The Fair Fare of the Ferryman | Dark Fantasy Bard Song

*The Fair Fare of the Ferryman* is a mischievous medieval fantasy bard song about Charon, the legendary Ferryman of the River Styx, and the one toll that awaits every soul who crosses into the Underworld. Along the dark waters of the Styx, a merchant pleads for more time, a proud knight boasts of his courage, and a humble beggar offers his final copper. Inspired by Greek mythology, Dungeons & Dragons, the Lower Planes, and the ancient legends of the River Styx. 🎭 *Theme:* River Styx · Charon the Ferryman · Underworld Folklore · Gallows Humor · Death & Destiny 🎨 *Style:* Medieval Swamp Blues · Dark Fantasy Folk · Mischievous Tavern Song · Appalachian Folk Shuffle 🎻 *Sound:* Bluesy Harmonica · Dark Lute · Mandolin · Lively Fiddle · Hurdy-Gurdy · Acoustic Bass · Bodhrán · Stomping Percussion 🎙️ *Vocals:* Powerful honey-sweet male soprano with an Appalachian lilt, delivering sly, theatrical storytelling with playful swagger. 🎲 *Perfect for:* D&D, Pathfinder, tabletop RPGs, fantasy taverns, underworld adventures, River Styx encounters, Planescape campaigns, and dark fantasy playlists. Lyrics: Down where the cypress claws the sky, And death-dark waters whisper by, A lantern sways beside the shore, Above a skiff with one long oar. Old Charon grins beneath his hood, His skiff of ancient, blackened wood. "One coin," he says, "for great and small, The River Styx shall claim ye all!" Pay the fair fare of the ferryman, Fair and square, my dear! One coin to cross the River Styx, And none may bargain here! One coin for lord, one coin for knave, One toll for high and low, Oh, the fair fare of the ferryman, Is the last debt that ye owe! A merchant came in velvet fine, With gold he'd hoarded all his time. "Take all!" he cried, "But turn about! I've business yet to carry out!" The boatman set his lantern low, "Thy bargains ended long ago. One coin shall bear thee to that shore, But none shall bring thee back once more!" Pay the fair fare of the ferryman, Fair and square, my dear! One coin to cross the River Styx, And none may bargain here! One coin for lord, one coin for knave, One toll for high and low, Oh, the fair fare of the ferryman, Is the last debt that ye owe! A knight strode forth in battered mail, His face beneath his visor pale. "I fought through fire! I stood my ground! No braver soul shall here be found!" The boatman chuckled, "Brave indeed, But glory's not the toll I need. Thy wars are done, thy sword lies still, One coin, good knight, and cross ye will!" Pay the fair fare of the ferryman, Fair and square, my dear! One coin to cross the River Styx, And none may bargain here! One coin for lord, one coin for knave, One toll for high and low, Oh, the fair fare of the ferryman, Is the last debt that ye owe! A beggar came with hands of bone, His tattered cloak his own alone. "My daughter placed beneath my tongue, The final copper that she'd won." The boatman nodded, "Climb aboard, Thy little coin's a fair reward. No king pays less, no pauper more, Come take thy seat and leave the shore." A drunken ghost cried, "Fair is fair! What if thy skiff sinks halfway there?" Old Charon laughed, "My friend, I fear, I've never learned to swim, my dear!" Pay the fair fare of the ferryman, Fair and square, my dear! One coin to cross the River Styx, And none may bargain here! One coin for lord, one coin for knave, One toll for high and low, Oh, the fair fare of the ferryman, Is the last debt that ye owe! So tuck thy copper 'neath thy tongue, And sing thy songs whilst ye are young! For when his lantern lights the foam, He'll take thee where none journey home! #Bardcore #FantasyMusic #DnD #TavernMusic #MedievalFolk #RiverStyx #TabletopTunes