Summer of Lore #74: A Song for Miresa

"Hear ye, people of Telrain! The lady Miresa Selvan has reached her thirteenth year!" a blonde haired minstrel announced, making the guests present cheer as a cake was set before Miresa with thirteen candles adorning its chocolate frosting.

"What is your wish for this year?" Arune asked her Other.

"The same thing I wish for every year." Miresa smiled before addressing the guests. "I wish for peace for all Shokiyu." With that, she blew out the candles, to cheers, applause and a triumphant chord from the minstrel's harp.

"A song for the young lady?" the minstrel grinned--he knew as well as the other guests that when it was someone's birthday, the guest of honor chose the first song of the party.

Miresa thought for a moment, then told the minstrel "I would like to hear 'Oh Soldier, Soldier'"

The minstrel nodded, then started the familiar melody. Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no stockings to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a pair of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put these on...'

Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no leather boots to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a pair of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put these on...'

Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no bracers to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a pair of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put these on...'

Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have diamond ring to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a ring of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put this on...'

After a brief interlude, the minstrel continued Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no trousers to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a pair of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put these on...'

Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no linen shirt to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a shirt of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put this on...'

Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you
For I have no feather cap to put on

So she went to the shop, as quick as she could run,
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
And she bought him a cap of the very very best
Saying 'Here, my good man, put this on...'

Miresa grinned as the minstrel began the final verse. Oh soldier, soldier, would you marry me now?
With a hey, and a ho, and the sound of a drum...
Oh no, fair maid, I cannot marry you...

He played a sad little flourish over his last line. For I have a wife of my own...

The room exploded in laughter and applauded as they pictured the lady's reaction to the news, drowning out the song's ending. "That last verse gets me every time!" Arune wheezed in between giggles.

"Is it any wonder it's Dorian's signature song?" Miresa smiled as she flipped a gold coin into the harp case...