Journeying Song

By THLaird Colyne Stewart, AS 50 (2015)

Row the oars or spur the horse,

Hey-de-hi-oh!

Maps or stars to chart the course,

Hey-de-hi-yah!

Across the land we pilgrims go

Along the laneways to and fro

Our progress made we stop to eat

To feast on grain and wine and meat

To distant kingdoms sally forth

So boldly wolf-folk of the north

To deeds take part in other lands

And show the strength of northern hands

Row the oars or spur the horse,

Hey-de-hi-oh!

Maps or stars to chart the course,

Hey-de-hi-yah!

Oh, knights and squires, artisans,

Go travel to expand your clans

For there is more to see and do

Than only what is close to you

Row the oars or spur the horse,

Hey-de-hi-oh!

Maps or stars to chart the course,

Hey-de-hi-yah!

The Stag and Lion, Tiger bright,

The Griffon, Falcon taking flight,

Our Dragon-mother, wolf you know,

So make more friends where e’er you go

Row the oars or spur the horse,

Hey-de-hi-oh!

Maps or stars to chart the course,

Hey-de-hi-yah!

Row the oars or spur the horse,

Hey-de-hi-oh!

Maps or stars to chart the course,

Hey-de-hi-yah!

Written as a videra—a lyric genre of the Catalan and Occitan troubadours. They were dance songs designed to lighten the mood during a long voyage or journey. They were not often written by cultivated poets as the genre was considered low-brow. Also known as  viadeyra and viandla.