We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Travel On / Heroes' Feast

from Drakus by James Murray

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $2 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Travel On:

Travel On:

This is another really old song that I wrote in 1995. I used to love playing this one at filk events at conventions and renfaire festivals because it has such a bard song vibe.

I also played this song quite a few times at open mics while living in in North Carolina. My friend, Mike Sedito, used to run those open mics and he used to love jamming this song with me, even one time turning it into a reggae jam (I wish we had recorded that). He was kind enough to play electric guitar on this recording.

Bongo John also added his significant drumming skills. Pauline, my sister Coreen and cousins Christina and Michelle also added their beautiful voices. They all definitely helped this track come alive.

Heroes' Feast:

This song has three sections:

I. Bustling Brew
II. Funky Feast
III. Blissful Bellies


I first wrote this song as a picking exercise in 1995 when I got my first electric guitar (the same Ibanez Artist I'm using on this recording). It became a part of the then ever expanding Drakus suite.

The song has been expanded considerably from its original 90s version since I have a lot more instrumentation to work with. Originally it was just the bustling brew section going into the funky feast baseline (all played on the guitar) back into bustling brew. I like this version much better. The jazzy blissful bellies section is the newest and my favorite section (though it is a reference to the old Travel On melody). Bongo John's drumming is a monster throughout this whole song.

lyrics

Travel On:

When I was just a child one day
We walked along the waterway
I asked my father what lay beyond
the hills of crown and Glavestoun

Travel on we grew so fast
Travel on but slow enough that
We never saw the cycles of our lives

He told me that the cave of Drake
lay within the mountain gloom
A dragon lived their, so he said
But riders brought him to his doom

Travel on we grew so fast
Travel on but slow enough that
We never saw the cycles of our lives

Drakus was the dragon’s name
And terrible was the flying worm
He scorched our fields, destroyed our homes
And left our bodies charred and burned

My grandfather was one of them
Who rode to slay the wretched beast
And every year we honor them
Our heroes with an annual feast

Travel on we grew so fast
Travel on but slow enough that
We never saw the cycles of our lives

If I were only half as brave
as grandfather back in the day
They sacrificed and scrimped an saved
while we just laugh and feast and play

But the party does end far too fast
Our travels takes us down that path
And soon we’ll see the cycle of our lives

Heroes' Feast:

I. Bustling Brew
(Instrumental)

II. Funky Feast
(Instrumental)

III. Blissful Bellies
(Instrumental)

credits

from Drakus, released April 17, 2018
James Murray - vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
Bongo John - drums
Mike Sedito - electric guitar
Pauline Salotti - backing vocals
Christina Wright - backing vocals
Coreen Murray - backing vocals

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

James Murray image

James Murray

I'm a musician from Long Island influenced mainly by folk singer songwriters of the 60s and 70s as well as Progressive Rock, Jam Rock, and Jazz

contact / help

Contact James Murray

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like James Murray, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now