Aldrannath]

An ancient hymn of the tranquility of Elune.
(Traditionally used for the Rite of Tranquility.)

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

She sends the stars, to shine and comfort us; sends the running water to sing to us.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

She calls Malorne, Her lover and friend, to watch our ways and lead us. He set us on Her shining path; He gives us hope in Her.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

She makes the waters, the Ocean and the Deep; each day She sends the Sun, that Her children may grow, each night Her tenderness lies on the land.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

None of the mountains can tell of Her majesty; none of the waters can speak of Her peace, yet all Her creation is bathed in Her light.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

The trees and the earth sing praise of Her glory, the light of Her glory which enlightens us, Her blessed children.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

Each of Her creatures is born to rejoice in Her light; each of them crumbles and falls to give glory to Her.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

For the turning of the seasons is as the waves in Her Ocean, endlessly, constantly, they wax and they wane.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

The ceaseless millennia blossom and fall like the countless leaves of Her blessed forest.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

((etcetera.))

[Kaylaneh]

((etcetera. Incidentally, "Adore" here has nothing to do with love, "Elune Adore" means "Elune watches" in Darnassian. It's pronounced a-DOR-ay.))

Well shoot off my socks! I didn't know that yet! I always thought it was something as in 'Elune's love upon you'. Silly French

[Aldrannath]

Actually, my bad, I just checked, "Elune Adore" means "Elune be with you." I've been running on the misconception that it meant "Elune watches" for months. I think I'll change the hymn.

Edited to add: "Zin" means glory in Darnassian, and "Zin-al-Elune" is used in incantations. It probably means "glory to Elune" or something like that, so I decided to use it here.

[Aldrannath]

Tonight for the first time we celebrated the mini-Rite where the charred skull of an offered stag or bear is set in the branches of a tree. This is based on what we improvised; there's a moment at the end there stolen from Dylan Thomas, my second-favourite source for plagiarism.

The Ranger holds the skull before the Elder, who scratches the mark of Malorne on its forehead.

Elder: Malorne gazes through your eyes, young brother who springs in the forest. Keep your watch over us then, and over the Balance, you who have gone before us, to walk with Him towards Her embrace. May Elune, who smiles on your living dance and your dead bones alike, shine Her light in your eyes, and in your watch, and grant at last that which the Balance shrieks for: Her peace.

The Ranger climbs into the tree, to take the servant of the Balance to his eternal watch.

Ranger: As you find your way home, so lead this your forest, your Balance, to Her home.

Elder: Malorne, Waywatcher, let this skull be a testament to Your vigilance, a ward against Your enemies, a hope and a blessing to all those who turn to You, to Your guidance, to Your Way. Spread Your Tranquility over us, even as the White Lady covers us with Her light, and teach us to give as this stag has given, as You have given, as each one of us at the last must gladly give. For our lives are the seeds that lie in the green earth; of a time they shall have the trees and leaves trail with bindweed and ivy down the rivers of the windfall light.

Both: Zin-al-Elune.

[Ilithura Keenshot]

I just saw these and they look great! Over on my old realm, I used to write hymns and prayers too, but they were not used for hunting rituals and the like, mostly during our prayer ceremonies in the Temple or at various other shrines. here's a link to the document if you're interested .

And Celegil, hi there! Your poem actually inspired me to write one about huntresses too! The balance of nature and the hunt are such an integral part of night elf culture that it escapes me why I have not written something about either subject yet, but I gave my hand at writing something about the life of a huntress. I'm not too proud of it, it's a very rough draft in fact but here it is:

To the stars and to the skies,
I opened the covers of my eyes,
I found myself all alone,
And thrown into the dark unknown.

I was bestowed by my mistress,
The life of a lonesome huntress;
My hand with yours will never meet,
As I tread this world with lonely feet.

I felt despair grip my heart,
As the moon descended to depart:
Forlorn in this world I had been,
With nothing but darkness to be seen.

But then I heard his bellowing call,
In all life he was, both great and small!
He taught me the way of the world,
As the makings of his hand then unfurled.

And the balance I swore to safeguard;
Though from my people I was barred,
I felt within me the eternal joy,
Of always being in his employ.

So let balance be restored!
Let the makings of his hand be adored,
And let the harmony finally go to rest,
As I fulfil his every wish and behest.

[sveraes]

Before Her eternal gaze, we are but wave on Her glorious sea.
Ripples, sprung from her wish and embraced by her love.

The White Lady shines on us, She fills us with Her light. Zin-al-Elune.

[sveraes]

((Galapherals, battlespeach:))

Though we may be besotted by troubles aplenty, and stripped of our once-undeniable pride, the Kaldorei strive on as ever. We fervently continue to fulfill our duty, our commitment, and our covenant with Elune and her consort.

As a nation, we have lead the world. As a people, we have united nature under harmony. As a dynasty, we have stood proud and left only nature in our wake. As Guardians of the Earth, we shall leave peace and harmony once again. This I vow.

May Malorne bless us with bounteous fortunes, the strength of a thousand stags, and the majesty of a silver deer. May Elune forever grant us hope and illumination in these dark times. Zin-al-Elune!

[sveraes]

Original melody: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJWBao3KTpU

- Song of the End of Hope -

Don't cry for me, where is your love gone?
Try to see, how deep my despair is. Come the winds of fate and time, take all my tearful memories.
Calling out to thee, sing your name in sweet harmony. But only echoes fade away. Crying out to thee every moment with chiming will. Where has gone silent tears.
Don't sigh for She, She won't forget you. Try to see our shades of history.
Darkness fills my heart and I, see the flood of hope has pass'd by.

Calling out to thee, sing your name in sweet harmony.
My voice calls endlessly. Roaming round the crying world, a rough breath in dark. Cruel blades and thought bring sorrowful dawn. Burning away the hollow heart. Our pray for Malorne. Where has the Lady gone, so I need. Weep myself out gently till I'm blind.

Roaming round the crying world, a rough breath in dark. Cruel blades and thought bring sorrowful dawn. Burning away the hollow heart. Our pray for Malorne. Where the lady has gone, so I need. Weep myself out gently till I'm blind.

Please come to me, that the last of me. Try to see, the million stars shines faintly.

[Kaleina Moonrise]

Stormy clouds rise, Over the memories of the past,
Blazing northern fire, Beyond the mountains of Nordrassil

In the blackening sky The heralds of the goddess fly
Holding the eternal flame, Behold the Silver light.

Anchient Companion Spirits, Of Wild Malorne
See their glorious march, Beyond the Wilds and Woods

Blood and fire flows away, Peace of the Goddess
Under the pale grey sky
Circles of stones, Malorne Guide your spirit
On the ancient path

As long as the wind howls hymns, As long as the ravens fly
Elunes Light will Shine, For the guidance of Malorne
Zin-al-Elune, Adore.