This a marching song, origin unknown, that travelers, wanderers and pilgrims alike sing together on their long trails through the Lands. As with many marching songs, its text is improvised by the performers, a playful question-response excercise to distract from the monotony of the long walk, each taking turn making verses before coming together on the chorus. They are most often about the grand and impressive sights, foods and beds one could find in the next town over, or next stop in the journey.
This version was performed to me by an old shepherd that I met on my travels. She was sitting by a well, and could not walk anymore. She went back to Anaana the next winter. May she rest in Her embrace.
As I walk, to the next town over
I remember how it all started
The reason why I became a rover
And why my heart is never excited
She thinks of the next town over
As we rove through peaks and sea
When your life has nothing to offer
You start walking, to be free~
I met a girl, in the next town over
With tree-green eyes, and fox-red hair
She had the long and nimble hands of a weaver
And her moon-lit smile was so unfair
I spent all of my nights, in the next town over
Under a tapestry of a starry sky
We fell in love with each other
Next to a stream that none lived by
She thinks of the next town over
As we rove through peaks and sea
When your life has nothing to offer
You start walking, to be free~
It was autumn, in the next town over
When she took my hand and stripped me down
It felt as if we melted together
Or turned to wind and left the ground
The next morning, in the next town over
There was a mob with blades and fire
"Damn you, you witch, you monster"
They cried out, as I fled their anger
She thinks of the next town over
As we rove through peaks and sea
When your life has nothing to offer
You start walking, to be free~
Now I travel to the next town over
With just my pack, my blade and my sorrow
I won't find fame, fortune or lover
Only maybe some shelter to borrow
When I don't reach the next town over
Don't send help, dogs or soldier
It means I'm finally free
I found the stars in eternity
It's as it should be
It's as it should be
She thinks of the next town over
As we rove through peaks and sea
When your life has nothing to offer
You start walking, to be free~
It's as it should be
It's as it should be