Version 1 → 2

Lyrics

1It is [Am]always quite foolhardy for a [C]young and ill-trained party1It is [Am]always quite foolhardy for a [C]young and ill-trained party
2To [D]gather at a tavern and to [E]say2To [D]gather at a tavern and to [E]say
3We have [Am]had it with our [F]teachers.3We have [Am]had it with our [F]teachers.
4Let’s go [G]off and kill some [E]creatures,4Let’s go [G]off and kill some [E]creatures,
5And [Am]find a ton of [G]gold to [E]haul a[Am]way.5And [Am]find a ton of [G]gold to [E]haul a[Am]way.
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7 [G]And [C]that is called bashing the [G]balrog.7 [G]And [C]that is called bashing the [G]balrog.
8 And the [Am]people who long to at[E]tack8 And the [Am]people who long to at[E]tack
9 Think, [C]once they have bashed on the [G]balrog,9 Think, [C]once they have bashed on the [G]balrog,
10 The [F]balrog will [E]not bash them [Am]back.10 The [F]balrog will [E]not bash them [Am]back.
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12It is equally foolhardy for that armed and eager party12It is equally foolhardy for that armed and eager party
13To win one lucky battle and feel sure,13To win one lucky battle and feel sure,
14We have polished off a goblin,14We have polished off a goblin,
15But he left our fighter hobblin’.15But he left our fighter hobblin’.
16Perhaps this magic potion is the cure.16Perhaps this magic potion is the cure.
1717
18 And that can make bashing the balrog18 And that can make bashing the balrog
19 Too much for the cleric and elf,19 Too much for the cleric and elf,
20 Who find, when they’re facing the balrog,20 Who find, when they’re facing the balrog,
21 That their fighter is not quite himself.21 That their fighter is not quite himself.
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23It is even more foolhardy for the changed and weakened party23It is even more foolhardy for the changed and weakened party
24To stare back at the balrog and to say24To stare back at the balrog and to say
25We can zap and we can bite you.25We can zap and we can bite you.
26We are quite prepared to fight you.26We are quite prepared to fight you.
27We suggest you turn around and fly away.27We suggest you turn around and fly away.
2828
29 And that’s called insulting the balrog,29 And that’s called insulting the balrog,
30 For balrogs aren’t easy to bluff.30 For balrogs aren’t easy to bluff.
31 They know, with a competent balrog,31 They know, with a competent balrog,
32 No army is half strong enough.32 No army is half strong enough.
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34And it’s just a bit too tardy when a member of the party34And it’s just a bit too tardy when a member of the party
35Succeeds at his IQ roll and exclaims35Succeeds at his IQ roll and exclaims
36Try a Light spell or Entangle36Try a Light spell or Entangle
37While I get a better angle,37While I get a better angle,
38For I think I know a way to douse his flames.38For I think I know a way to douse his flames.
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40 And that is called fleeing the balrog,40 And that is called fleeing the balrog,
41 And those who are wiser agree:41 And those who are wiser agree:
42 While comrades are bashing the balrog,42 While comrades are bashing the balrog,
43 It’s safest to go climb a tree.43 It’s safest to go climb a tree.
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45It is almost as foolhardy for the others in the party45It is almost as foolhardy for the others in the party
46To bravely join the fray with spell and sword.46To bravely join the fray with spell and sword.
47It has no chance of destroying.47It has no chance of destroying.
48At the worst you’ll be annoying,48At the worst you’ll be annoying,
49And at best you’ll keep the foe from being bored.49And at best you’ll keep the foe from being bored.
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51 And that is called bashing the balrog.51 And that is called bashing the balrog.
52 But should any witness survive,52 But should any witness survive,
53 He’ll see, once you’ve bashed on the balrog,53 He’ll see, once you’ve bashed on the balrog,
54 The balrog will skin you alive.54 The balrog will skin you alive.
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56So no matter just how hardy be the fools within your party,56So no matter just how hardy be the fools within your party,
57And no matter just how lucrative your aim,57And no matter just how lucrative your aim,
58If it ever is suggested58If it ever is suggested
59You can get by unmolested,59You can get by unmolested,
60You should rise and pound the table and exclaim,60You should rise and pound the table and exclaim,
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62 We never can win against balrogs,62 We never can win against balrogs,
63 However the dice might be tossed.63 However the dice might be tossed.
64 For the rules of this game are obscure and arcane,64 For the rules of this game are obscure and arcane,
65 And the party that plays it is lost!65 And the party that plays it is lost!