The Ballad of Darth Plagueis | A Minstrel's Retelling (Original Song)

Extra content: / marktheminstrel
Instagram: / marktheminstrel
Hello traveler. Have you ever heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?
If you'll sit for a while, I'll tell you the story via song.
Presenting: The Ballad of Darth Plagueis
What story do you think needs to be told?
let me know in the comments!
Disclaimer for KZbin:
I do not own the characters or concepts related to anything Star Wars. I am just a fan of the series that wanted to make a song honoring one of the characters.
All the music, including melody, instrumentals, chords, and lyrics is original and composed by me.
Lyrics and chords:
Instrumental
| A | A | A | A |
| A | A | A | C G |
| A | A | Em | C |
Verse 1
| A | A | C G | A |
Listen all you travelers and
Hear the tales of old.
| A | A | F | D |
Sit with me a while for this
Story needs to be told
| A | A | C G | A |
It’s a tale of tragedy
So lend your ears and eyes. I’ll
| A | A | G D | A |
tell you of the dark wizard
Plagueis the wise.
Instrumental
| A | A | G D | A |
Verse 2
| A | A | C G | A |
Born into a cult of heathens
Banished from the land
| A | A | F | D |
No one knew the vile plot his
Evil mind had planned
| A | A | C G | A |
Seeking the forbidden knowledge:
How to never die.
| A | A | G D | A |
None alive or dead could stop him.
Ever did they try.
Chorus
| C | G | F | Am |
Born and bred in darkness.
Wisest of them all. The
| F | AM | F | G |
Ruler of ten thousand years took
just one night to fall. The
| C | G | F | Am |
One who lived forever,
Away his life was thrown.
| AM | F | F5 - A5 |
He could save another’s life, But
could not save his own
Instrumental
| A | A | A | C G |
| A | A | Em | C |
| A | A | A | C G |
| A | A | Em C | A |
Verse 3
| A | A | C G | A |
A sword of blazing fire
A scalpel in his hand
| A | A | F | D |
The very force of nature would
Bow to his command
| A | A | C G | A |
A man of war and science.
Strong and sharp of mind. The
| A | A | G D | A |
Secret of creating life,
He was able to find.
Verse 4
| A | A | C G | A |
Plagueis could use the force of
nature at a breath. With
| A | A | F | D |
Power to save anyone he
Loved from certain death. He
| A | A | C G | A |
trained a young apprentice
With whom to rule the land.
| A | A | G D | A |
Ten thousand years of fearing
Plagueis’ hand.
Chorus
| C | G | F | Am |
Born and bred in darkness.
Wisest of them all. The
| F | AM | F | G |
Ruler of ten thousand years took
just one night to fall. The
| C | G | F | Am |
One who lived forever,
Away his life was thrown.
| AM | F | F5 - A5 |
He could save another’s life, But
could not save his own.
Instrumental
Verse 5
| A | A | C G | A |
He became so powerful
The only thing to fear Was
| A | A | F | D |
losing all the power that
He came to hold so dear. He
| A | A | C G | A |
taught his one apprentice
Everything he knew. But
| A | A | G D | A |
His apprentice stole the pow’r when
Plagueis he slew.
Verse 6
| A | A | C G | A |
The apprentice saw his chance to
Take his master’s crown. The
| A | A | F | D |
Student waited till the night to
Strike Him Down.
| A | A | C G | A |
Plans of life forever.
Gone without a trace.
| A | A | G D | A |
Now his young apprentice would go
On to take his place.
Sidious theme
Chorus
| C | G | F | Am |
Born and bred in darkness.
Wisest of them all. The
| F | AM | F | G |
Ruler of ten thousand years took
just one night to fall. The
| C | G | F | Am |
One who lived forever,
Away his life was thrown.
| AM | F | F5 - A5 |
He could save another’s life, But
could not save his own.
Instrumental
Instruments used:
Rogue RM100-A Mandolin
Gold Tone OM-800+ Octave Mandolin
Yamaha YRT-302B Tenor Recorder
Mollenhauer Alto Recorder
Sonola Rivoli Special Accordion
Tama Quality Bass Drum
Cosmic Productions Tambourine
Speed: 135 BPM
Timing: 4/4
Key: Am

[@bobjeankins2639]

“We will be watching your career with great interest.”

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I have been _dying_ for someone to comment this 🤣 Thank you ever so much, traveler 🙏

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

This video is a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one

[@or_gluzman561Peace_IL_PS]

Did you ever hear the Ballad of Darth Plagueis The Wise? I thought not. It's not a story the Paladins would tell you.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

It's a warlock legend.

[@xakh]

Recommended tab is like "Hey you wanna hear Star Wars lore turned bardcore? Course you do, you fucking nerd" and I definitely did. Underrated channel my guy, subbed, can't wait for more!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Imagine how much of a nerd I felt like while making it 🤣. Thank you for the subscription, traveler!

[@xakh]

@@MarkTheMinstrel i have to say I can't stress enough how much finding your channel brightened my day. I love seeing something I've never seen before from someone genuinely passionate to make it happen. Thank you for sharing your passion with us 😊

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

That means a lot to hear 😄. The pleasure is all mine.

[@Nukestarmaster]

It was actually a mix of music that brought this one to my ears.

[@agoosecalledxaro6679]

Watching this on loop is so much better than watching modern Star Wars.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

the classics indeed are far superior 💪 and nothing beats the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise 🎵

[@warthog075]

Amazing. Having not the power of decree, I can only exclaim how every village, town, and city should have minstrels. Absolutely wonderful. Gratitude.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Indeed! After all there must be someone to tell the stories that need to be told.

[@VoicesOfNihil]

"I surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one."

[@arwenrosefall8081]

Dude this is unironically amazing

[@mnorth1351]

It's also ironically amazing too!!

[@fernandomorenomartinez6372]

Perfect for my new D&D Campaign

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Nice! What's your new campaign about?

[@fernandomorenomartinez6372]

A retelling of the Scarlet Witch, and now I have a popular song for her origins!@@MarkTheMinstrel

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Exciting! That sounds like it will be a lot of fun! I'm honored to have assisted with the origin story 🙏

[@branko1717]

Such a jolly rendition my dear minstrel! I thank thee from the bottom of my heart

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

The pleasure is all mine, dear traveler 😄

[@SparkStudiosTunes]

This tickles the nerdiest parts of my brain in the best ways

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

A sentiment we share 🎵

[@silveryphoenix44]

Brilliant love it. You made your own tune, made the lyrics, played the instruments, and made it the tale of the wizard, Dark Palgueis the Wise

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Much appreciated! I'm a bit of a jack-of-all-trades.

[@darthbane3937]

Cool. I think it would have been even better as Plagueis the Magus. A Magus studies the arts more so it fits and it rhymes. Good retelling, have you read the Plagueis novel?

[@silveryphoenix44]

@@darthbane3937A bard's tale is not a scholar's rhyme. & for me I haven't read the novel since sheeve told everything plot relevant

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

@@darthbane3937 I will admit that even _I_ didn't dare try to rhyme something with 'Plagueis' 😂. I have not read the novel but I have had many people recommend it to me. My source material for the song was just the tragedy from the movie, and wookipedia.

[@darthbane3937]

Cool, the dark magus Plagueis the wise would have fit. I've thought that since I first read the novel. A magus studies the arcane and who did that better than Plagueis. If you read the novels, Force sensatives hate being called wizards. It is how ignorant fools view the Force, something both the Jedi and Sith agree on LOL. Still you put it together very well for someone who hasn't read the novel. If you read the novels, do yourself a favor and read this one. It's one of the best next to the Revenge of the Sith by Stover, and the Darth Bane trilogy.

[@ServerYT]

There's a perfect mixture of Nerdiness and Geekiness in this video, amazing job!

[@simonhirschmugl5134]

This is not the version of the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise we deserve, but the one we need! Thank you for this epic (and hilarious) piece of art!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

The pleasure is all mine! Glad you enjoyed, traveler.

[@seanrubesh2544]

Ah hah, a poignant and cautionary tale laden with betrayal and sprinkled with irony - Well sung and played, sir minstrel!

[@Faultystar5]

This is awesome mark! I just discovered your KZbin channel and it’s exactly the vibe I love

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Here's to many more videos 🍻

[@TheMizymod]

WoW! KZbin actually recommended something worth my time :O Great job :D

[@Razgriz85]

One of the good things that came from the pandemic years is bardcore style music.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Bardcore is a blessing I am honored to adopt 😄

[@tarvoc746]

"It's not a story the Clergy would tell."

[@iosefiniosefin]

28K at this point (21.07.2024.) This is crazy! I wait to see the popolarity growing in time. I really like this song!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

It's definitely my most popular video. I'll admit that I've been trying to figure out how it got so many views for quite some time now... to no avail 😅 Glad you enjoy it though 🙏

[@aidanjones8288]

The temptation to put this on as background music in a tavern for my dnd campaign is real

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

A temptation you need not resist 💪

[@Tamales21]

REQUEST: do a song like this but about the 1998 action comedy classic starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan...RUSH HOUR.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I may not be able to get to it for a while due to all the holidays but your request is officially scribed in my list of songs to play. I look forward to seeing what kind of ballad comes of it 😂. Thank you for the request, traveler 🙏

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I have not forgotten! At long last it is complete: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHSUl6GMhM-Wb7s

[@niche4783]

no clue how I came here but this is actually very good

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

[@derskalde4973]

Must have been the will of the Force that led us here to witness this outstanding story.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

"It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together." -Obi Wan

[@CelticMedievalGuitar]

you are great my friend, wonderfully medieval!

[@taren389]

Wow! This is amazing and incredibly creative! I love what you did there!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thanks! I hope to make many more just like it once I have time 😄

[@mnorth1351]

This right here, this is the kind of thing that made the internet great. Well done, sir!

[@poutinewizard]

Instant like & subscribe, doing the Sith Lord’s work

[@TwinkleToestheBerserker]

Okay, I just found you and I'm about to go look at all your videos because not only did you do THIS but you also added the chords so I'm interested to see what else you do. If I follow you, it's probably because I liked the other stuff too ;)

[@Midsix]

Im not even that big a fan of Star Wars but this is amazing! I hope you do more like this because I’ve just subbed!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I definitely plan on it! They tend to take a while to make, but if you have any suggestions I'm all ears.

[@zadeyeager872]

I would love to use this in my Star Wars dnd campaign

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Be my guest! It would be an honor to play for you all

[@FutureMan420Blazer]

This video and channel is criminally under-liked and subscribed. Awesome job!

[@gregday3800]

This is fabulous

[@PilgrimsPass]

This is my jam. fantastic.

[@craniifer]

This is spectacular. I can only imagine you'd be the shining star at any filk circle.

[@christianfreedom-seeker934]

Mark! This is great! Can you do a version in Medieval French?

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Hello! Thanks! I only speak English and a little sign language so Medieval French is not exactly within my capabilities. I appreciate the enthusiasm though 🙏

[@ThatOneMan830]

This got Recommended to me and just holy shit this was AWESOME!

[@Cinedragon]

Very neat concept! Well done!

[@iosefiniosefin]

This is your best. I really love this song! 😄

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thanks! It's a hard one to beat 😂

[@devanshu885]

Beautiful

[@edoboleyn]

A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. ♥️

[@badpiggies988]

This beeth the sole righteous path!

[@PixelTheMushroom]

Oh my, this is beautiful.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thank you! What started as a meme has since become inspiration for so many more like it 😄

[@davidshaffer511]

Subscribed. This is brilliant.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Welcome, traveler!

[@kainech]

The dark side of the force is a pathway to styles of music that many would fund...unnatural :)

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

He was so powerful and so wise that he could even keep the ones he cared about... from country

[@warthog075]

:D 🎶

[@AchanCham_]

Incredible! Phenomenal lyrics, music, and execution!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thanks! That means a lot to hear 😄

[@kosatk120]

Good job, this one is the real earworm.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thanks! I find this song stuck in my head more often than I would like to admit 😂

[@FrostandFyre]

Oh wow! This is great

[@cenekromanowski3604]

Thank you for posting the chords, making it very easy to learn and play the song

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Sure thing! I always post useful musical information in the description in case anyone else wants to learn what I play, so I'm glad it's come in handy 😄

[@AraldoDelSole]

Nice song, the melody is pure fire

[@caledavid4174]

Very good adaptation! I liked the lyrics and the melody was catchy. You might want to check the audio mixing since it was a little bit out of balance at times and hard to hear your voice. Also, your theatrics and comstumes are fun so you should use more of those scenes! You don't need blurry images or AI art.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thank you for the feedback! This was my first go and making a ballad so I learned a lot of things I have since changed. I sort of threw it together over Thanksgiving so I'm surprised it's doing as well as it is 😂

[@messingmusic_and_animation]

I cannot believe I missed this! XD So hilarious and well done!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I was surprised too, It seemed right up your alley. I knew you'd make it here eventually though 😂

[@LawofImprobability-2]

This is a very fitting song.

[@St1cKnGoJuGgAlO]

Nice one bro

[@madarchmage1151]

I like this very much. Thank you

[@JohnBloggart]

Wow i was expecting this to be some old video the algorithm decided to dain me with but only two weeks old. Smells Fresh to me boys

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I'm just as surprised as you. Seeing as how I just kinda threw it together over Thanksgiving weekend 😂

[@davycrock0441]

Is it a possibility to learn thy power?

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Nay, lest it be from one other than the Jedi

[@macekreislahomes1690]

Not from a Hosplitar or Templar.

[@truesithempire9386]

😭😭 this is why i love the internet... This is just too fun and great 😭

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Glory to the Sith empire 💪

[@truesithempire9386]

​@@MarkTheMinstrel you will get the council seat for your work ..

[@ZeusAmun-pt9dc]

This is great

[@FallingPicturesProductions]

Is it possible to learn this ballad-crafting power?

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

As a matter of fact, it is. 1) learn several instruments. 2) pick a relevant meme with substance or a movie or something. 3) get a chord progression and melody you like 4) write some semi cheesy lyrics 5) throw it all together over the course of 2 weeks Badabing badaboom, ballad.

[@raemont1328]

This is genuinely Awesome

[@actualmessiah6970]

idk how i found this but shit man i love it

[@AF-tv6uf]

This was random in my feed too. Good job, algorithm!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Good to hear it's reaching the right people 😄

[@eki3281]

Well thats some awsome stuff here !

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Thanks! It was very fun to make 😄

[@rutabaga387]

Playing this for my infant so she doesn't have to hear mom sing "come out ye black and tans again"

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Raising them right 💪

[@fatherted776]

This shits more fire than last month's witch burning

[@CuteGallifreyian]

Ahh the Red Wizard of Thay, Plagueis the Wise. :P

[@servus_incognitus]

Subbed.

[@daleharvey1614]

This is most dope.

[@Ziddings]

banger 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@carloslacerda8888]

Sounded a lot more like a tragedy than Palpatine's version. Great ballad. Take some septims and play it again

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Many thanks 🙏 I tried to really emphasize the difference of Plagueis' full potential compared to what truly happened

[@carloslacerda8888]

@@MarkTheMinstrel a job well done, my fellow musician

[@FredzDimension]

Well done

[@MalachiCo0]

Good Minstrel, good heh heh heh

[@WishNarrator]

GOOoood

[@DarkFlibustier]

Good : )

[@Immopimmo]

All praise the almighty Algorithm! ❤

[@gwenfairholm8080]

And suddenly my next d&d character needs to be a bard

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Bard is my favorite class! Although I guess that's probably no surprise 😂

[@prestonjones1653]

SUBBED

[@h0rn3d_h1st0r1an]

What instrument did you use? it's so cool!

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Quite a few of them! If you scroll to the bottom of the description you can find every instrument I used in this video, as well as some other musical information for your viewing pleasure.

[@AscalonHauteclere]

Since Star Wars is now a Disney property, they should have a Star Wars Musical. This should be in it.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

That would be quite the honor 😄

[@nakenmil]

One mightest sayeth t'is similar to ironeye

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

It is indeed

[@Scribblebug]

10/10 🤩

[@christopheraaron1255]

Must be told would work there.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Yeah, I agree, lyrically that would make the most sense. I kinda made "stories that need to be told" my catchphrase though so I had to fit it in somewhere.

[@lionguardant5468]

Didst thee e'er hear ye Lamentable Tragedie of Darthe Plagueis ye Wyse?

[@AlexDiazGranados]

Nice, but it's "Born and bred in darkness." "Bread" just isn't the right word in this context. Otherwise, this is a fun, fine song.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

New head cannon: Plagueis was begotten from a loaf of bread in a poorly lit bakery. 🍞🥐🥖

[@denisl2760]

@@MarkTheMinstrel Reminds of American Pie

[@isuckatusernames4297]

damn, pretty good, I really like the rythim. only complaint would be the use of ai drawings.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Yeah, I agree. Someone recommended I try using AI for some background art to spice up my videos. I figured I'd give it a try but I'm not sure how I feel about it.

[@isuckatusernames4297]

@@MarkTheMinstrel for some shots it looks alright but for alot of the ither it's pretty blurry.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

For sure. I think I'll still use it for character portraits (like 2:19) and such but for the situational shots I might just try and make my own combo (like 2:50)

[@The-Autistic-Strategist]

Someone give this man a Time Machine! It would be awesome to see how Medieval people would react to this. Lol Too bad we don’t actually have that technology. (Though it’s probably a good thing. We’d probably cause a paradox, and accidentally erase Star Wars. And that’s a time line I feel sorry for)

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

I would probably be burned as a fortune teller. They might be scared of my knowledge of future events 😂. You've given me quite the thought experiment with this one! thank you, traveler.

[@strocau]

Ironic!

[@MissionSilo]

No sith lord bard. That would be interesting.

[@fly_speck_cafe]

Varlet thou never wert. 👍

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Yey indeed 😂

[@aubs400]

To make it truly authentic, give Middle English a go!

[@williamanderson3673]

Ironic...

[@andrewspears8891]

The only issue is that Darth Plagueis didn't live nearly that long. He had something much closer to a normal lifespan.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Yeah, I exaggerated a bit for the song. According to wookieepedia, Plagueis and Sidious _planned_ to combine their power and "rule immortal for ten thousand years" but Sidious ended up killing Plagueis. I liked the tragic loss of someone who _should have_ lived for 10,000 years ended up dying in a single night. So the lyrics "ruler of 10,000 years" and "the one who lived forever" are referring to his potential. A lyric like "the one who _could have_ lived forever" just didn't have the same epic ring to it. Hopefully this makes more sense.

[@jacobcarter6332]

I mean it is a ballad lets be fair, he's going to tell a tall tale.

[@sashafrolkov5524]

I rolled a six

[@DM_Curtis]

Ironic.

[@l3momsshark]

Have you heard the tale of Darth Plagius the wise? No? It is not a tale The Round Table would tell you

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

...Tis a Ye Olde legend

[@dylanking9738]

Who’s here after the Acolyte finale

[@nomisbman1826]

the AI is goofy sometimes

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

For sure. I stopped using it after this video. This whole song was a big experiment for me.

[@Pedro8k]

Great talent the thing that always spoils a medieval persona or look is wearing modern glasses a watch or very dodgy mock medieval costume

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Yeah, I agree. Historical accuracy is a restriction I've yet to place upon myself. while we're at it, I'm also playing several instruments that weren't invented until the 1800s. I do appreciate the feedback🙏.

[@mazerumaze]

The song is great, but I'd rather watch a footage of you playing instead of the cringe generated images floating through the background tbh...

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Noted, thank you for the feedback 🙏. I plan to use no AI in the future and I will include more playing next time.

[@OliveMule]

This is bardcore

[@kylelindberg7771]

Nice song, although I find the AI art annoying.

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

Yeah I agree. This song was an experiment from which I learned AI isn't something I can really rely on.

[@taxidermydriver]

whats with the awful ai art, couldnt even make it through the video because of it

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

It was an experiment. Needless to say it's not something I use anymore. If you check out my newer content I now use either video from the source material or still images I edit and arrange myself.

[@taxidermydriver]

@@MarkTheMinstrel i see, thanks for answering. im sorry if i was harsh, i really liked the parts of the song i listened to but the bad images really dragged down the video for me

[@MarkTheMinstrel]

No hard feelings 🙏 your comment was tame compared to some I've gotten 😂. I appreciate all feedback, so thank you for voicing your opinion!