The Swindling Serpent

They said my talent for a tune was a gift from the divine

'Til I wished it for a living – then they said it was a crime

I feared I'd spend my last days fording rivers alone

Foraging and pondering for what I need atone

I met a band of nomads, a cast who'd traveled far

Disgraced, disowned, and exiled for being who they are

Banished by their kin for whom they'd laid with in bed

Or for leaving a life of labor for one of art instead

We drank and told stories, and I felt one among friends

For the first time, I never wished the days to end

What a wonderful summer to begin a new life

But winter brought a hailstorm of misfortune and strife

The fires may crackle but they can't keep out the cold

In no village are we welcome, nor tavern or stronghold

The bandits have made sure our wallets are empty

And now we have nothing but our pride and our brandy

Home – we'll find a home

There's a haven beyond these mountains we roam

A safe harbor for misfits should they need to retire

Or take solace in their cups beside a roaring fire

In a forlorn harbor there were no ships to be seen

No houses or markets or children in the street

Just a ruined shack with its roof half caved in

Buried under the rubble piled atop its foundation

For shame, I say, that your minds have grown so sore

Here in these ruins lies the treasure we've come for

We'll bolster our spirits, and build a suit of armor

A shrine to the beast that lurks in the harbor

"A beast in the harbor?" I asked as we set to work

"A giant, slithering serpent!" he said with a sinister smirk

The last of the ancients – the bringer of justice and prophecies

We'll be blessed with good fortune and despair will rain upon our enemies

We'll be a family, do for strangers what we can

But who says we can't have a little revenge?

We'll lure the bigots and muggers with our art and our songs

And show them what happens to those who've done us wrong

Home – we have a home

Beyond these endless mountains we've roamed