Dance with Jak o’ the Shadows | Matrim Cauthon - Folk March Music (Wheel of Time Inspired)

A dark folk march inspired by The Wheel of Time, “Dance with Jak o’ the Shadows” is the infamous song sung by Matrim Cauthon and the Band of the Red Hand—a song Mat claims had not been heard since Aldeshar fell to Artur Hawkwing, a thousand years before. Jak o’ the Shadows is death itself, and this song doesn’t beg or bargain. It laughs, drinks, gambles, and dances straight into the grave. This is a rogue’s battle song—driven by luck, boots on stone, rattling dice, and the certainty that if death comes calling, it had better be ready to dance. Lyrics I’ll dance when the dice fall wrong, my friend, I’ll drink when the night won’t end. I’ve laughed at the rope and the gallows’ grin, And I’ll laugh again when I’m dead. The road is long and the moon is thin, Steel at my side, luck wearing dim. If the hangman waits at the edge of the town, I’ll tip my hat and dance him down. Dance, dance, Jak o’ the Shadows, Dance till the candle dies. Laugh at the noose and the raven’s call, And look death straight in the eyes. Dance, dance, Jak o’ the Shadows, Spin till the last breath goes— If I must fall, I’ll fall laughing still, Dancing with Jak o’ the Shadows. I’ve wagered my life on a turn of fate, On a crooked smile and a rusted gate. Kings may rule and heroes pray, But luck walks off when it’s time to stay. The dead don’t care for gold or crowns, They dance the same in silk or rags. So pour the cup and strike the tune, We’ll dance them blind beneath the moon. Dance, dance, Jak o’ the Shadows, Dance till the dawn burns red. Mock the blade and the graveyard song, For we’re not done yet, dead. Dance, dance, Jak o’ the Shadows, Spin where the lost winds blow— If the grave calls loud, I’ll call back proud, Dancing with Jak o’ the Shadows. When boots wear thin and the dice turn cold, When the last tale’s nearly told— Tie my boots and play it fast, I’ll meet old Jak at the end at last. Final Chorus (louder, faster) Dance, dance, Jak o’ the Shadows, Dance till the world breaks through. We live by chance and die by song, So Jak—this dance is you. Dance, dance, Jak o’ the Shadows, Till the wheel runs out of road— If death must claim me, he’ll earn the name, For I danced with Jak o’ the Shadows. Life’s a toss, and death’s the cost— So sing it loud… and dance it lost. #DanceWithJakOTheShadows #WheelOfTime #MatrimCauthon #FantasyMusic #FolkFantasy #DarkFolk #BandOfTheRedHand #FantasyFolk #TavernSong #EpicFantasy #JakOTheShadows #TheWheelWeaves #OriginalFantasyMusic