Jonah Gold

Stories of Jonah Gold are told throughout the Marches, and in parts of Hahnmark, Tassato, and Kahraman. The most popular tale dates from the time of the Cousins' War, and is referenced in a well-known song that is particularly popular in the Mournwold - there is evidence that Jonah was born and grew up in the Ore Hills long before the Mourn was fully conquered by the Marchers.

Jonah was said to be a miner who quarried out metal of such quality that his weapons turned the tide of war for his household. His jealous friend betrayed him to the enemy, and for a heavy purse of coin staged a mining accident that trapped him behind a rockfall where he presumably perished. Superstitious miners say that to see Jonah Gold presages disaster - whether his appearance causes catastrophe or simply warns against it varies from legend to legend.

His name has also been given to a variety of apple commonly grown in the Mournwold. Heavy, green and sweet, with a sharp bite, the "Jonah Gold" variety is used extensively in cooking sweet pies and apple sauce, and traditionally is buried with miners from the Mourn, particularly those who quarry green iron.

Jonah Gold Traditional, Mournwold (OOC: Lyrics by Jude Reid, Music and arrangement by Kathryn Wheeler)

A recording can be found here

Take your pick, push your cart Make your way to the Mournwold's heart Fire the rock, watch it break All its fortune is yours to take Pick and pan, sweat and toil Carving wealth out of Mournworld's soil

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold

Times of war, long ago Cousins fought then as mortal foes Jonah Gold, Marcher brave Mined the iron for his Household's blades Found a seam, green iron ore Held an edge like no blade before

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold

Jonah Gold, took the field Armed his household with sword and shield Won the day, claimed the land Gainst his weapons no foe could stand Turned the war for his kin With his steel they were sure to win

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold

Jonah Gold, none his peer Sent his weapons both far and near Jealous eyes saw his skill Envied him as weak souls will Rosie Smith, once his friend Swore that Jonah's life she'd end

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold

One cold day, down the pit Shovels carried and lanterns lit Jonah followed a call for aid Learned too late that he was betrayed Heard the blast's fearful sound Rockfall trapped him beneath the ground

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold.

Rosie Smith, name be cursed Killed her friend for a traitor's purse Spent her life, stiff with fright Saw his face in her dreams each night Lost her will, lost her wits Never ventured back in the pit

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold

Jonah Gold wanders still Haunts the mine beneath Mournwold's hill In the mines, dark and deep Rotting husk that can never sleep Face like coal, eyes that burn Waits for the traitor to return

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold

Some say he comes to warn Jonah means no true miner harm See him there, turn and run Death will strike ere the shift is done Mournwold's mines claim their due Marcher blood keeps the iron true

As you work, miners bold Beware of Jonah Gold