Sorting Hat song, written for Project Legilimensia

sorting-hat.txt

I may not look like much to you,
but looks can be deceiving.
I'll tell you soon what colors
you will surely be receiving.
 
For that's the power granted me
so many years ago,
when the founders gave me everything
I'd ever need to know.
 
Their names are famous even now,
though many years have passed.
They never knew to what extent
their legacy would last.
 
They came together long ago,
to teach what they had learned
to a younger generation,
who would pass it on, in turn.
 
Thus Hogwarts School was founded
by a foursome tried and true,
but each admired specific traits,
the best of all they knew.
 
The first was Godric Gryffindor,
who wore me at the time.
He valued those with bravery,
held gallantry sublime.
 
And also Helga Hufflepuff,
hard-working to the core;
She knew determination
should be valued all the more.
 
Then young Rowena Ravenclaw
brought brilliance to the mix.
She felt cleverness and wisdom
were worth more than simple tricks.
 
And Salazar of Slytherin
knew just what he would need.
He said, "those with great ambition
have the focus to succeed."
 
There was a time when they themselves
would sort incoming students,
but there would come a day
when that no longer would be prudent.
 
So, my owner took me off his head
and asked his fellow friends
to give me means to make the choice,
once they had met their ends.
 
A thousand years have come and gone
since that became the way,
but changes wrought in recent years
have brought you here today.
 
No longer will the British Isles
be Hogwarts' only home;
we're open now for one and all,
from Calgary to Rome.
 
So if you're brave, hard-working,
or have brains or great ambition,
all students from around the world
can now receive admission.
 
However, I should warn you now,
though cause we have to grin,
I sense a danger here without
and maybe too within.
 
I've seen too many evils here
in all my many years
to think that I should dare
ignore my deepest, darkest fears.
 
My purpose here is to divide,
but please make no mistake.
There is never any reason
you should ever think to break
 
The unity that held this school
together all this time.
For if you do, I fear next year
that none will hear my rhyme.
 
To all of you, together now,
at this, the start of term,
I beg that you remain as one
and keep this promise firm:
 
That through the year you'll hold
your bonds of friendship strong and true
and help your fellow students,
for they may be helping you.
 
I feel that I have said my peace
and warned of what is looming.
And after much ado,
my song I now will be resuming.
 
You'll one by one approach me now
and place me on your head.
Then sit and let me pick your brain
until your house is said.
 
So, when your name is called
there will be cause for celebration,
as you find your place within this Hall,
upon my declaration!