Marcher Dirge

This song is often sung to accompany the body to its final resting place - particularly amongst the folk of King's Stoke, in Upwold. It has since become well known throughout the Marches.

Based on the Lyke Wake Dirge (a video is available here)

Sheet music available here

Each verse features a call and refrain. This dirge pre-dates the Marches conversion to the Imperial Faith, and some more traditional Priests of the Imperial faith consider it near to heretical. That said, the song is still often sung at funerals, particularly in some of the more remote parts of the Marches.

This aye nighte, this aye nighte, —Refrain: Every nighte and alle, Fire and fleet and candle-lighte, —Refrain: And Earth receive thy soul.

When thou from hence away art past —Every nighte and alle, To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last —And Earth receive thy soul

If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon, —Every nighte and alle, Sit thee down and put them on —And Earth receive thy soul

If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane —Every nighte and alle, The whinnes shall prick thee to the bare bane. —And Earth receive thy soul

From Whinny Moor when thou may'st pass, —Every nighte and alle, To the great fire thou com'st at last; —And Earth receive thy soul

If ever thou gavest meat or drink, —Every nighte and alle, The fire sall never make thee shrink; —And Earth receive thy soul.

If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane, —Every nighte and alle, The fire will burn thee to the bare bane; —And Earth receive thy soul

This aye night, this aye night, —Every nighte and alle, Fire and sleet and candle-light, —And Earth receive thy soul