Collection of Heart Warming Hearth's Warmings

by SwordTune

Carols 2

No matter where you live, from Yakyakistan to the Dragon Lands, holidays have a special way of bringing out the music within all creatures. These carols may not be known to us in Equestria, but they are some of the most popular classics sung throughout the wider world.

As we greet the end of each year, it is this author's opinion to appreciate the things we don't normally see as gifts. A gift does not have to be bought, made, wrapped, and delivered. A gift can come from someone just by being in their presence, whether or not they even know they are giving it. So look beyond your walls, and next year, find some creature you've never known before and let their differences be a gift to you.

The first carol is an original griffon song, sung usually around the time of the Blue Moon Festival. It may not seem appropriate to Equestrian ideas of the holidays, but the traditional song is a celebration of all the good things that wealth can bring, glorifying the idea of money as an entity called the "Golden Coin" or "La Pièce d'Or."

Contrary to perceptions of the griffons, this carol is not a product of the griffon culture's focus on self-determination and enterprise. The earliest scripts date to King Grover's kingdom, where it was sung to recognize that having wealth makes enjoying friendships much easier.

The second carol comes from an old yak folksong. It is not necessarily a song dedicated to Yak holidays, but it is still incredibly popular for celebrations. Written by the mother of Prince Ulysses, the song can be dated to ten years before the founding of the dragon lands. Remarkably, the lyrics have been well preserved in both written and oral tradition. The words are both uplifting and sombre, as the singer laments about her son's journey to end the war between dragons and yaks.

Other historians and writers have also suggested the song is older than Prince Ulysses' mother. Allusions to a very similar song, "Wonderous Wandering," appear in the yak epic "Sung Edda." This theory suggests the song's original purpose was to express a mother's concern over her son's adolescence and growing independence. With either interpretation, the song is fundamentally about mother and son.

That is not to say new meanings have not been created. In Yakyakistan (and very recently the Crystal Empire) this song has become a popular expression of all kinds of love. Over the years, parts have been translated from Middle Yakyakic over to Old Ponish, and later to Modern Ponish. Only recent historical records have revealed the original Yak chorus, giving us an updated rendition with some of the sounds Prince Ulysses's mother intended to convey.

And if you find the sound resonates with you, then perhaps we can say that love hasn't really changed over these few thousand years.

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"The Gold" as sung by the Traditional Griffonstone Children's Troupe. Translation by Historia Writ and Regis Languis.

La Pièce d'Or, le Roi du luxe, que j'adore ta lumière.
Quand, par le jour, c'est la saison
Acheter tout les présents,
La Pièce d'Or, le Roi du luxe, il comblera mes désirs.

Nous te gagnons dans tout l'année. Tu nous aides avec pauverté.
La Pièce d'Or, comme il est beau,
de te voir briller parmi nous.
La Pièce d'Or, garda chez nous, scintillant d'éclat.

La Pièce d'Or, miraculeuse, un symbole de son labeur.
De le valeur, toujours vraie.
Les bonne affaires sont bonne idées.
La Pièce d'Or, miraculeuse, m'offrent votre richesse.

(Translation)

The Golden Coin, King of luxury, I adore your light.
When, by the holidays, it is the season
To buy all the presents,
The Golden Coin, King of luxury, he will fulfil my desires.

We earn you throughout the year. You keep us from poverty.
The Golden Coin, how it is beautiful,
to see you shine bright among us.
The Golden Coin, guarded in our home, sparkling.

The Golden Coin, miraculous, a symbol of one's labour.
Of the value, always true,
The good discounts are good ideas,
The Golden Coin, miraculous, offer me your riches.

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"I Wonder Where Ye Wander," arrangement by Pinkie Pie and Prince Rutherford.

I wish I was down south with you,
so my pain can then be healed,
and in my sleep, I could lie still,
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

Sodar, sodar, sodar mo grá,
sodar go folláin agus sodar i bhfad.
Lean ar aghaidh thar chontúirt ar,
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

I'd smash the mountains and I'd smash the hills
To churn the land and plant the fields,
Just for my love to have a meal,
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

Sodar, sodar, sodar mo grá,
sodar go folláin agus sodar i bhfad.
Lean ar aghaidh thar chontúirt ar,
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

I'd weave new hair braids, I'd bake more bread
And 'round the world to make his bed
Until his journey, at last, is met.
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

Sodar, sodar, sodar mo grá,
sodar go folláin agus sodar i bhfad.
Lean ar aghaidh thar chontúirt ar,
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain,
I wish I had my heart again,
I vainly want that dragon slain,
Agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú slán.

(Chorus Translation)

Trot, trot, trot, my love,
Trot healthily and trot far.
Proceed beyond danger,
And I know you are safe.

Author's Note:

Songs are meant to be heard. Here are some counterparts to the Equestrian carols.

"The Gold" counterpart

"I Wonder Where Ye Wander" counterpart