Song and Dance are important aspects of both Red and Gold culture in the Red Rising Saga. here is a list of those found throughout canon texts:
Songs[]
The Reaping Song[]
Note: Read more at The Reaping Song.
The Reaping Song is a song in Red Culture outlawed by the Golds, punishable by death if sung. It details of one day overthrowing Gold rule. It is only known to have been sung five times, the most famous of those being sung by Eo.
My love, my love
Remember the cries
When winter died for spring skies
They roared and roared
But we grabbed our seed
And sowed a song
Against their greed
My son, my son
Remember the chains
When gold ruled with iron reins
We roared and roared
And twisted and screamed
For ours, a vale
Of better dreams
And
Down in the vale
Hear the reaper swing, the reaper swing
The reaper swing
Down in the vale
Hear the reaper sing
A tale of winter done
A Memory of Ash[]
A Memory of Ash is a dirge written in the Rim after the Burning of Rhea.[1]
Mauler, Brawler, Legacy Hauler[]
Mauler, Brawler, Legacy Hauler is a creed chant ingrained into gray soldiers by the instructing veterans.[2]
Chop 'em if they're taller.
Stomp 'em if they're smaller.
Mauler, brawler, legacy hauler,
smoke that crow, earn his holler.
Mauler, brawler, legacy hauler,
smoke that ant, pay off your collar.
Legio!
Aeterna!
Victrix!
One more time, you fuckin' dogs!
Mauler, brawler, legacy hauler...
He Who Walks the Void[]
He Who Walks the Void is a song sung in Nagal, likely composed by Xenophon.[3]
There was one mighter 'fore Allmother's reign
Allfather, King of Stains, was his name.
For him, Old Kuthul rose against Sunborn
Till in Ladon he was felled, for no kin to mourn
To the fires his people and the Volk were sent
But not all to ash and bone must we lament
From sun to dust did the moon and dragons chase
The brood of Kuthul, who hid in darkest space,
Five ages passed of shadow and ice
Entomed in floating caverns, unted like rabid mice
Blossoms of blood and thrones of flesh were grown
As brother ate brother; sister ate sister
for a saviour, Allfather groaned
Then came the Outlander to answer his plea
Mighty were the lords of Ink, mighter was He.
Whores of their children, shards of their thrones
Made He, who crowned Himself with their bones
And fashioned Dark Wind of those not destroyed
To serve, to anoint, to proclaim:
He Who Walks the Void
Battlecry of the Lightbringer[]
Battlecry of the Lightbringer is an anchient hymn, likely composed sometime after The Conquering. It was sung during Lysander's Triumph.[4]
The Minotaur's Theme Song[]
Apollonius au Valii-Rath has a theme song sung by the legions under his command following his return to Venus in Iron Gold. It was sung when he fought Darrow and Cassius in the Hanging Coliseum of the Venus Dockyards.[5]
When he returned from deepest grave,
He had no home though he was brave!
But had two horns, that iron knave,
Praise he who commands our legion!
Forgotten soldier, march to war
Take your glory, Minotaur
Forgotten soldier, march to war
Take your homeland, Minotaur
Soon all of Gold will envy he
Who fought for you, and fought for me
With naught but horns, one minus three
Praise the Minotaur’s legions
Exiled Martian, march to war
Take your glory, Minotaur
Exiled Martian, march to war
Take your homeland, Minotaur
Hear the sound of thousands roar
Toward our planet, land of war
Through one billion slaves he’ll gore
Praise the Minotaur’s legion.
Though further lyrics are not shown in detail, additional verses are mentioned which describe Apollonius' past sexual relationship with Atalantia au Grimmus and boast of plans for future sexual encounters with Victra au Julii and Virginia au Augustus.[5]
Music[]
Dances[]
The Reaping Dance[]
The Reaping Dance is a dance that accompanies The Reaping Song, and is punishable by death if performed.[6] Darrow's father, Dale, was hung for performing it along with several others in a peaceful protest for increased rations.[7][8]
The Polemides[]
The Polemides is one of five dances in Gold Culture, and the dance of war. It is used to prepare children for martial combat and razor use. Darrow claims it to be exteremly similar to The Reaping Dance. Polemides is Greek for "Child of War."[6]