RPG designer Nick Whelan has been recording D&D Christmas carols for years.
The latest is Hark! I Am a Hireling, which he blogs reflects the sad fate of many NPCs.
As is tradition on this day, I’ve crafted a song for you to cringe at! This year I’ve taken the melody of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and replaced the lyrics with a little story from the perspective of a hireling. One that I think reflects a common experience for these ill-fated NPCs in many OSR games
Hark! I Am a Hireling
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a popular Christmas carol first published in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems by Charles Wesley. The song’s original version had nine verses, though modern versions typically only include four. It is believed that the song’s melody was borrowed from an earlier German tune written by George Frideric Handel.
If you’re more interested in tabletop history, or equally so, than the musical background, there’s a selection of Nick’s games on DriveThruRPG which includes both the Deadly Dungeons and, well, The Daschund Dungeon.
Other D&D carols
You can listen to a collection of songs from other the years in this playlist
Dark Lord Wenceslaus
Silent Thief, Greedy Thief
O Little Keep on Borderlands
Start up a conversation in the comments below.
