Professional Documents
Culture Documents
AIR FALALALO
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#2
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A LESSON
-Anonymous
The wench then did as she was bid and served a dinner fine
The minstrel ate and then he called for a flagon full of wine
Ans while he drained the flagon full he called the wench divine
And as in answer to his prayers the wench brought him more wine
The minstrel drank his wine more ribald grew his songs
The wench did leave the minstrels side...but not for very long!
Coming back she brought more wine, how could she do wrong?
If the minstrel matched his songs he was very, very strong!
The hour grew late and still the minstrel did not seem to tire
All his songs had done to her was stoke her passion higher!
And at last the room was full and dying was the fire
"Four o'clock and alls well" sang the town's crier
Then she led him to a room that had been set aside
Wondering about his sudden needing of a guide
Thinking about all the wine which he had imbibed
Ardently she hoped the songs about him hadn't lied
The wench did turn her back to him and closed the chamber door
The minstrel then did fall in bed and he began to snore
To herself she said as she looked for wine to pour
"To this man I should have served less wine instead of more.."
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#3
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ALWAYS A HERALD
-Silverwolf Moonshadow
(Tune: "Always a Woman," by Billy Joel)
<Chorus>
Oh, he takes care of your name
It can wait if he wants
He is always behind
And he never gives out
He just keeps taking in
And gets further behind
<Chorus>
<Chorus>
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#4
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When you meet a folk (filk) singer, you haven't much choice
But to sit there and listen while they prove they have no voice
And the shockingest thing to imagine by far
Is a girl with a G-string....upon her guitar! (3)
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#9
One fateful day came Viking raiders, like a dark wave on the coast.
The abbey was unable to repel the Norsemen's host.
Bunstable was in the cellar, heard them slaughter young and old.
And though trembling with fear, he knew to do as he'd been told.
The cellar door it had been locked, but the Vikings would break through
So grimly looking round, he knew exactly what to do.
He broke open each and every cask, he did not think of flight.
And when the deed was done, he'd drunk every drop in sight.
When the Vikings came downstairs, they were somewhat less than pleased
That Bunstable had drunk the wine, there was none to be siezed.
They threatened Bunstable with flame, but when fire met his breath,
There was a great explosion, and they all burned to death.
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#10
He promised me the aye best horse that iver I set my een upon
But when I gat t'his barnyard, there's naethin' there but skin and bone
The auld black horse sat on her rump, th' auld grey mare sat on her wime
And fer all I'd whup an' crack, they wouldna rise at yokin' time
When I gang doon tae Kirk on Sunday, many's th' bonny lass I see
Sittin' by her father's side, winkin' o'er th' pews at me!
He promised me the aye best hoor that iver I set my een upon
But when I gat t'his barnyard, t'was naethin' there but skin-and-bone!
The auld black hoor sat on her rump, th' auld grey mare sat on her wime
And fer all I'd whup an' crack, I couldna rise at yokin' time!
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#11
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BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS
-David Grossman
copyright 1983 David Grossman
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#13
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BERSERK RAG
(written A.S.IV)
-Anonymous
(Tune: "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag")
I just read in my TI
That we should all prepare to die
For you must fight within the lists
As though there's steel within your fist
When you get out there to fight, you swing with all your might!
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#14
BOLD MARAUDER
-Richard Farina
(c) copyright 1967 Music Publishers Holding Corp.
For I will buy you silver and gold and I will bring you treasure
And I will bring a widowing flag and I will be your lover
And I will show you grotto and cave and sacrificial altar
And I will show you blood on the stone and I will be your mentor
And night will be our darling and fear will be our name
For I will take you out by the hand and lead you to the hunter
And I will show you thunder and steel and I will be your teacher
And we will dress in helmet and sword, and dip our tongues in slaughter
And we will sing a warrior's song and lift the praise of murder
And Christ will be our darling and fear will be our name
For I will sour the winds on high and I will soil the rivers
And I will burn the grain in the fields and I will be your mother
And I will go to ravage and kill and I will go to plunder
And I will take a Fury to wife and I will be your father
And Death will be our darling and fear will be our name
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#15
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BONNIE DUNDEE
-Sir Walter Scott
Then awa' tae the hills, tae the lea, tae the rock,
Ere I own a usurper, I'll crouch with the fox!
And tremble, false Whigs, in the midst of your glee:
Ye hae no seen the last o' my bonnets....and me!
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(repeat verse 1)
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#16
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#17
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#19
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#20
And now you stand before me your father's flesh and blood
Begotten of my sinews on the woman that I loved
So difficult the birthing, the mother died that day
And now you stand before me to take my crown away
The hour is fast approaching when you come into your own
When you take the ring and scepter and sit upon your throne
Before that fatal hour when we each must meet our fate
Pray gaze upon the royal crown and marvel at its weight
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#21
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CAIDAN LADIES
-Kaarna of the Amethyst
Lady cavaliers wear diamonds, and daggers have they none \\oh, yeah?\\
Tho her lord may wield a rapier, her weapon is her tounge!
CHORUS: Hit the field a-runnin' lads, and swing those blades around!
We're gonna fight the Middle, 'cause the Middle let us down!
We're gonna fight the Middle 'cause the Middle wants us not
We're gonna fight the Middle 'cause they left us here to rot!
CHORUS: But the Celt came back, the very next day!
They thought he was a goner, but the Celt came back
He just wouldn't stay away!
The local Baron said that he would shoot that Celt on sight
So he loaded up his cannon with powder to the sight
He waited and he waited for that bard to come around
Itty-bitty pieces of the castle's all they found....
CHORUS: But the Celts came back the very next day
Thought that they were goners, but the Celts came back
They just couldn't stay away!
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#23
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CHILDREN OF DARKNESS
-Richard Farina
(c) copyright 1967 M. Witmark & Sons
Now is the time for your loving, dear, and time for your company.
Now that the light of reason fails, and fires burn on the sea;
Now in this age of confusion I have need of your company.
For I am a wild and lonely child, and the son of an angry man;
And now, with the high wars raging, I would offer you my hand!
For we are the children of darkness and the prey of a grim command.
And where was the will of my father when he raised his sword on high?
And where was my mother's wailing when our flags were justified?
And where will we take our pleasure when our bodies have been denied?
Now is the time for your loving, dear, and time for your company.
Now that the light of reason fails, and fires burn on the sea;
Now in this age of confusion I have need of your company.
I saw her today when she walked with her new love
In all the fine places that we'd walked before
They kissed by the rocks where she told me she loved me
And soon she'll be using those same words once more
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#24
CHIVALRY
-Morgana bro Morganwyg
(Tune: "Lemon Tree")
CHORUS: Chivalry, very pretty, and the ladies they are sweet
But they find that the Mongols are impossible to beat!
They had to bear me from the field for I could hardly see
But I could hear my lady wooing belted Chivalry!
So if I ever love again, I know that you will see
A girl who wants a Mongol love, not belted Chivalry!
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#25
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Two hours came and went, Well folks, that finally did it,
But no pizza did appear. The knights stood up to a man.
That's when we got to wondering They decided to go into town
Just what did go on here. Their weapons well in hand.
A phone call to the restaurant The pizza shop they'd ransack,
Assured us all was well, And the blood would freely flow.
But 'twould be another half hour Well they retrieved our dinner,
Ere the pizza we would smell. But just how, I do not know.
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#26
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#27
CRUSADER'S SONG
-Conn MacNeil
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#28
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"Well, I will give you silver, and I will give you gold,
And my own chosen Queen each of you in turn will be,
If you dance alongside of the Mongol enemy,
And you turn them from the Inland, Inland....&c"
Then she let drop her cloak, and in dancer's garb stood she,
And she said to the Warlord, "All that you can see,
And that which you cannot, I would freely give to thee,
If you overlook the Northwoods Barony
As you march along the Inland Sea!"
"Dear dancer and dear King," said the Warlord, full of glee,
"Did you think that you could work your ploys on such as we?
By your own rules, we return treachery for treachery!
And you never will be rid of fools like me,
If you try to deal in treachery!"
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#30
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Now you have such good taste in your women for sure,
They always are pretty, they always are pure.
But your notion of dining, it makes us all flinch,
For your favorite entree is barbecued wench.
CHORUS
CHORUS
#32
A DRAGON'S RETORT
(C) 1985 by Claire Stephens
(Tune: "Irish Washerwoman")
CHORUS: Yes, virgins taste better than those who are not
But my favorite snack food with peril is fraught
For my teeth will decay and my trim go to pot
Yes, virgins taste better than those who are not
CHORUS
CHORUS
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#33
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DUCAL ESCALATION
-Thorfinn Halfblind
(Tune: "Who's Next" by Tom Leher)
Who's Next?
Who's Next?
Who's Next?
Who's Next?
Who's Next?
Who's Next?
Who's NEXT?!?
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#34
THE ENGLISH DRINKING SONG
-Arven and Valerice Atwater
(Tune: "Good Christian Men Rejoice")
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#36
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This is probably -the- classic pirate song. It has many variants, but
this set of words is the best I have ever seen. The tune is -creepy!-
FOLLOW ME UP TO CARLOW
-Patrick J. McCall ca. 1890
Melody dates from pre-1500's
Lift Mac Cahir Og your face, brooding o'er the old disgrace
That black FitzWilliam stormed your place, and drove you to the Fern
Grey said victory was sure, soon the firebrand he'd secure
Until he met at Glenmalure: Feach Mac Hugh O'Byrne!
CHORUS: Curse and swear, Lord Kildare! Feach will do what Feagh will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care! Fallen is your star, low!
Up with halberd, out with sword! On we go, for by the Lord,
Feach Mac Hugh has given his word: "Follow me up to Carlow!"
See the swords of Glen Imayle, flashing o'er the English Pale!
See all the children of the Gael beneath O'Byrne's banners!
Rooster of the fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock? Fly up and teach him manners!
FORSOOTHLY
-Zenobia Napthali and Wulfgifu Wadylove of Wokyhole
(Tune: "Sue Me" (from "Guys And Dolls")
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#39
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There's a braw fine clan o' lads as ilka man should ken
They are de'ils at the fichtin, they hae clured a sicht o' men
They hae suppit muckle whiskey when to ceildh theu gang ben
The heilan men of braw Glenwhorple.
They were founded by McAdam who of all the men was first
He resided in Glen Eden and he pipit fit tae burst
Wi' a fig-leaf for a sporran and a perfect Heilan' thirst
Till he stole away the apple from Glenwhorple
When the waters o' the deluge drookit all the whole world o'er
The chieftain of the clan y'know his name was Sean McNoah
So a muckle boat he biggit and he sneckit up the door
And he sailed away from drooned Glenwhorple
O there was a birkie bangster was the ruler o'er the clan
Well his name it was t'Wallace and he was a fichtin' man
And he went about the border and the Southron turned and ran
From the dingin' of the claymore in Glenwhorple
Many o' the clansmen went and left their heilan' home
They loaded up on ships, aboot the world t'roam
They were lookin' for a special place to call their very own
That's how Ealdormere became Glenwhorple
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#41
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INTRO: For the last thousand years or so, the Irish and the Scots have
been fighting like sailors over which one of them first discovered how
to make whiskey (which is a word which comes from the old language of
the Celtic Gauls... "uisce batha", the water of life). However, the
truth that's been shrouded in secrecy all this time is that it was
originally invented by the Welsh and given to both the Irish and the
Scots to keep them where they belonged.
Now, the story I'm about to tell was recently borrowed and made
popular by the mundane artist Jimmy Buffet, who claims that he stole it
from the late great Lord Richard Buckley... and then he even goes on to
cast doubts as to whether Lord Buckley even wrote it himself.
Here is the story in its original form. It describes how the Scots
learned to make whiskey for themselves, and it's called "God's Own
Drunk".
Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not very much of
a drinking man.
Because, I started drinking in a tavern in Cardiff on a Friday night
and when I awoke on a Tuesday hanging in a tree somewhere near Dublin,
and with my knees shaking and my teeth clattering I swore I would never
do it again.
But, I promised my brother Ian that I would watch his still for him
whilst he went into town to drive out the Saxons... again.
And, it was right up there on the side of Mount Snowdon where the map
said it would be, and let me tell you, lords and ladies, that this was
no ordinary still
It sat up there on the mountain gleaming like a golden opal.
God's little lanterns were twinkling on and off in the heavens.
God's yellow moon was shining down on the cool clear evening.
And, I'll say it again, I'm not very much of a drinking man...
But, pretty soon.... this feeling come over me.... temptation got the
best of me and I took a slash.
And that Mount Snowdon whiskey going down my throat felt like
honeydew vine water and I took another slash.
Then, I took another.... and another, and another and pretty soon I
had drank a whole jug of that whiskey and commenced to getting hot
flashes. Goosepimples all running up and down my body.
A feeling come over me. A feeling like I had never known before. It
was like I was in love. For the nine hundred and ninety-ninth time....
that day. With anything that moved. Animate, inanimate, animal, mineral,
vegetable, it didn't matter.
(more)
#42
God's Own Drunk (cont.)
There was a great sign in the heavens that said, Lloyd.... Lloyd ap
Taliesin y Felinfoel you bloody fool.... there is a great day coming....
Because I was drunk.
Now, I wasn't just knee-crawling, privy-hugging, tree-climbing drunk.
No.... I was God's own drunk and a fearless man.
And that was when I think I first saw the Scot (do these things only
seem to happen to you when you're drunk, or what?)
He was a big, tall, Stuart-looking sodomite about thirty-six hands
tall at the shoulders and he came a rambling up from the direction of
Offa's Dyke expecting me to do one of two things: either flip or fly.
And, when I didn't do either one, it hung him up.
Then, he came in a little closer, expecting to smell some fear. Of
course, he wasn't going to smell any fear because I was God's own drunk
and a fearless man.... and a Welshman on top of that. It hung him up.
Until he ate my hat just to show me that he was a cold-blooded
killer.
And I had just stolen that hat from a Saxon merchant not half a
fortnight before and I was really put out. (Thing must have been worth
at least twenty crowns....)
But then he could see that my eyes were a lot redder than his were
and it hung him up.
So I said to him, "My lord..." That very respectful way that you say
"my lord"....
Like when you're in the princess's bedchambers and you're feeling
pretty confident because when you came in you had three bottles of wine,
two of which are now empty, the last has only got this much left in it,
and it doesn't look like the flagon of whiskey that you brought just in
case will even be necessary.
Two of his Highness's best guards are out on the balcony with nasty
lumps on the sides of their heads which should keep them asleep until
after the morn.
Her Highness's clothing is strewn all about the bedchambers as if a
gale had passed through, and the pillows are down around the foot of the
bed.... (Don't ask -- she's a saxon, isn't she?)
And the prince, whom you're sure is going to be in London for another
three full days.... comes through the bloody door.
"My lord! Ah, your Highness, how was your journey? Good to see you
back early...."
And then he leans a bit on you and you say, "Please don't give me to
the Captain of the Guard because when my wife finds out about this you
won't have anything left of me to execute."
"I only came in here because her Highness wanted to use me as a model
for a doublet she sewing for you, and the very next thing I knew my
teeth were caught on the front of her bodice, and I can see that I'm in
trouble now.... I've got a flagon of good whiskey here."
"My lord, I love every hair on your fifty-five acre Highlander back.
"And I know that you've got a lot of friends over there on the other
side of Culloden Moor.... Gregories and Ross and Stuarts and Kennedys
and MacArthurs, MacLarens, MacLelans, MacLeans, MacLeods, MacIntosh...
IBM...Mack Trucks, MacAnical, even two or three sheepish MacChluarains
in there somewhere........
"And I want you to go back there tonight and tell them that I'm
feeling right.
"And that I love each and every one of them as much as my own
brothers and sisters.... especially your sisters.
(more)
#43
God's Own Drunk (cont.)
[At this point, my friend Josh (who played the guitar for me whilst I
did this) would change key and start playing Scotland the Brave (he
is a Scot) and humming the tune in a nasal voice for effect all the
way through the following paragraph except for the last four words.]
Now the highland dance is quite simple. You have to turn to the left,
kick with the right, turn to the right, kick to the left, spin all the
way round, slip, fall down, snort, twist, grunt, break your nose, it was
so simple, like the Caidan measure, that it completely evaded me.
And after about an hour of this nonsense we had worked ourselves up
into a tumultuous uproar, after which I laid myself down for some
tremulous dreams. (I think the Queen of the West was in one of them...
great big Norman breasts.)
And when I woke up. (I didn't want to wake up.... I was.... trapped
in a Spanish convent.) When I woke up....
God's little lanterns were still twinkling on and off in the heavens.
God's yellow moon was still shining down on the cool clear evening.
I looked around, and.... no one to be found.
It seemed that my brother the Scot, was missing.
And, you know what else, lords and ladies....
So was the still.
(Bring down the twelve-bar talking blues riff to signal the end of the
story. `Cause for some reason, without it, no one seems to know when
you've finished...)
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#44
GOLDEN, GOLDEN
-Andy Stewart
G Bm C G
Slowly, slowly, walk the path,
G Em Am7 D7
And you might never stumble or fall
G Bm C G
Slowly, slowly walk the path,
G Am7 D7 G
And you might never fall in love at all
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#45
We'd been five years at sea when the scurvy got bad
And the ship lost her way in the fog
And that hell-raisin' crew was reduced down to two
It was me and the Captain's old dog (BIG dog!)
Then the ship struck a rock, a hellacious BIG rock,
and she almost tumbled over,
And when I looked around...the poor old dog was drowned...
I'm the last of the Great Norse Rover!
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#46
GREENSLEEVES II
-Anonymous
***** - 1st: days, 2nd: weeks, 3rd: months, 4th: years, 5th: centuries
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#47
"Such candor," this young lordling cried, "must touch upon dishonor!"
The dragon grinned his lecherous grin and once more was upon her
"Cease and desist!" Sir Loren cried, his fine steel blade a flashing
"O slay him not," young Gilda cried, her voice a play of passion
"Was ever a maid so tried as I betwixt desire and honor?
I should demand you slay the beast but he stirs in me such ardor!"
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#48
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#49
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#50
HENRY
-Bertram of Bearington
(Tune: "The First Noel")
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#51
But with evening come and classes close and midnight candles burnt,
I would lie in bed and hearken back to all that I had learnt.
And as I lay near slumber's door beneath the candle's gleam
An eerie vision came to me appearing in a dream.
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#52
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And now the storm is raging and we are far from shore
The poor old ship is tossing about and the rigging is all torn
And the secret of my mind my love, you're the girl I do adore
And still I live in hopes to see the holy ground once more!
And now the storm is over and we are safe and well
We'll go into a public house and sit and drink our fill
We will drink strong ale and porter, and we'll make the rafters roar
And when our money is all spent we will go to sea once more!
Oh, Mary, mild eyed Mary The face with kindness glowin'
By land or on the sea, The face that hides no guile
Though time and tide may vary, The light grace of thy goin'
My heart beats true to thee! The witchcraft of thy smile!
With thy fair face before me Mine eyes that never vary
How sweetly flew the hour From pointin' tae the glen
When all thy beauty o'er me Where blooms my Highland Mary
Came streamin' in its' power! Like wild rose 'neath the ben
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#53
I AM A DANE
-Gwyneth Espicier
(Tune: "I Am A Rock")
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#54
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Oh.....
spoken: Whoops!
spoken: Wait a minute! Wait a minute! No, no, you are not singing!
Perhaps you do not -like- to sing?
No?
You have relatives in East Lansing, Michigan, perhaps?
You will sing!
sung: Sing the 'I am not a ninja polka!' WATSU!
spoken: I dunno, whatsu with you?
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#56
You can be fed in the SCA Lots of new Kingdoms with more space
You can be dead in the SCA Lots of swords smashing in your face
All is co-ed in the SCA Our fighter are always the best
Twelve to a bed in the SCA? Kicking the s*** out of the West!
Life can be bright in the SCA Here you can make many wise cracks
If you can fight in the SCA Long as you do pay your pun-tax
Everything's right in the SCA Everyone here dresses formal
If you're a knight in the SCA! Whether they're tall or they're normal!
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#57
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#58
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#60
CHORUS: And wi' you, and wi' you, and wi' you my Jenny lass
I'll dance the buckles off my shoes wi' you my Jenny lass!
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#61
JOHNNY MC ELDOO
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#62
KILLIECRANKIE
27 July, 1689
The bold Pictur fell in a furr, It's nae shame, it's nae shame,
And Clavers got a clankie-o, It's nae shame t'shank ye-o
Or had I fed an Atholl gled, There's sour slaes on Atholl braes,
On the braes of Killiecrankie-o! And the De'il at Killiecrankie-o!
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#63
I've got old armour, handed down.. It spent 2 years on the ground.
The old gambeson's all torn up.....Oh lord did I wear my cup?
They said, lead the charge....that`s for me. In the fray, I killed a tree.
I'm the, guy they call cannon fodder.....King of the Spode.
BRIDGE:
I know ev-ery mud hole on ev-e-ry field.
When I'm carried off on a shield.
And every fighter that knocked me down..
and every chi-ur-geon for miles around....
Well I've got armour for sale or rent. Dented helm, 20 pence.
No mace, no sword, no shield...they`re broken out on the field.
I spent 2 hours in the first aid tent. Walking slow and rather bent.
I'm the guy, they call cannon fodder....King of the Spode
I'm the guy, they call cannon fodder, King of the Spode.
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#64
CHORUS: Bang, bang, Kirby's iron hammer came down upon the sword!
Clang, clang, Kirby's iron hammer made sure that it was forged!
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#65
For the great Gaels of Ireland are the men the gods made mad
For all their wars are merry and all their songs are sad
For the great Gaels of Ireland are the men the gods made mad
For all their wars are merry and all their songs are sad
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#67
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On Beltane eve he hied him on, the sun was sinking low
To Kent he rode upon such whims as ye may never know
The finest mail upon his back, a seasoned fighting man
He chanced upon a stream there crossed *by a narrow span*
Upon that bridge there stood a boy who blocked the great knight's way
In wonderment this errant knight heard what this lad did say
"Go back Sir knight, seek other ways, wherever they may lie
Thou may not pass, and if thou try me,*thou wilt surely die"*
"Oh churlish knave," the knight replied, "thy life I would not have
And I will spare thee, foolish boy, for thou art passing brave
A squire I would make of thee, to take up sword and shield
But an thou will not, say thy prayers, for *you must die or yield*"
"I serve no man, the rogue called back, I am and will stay free
But know, good knight, that ne'er a soul has had the best o' me
To serve the Lady of this wood is my thought and deed
This stout long bow and but one shaft is *all that I shall need*"
The knave was gone but not his shaft, that he had left behind
And yet his parting words remained still in the good knight's mind
"I have bested thee, Sir knight, and killed thee right and clean
Remember, when thou cast thine eyes *upon King Arthur's queen"*
No other knight in all the land could match him on the field
No stronger arm throughout the realm a great broadsword did wield
Against a stripling's clothyard shaft, his arms availed him not
An arrow loosed from Eros' bow *had felled Sir Lancelot*
Stap we gaily, on we go, heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and roe on roe, all for Marie's Wedding!
Red her cheeks as rowans are, brighter far than any star,
Fairest o' them a', by far, is m'darlin' Marie!
LIVELY LASS
-Sumer Redmane
(Tune: "Gypsy Rover"
LOCAL S.C.A.
(Tune: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen")
These men aren't wearing dresses, sir, Those are not pantyhose.
No, those are tights and tunics, sir, They are medieval clothes.
And men were really macho then, As everybody knows,
So please do not look upon us that way, that way.
For we are your local S C A.
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#70
LOCH LOMOND
-Traditional
CHORUS: Oh, you take the high road, and I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland before you
And me and my true love won't ever meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
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#71
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#72
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CHORUS And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little squire boy and the man in the moon.
When you coming here, Sir? I don't know when
But we'll get together then, squire,
You know we'll have a good fight then.
CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
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#73
But the woman and man chose to break from the dance,
To stumble on the path of error and mischance.
In sorrow I exiled them outside my garden wall
But never outside my love and my call.
(slower and slower with the first verse; no chorus between verses;
speed up with the second verse.)
But the dance was not done, for I did not stay dead
For sinless, I could harrow Hell instead.
All penalty paid for the souls held in thrall,
Come be free, dance with me, for my dance is for ALL!
*
#74
LOVER'S HEART
-Andy Stewart
Phil Cunningham
recorded by Silly Wizard
"A Glint of Silver"
copyright 1986 Bracken Music Services
C G C Am
Last night we spoke of love
C Am Dm E
Now we're forced to part
Am G C Am
You leave to the sound of a marching drum
Dm7 G7 C
And the beat of a lover's heart
She was by the shore in the evening when next I saw my dear
Running barefoot by the water side, she called as I drew near
The sunlight glanced at the water's edge making fire of her auburn hair
My young heart danced at her parting words that hung in the evening air
(chorus)
She was on the Strand next morning when orders came to sail
And as we slipped our ropes away I watched her from the rail
She threw me a rose, which fell between us, and floated on the Bay
And as our ship pulled from the shore, I heard her call and say
(chorus)
Now the soldier's life won't suit me, sweet music is my trade
For I'd rather melt the hardest heart than pierce it with a blade
Let the time be short till I return to my home in the mountains high
And the loving girl who stole my heart with these words as I passed by
(chorus)
*
#75
*
#76
MANYURA, MANYAH!
-Matt McGinn
copyright 1964 Matt McGinn
Noo I've heard men complain of the jobs they are dain,
When they're hawking the coal, or diggin' the drain.
But whatever they are, there is none that compar'
Wi' manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!
*
#77
MEDIEVAL SENESHAL
Or: I Am the Very Model of a Medieval Seneschal
-William Blackfox
(Tune: "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General")
*
#78
MEN OF REISLING
-Amanda of Cawdor
(Tune: "men Of Harlech")
*
#79
*
#80
MERCENARY'S SONG
-Flieg, Nicorlynn & Steerbjorg
(Tune: "Greenback Dollar")
*
#82
NO SHIELD
-Shayera Maren MacLaen of the Fair Mount
(Tune: "You Picked A Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille")
*
#83
O'DONNELL ABU
(The Clan Connell War Song)
M.J.McAnn cir. 1843
*
#84
OUR PETS
-Jane Louise Lake and Elise
(To the tune of "Our House", Crosby Stills & Nash)
Our pets
are very very very fine pets
when lovingly sauteed
or in a light souffle
please pass the angelfish fillet to me
And now
yum yum, yum yum yum yum, yum, (etc. to fill)
Our pets
are very very very fine pets (very fine pets)
when barbecued or baked
I love chameleon steak
A turtle boil or bunny cake
for you
And now
I'll light the cat
while you place the gerbils
and the cute little duckies in
the stew-ew-ew-ew-ew....
*
#85
*
Where has all the gold loot gone, long time passing
Where has all the gold loot gone, long time ago
Where has all the gold loot gone, gone to gold rings, everyone
When will they ever learn? Plunder before you burn!
*
#86
*
#87
THE QUEEN OF FAERIE'S FEE
-Li Kung Lo
(c) copyright 1985 Richard Munroe
Though untied to the land you are, I'll love you well, quoth she
But my lord must never know, for a jealous lord is he
They made their tryst, but not alone, for their meeting had been seen
Too full of love were they to hear the laugh of the faerie queen
She saw these lovers lying so, and an angry queen was she
For woodland night is faerie's realm, and love is never free
The queen came forth, her eyes afire, enraptured both were they
She kissed them both upon the brow, just e're the break of day
They did not stir when daylight came, touched by the morning dew
For she was a weeping willow, and he a stately yew
And these two trees can still be seen,with their limbs entwined just so
And this song can still be heard at the point of Tupelo
RAMBLIN' ROVER
-Andy Stewart
copyright (date unk.) Strathmore Music & Film Services
I've roamed thru all the nations, ta'en delight in all creation
And I've tried a wee sensation where the company did prove kind
And when parting was no pleasure, I've drunk another measure
To the good friends that we treasure for they always are in our minds
(NB: verse 3 author unknown: collected from Tom and Marie Teven)
(NB: verse 4 author unknown: collected from Stephen Whitis)
*
#89
*
*
#91
SCOTLAND'S DEPRAVED
-Bertram of Bearington
(Tune: "There Were Three Bonnie Lassies, Came from the Isle of Wight")
(nb: "Wearin' O' the Green" works, too)
The first contest was golfing, in which the lord did fine.
He killed a dozen hedgehogs while shooting the back nine.
He double-bogied every hole, his ball went wide and far,
But when they counted hedgehogs, they found he'd broken par!
The next trial was sword dancing - with bare feet & bare sword,
And in this painful trial, he proved a mighty lord.
"Good brothers I don't understand - you said this would be hard!
They made me wear my armor when I learned to galliard!"
The fourth contest was drinking, the knight showed them his stuff.
He chug-a-lugged from six more jugs when they had cried, "Enough!"
He planned to take the excess home, he put it in a pail...
"It makes a welcome change," he said, "from luke-warm English ale!"
The fifth and final contest, this valiant knight was told,
Was to eat a hag-gis [pause] while it was still COLD!
The knight he ate a score of them, he said "Good friends come here.
I'll have another score, but - this time with Worcestershire!"
When the trials were over, her kin said "Sister dear,
Though he has won the contest, you may not wed, we fear.
For when we were out golfing, he proved his mind's unsound.
The man, he must be crazy, he loaned me half a crown!"
(1) Scotland it is the land, please (2) Baa baa baa baa baa baa baa
For lusty lairds and lassies, Baa baa baa baa baa baa baa
Though England may be moral Though England may be moral
SCOTLAND'S DEPRAVED! SCOTLAND'S DEPRAVED!
Hark when the night is fallin', hear, hear the pipes a-callin'
Loudly and proudly callin' down thru the glen
There where the hills are sleepin', now feel the blood a-leapin'
High as the spirits of the old highland men!
Towering in gallant fame, Scotland the mountain hame!
High may your proud standards gloriously wave!
Land of the high endeavour, land of the shining river,
Land of my heart, forever, Scotland the brave!
SOMEBODY'S MOGGY
-Eric Bogle
*
#95
So when I untied the rope, of course, the barrel fell like lead.
And clinging tightly to the rope, I started up instead.
I shot up like an arrow, and to my dismay I found,
That halfway up, I met the bloody barrel coming down.
Now when the bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor,
I then outweighed the barrel, so I started down once more.
Still clinging tightly to the rope, I raced towards the ground.
And I landed on those broken bricks that lay scattered all around.
While, as I lay there moaning, I thought sure I'd passed the worst,
But when the barrel hit the top, 'twas then the bottom burst.
A shower of bricks rained down on me, I didn't have a hope,
And in the great confusion, I let go the bloody rope.
Well, the barrel now was heavier, and it started down once more.
And it landed right on top of me, as I lay there on the floor.
It broke three ribs, and my left arm, and I can only say,
I hope you understand why I'm not on the wall, today.
*
#96
SOMEBODY'S MOGGY-LAND
(CHORUS)
(CHORUS)
*
#97
*
Oh they sleep with their ponies and they very seldom wash
Oh they sleep with their ponies and they very seldom wash
And they drink fermented mare's milk and they very often slosh
And we'll know they are Mongols by their smell, by their smell
Yes, We'll know they are Mongols by their smell
They keep pigs in the kitchen and they eat with their knives
And they take their entertainment in the sleaziest of dives
And we'll know by their manners they are Huns.....etc.
They ferment all their shamrocks and they make some Rivengut
And if you take a real BIG drink, you'll wind up on your butt
And we'll know they are Celtics by their booze....etc.
Oh they leap upon the ladies and they very often miss
And when ladies faint from their bad breath they think it is their kiss
And the Cavaliers all think that they're Don Juan...etc.
(more)
#98
Oh they walk thru the doorway and they tell to you their names
And the folk say "Gesundheit!" and it's always the same
No one else can pronounce it so they make it all a game
And we'll know they are Welshmen by their speech...etc.
Oh they write songs and lyrics, and they write epics, too
And when seen, it's made wholly of "l"s and "y"s and "woos"
And we'll know they are Welshmen by their speech...etc.
Oh they drink their bloody malmsey and their wine and ale all day
If they invite you to dinner, take a hike and run away!
And we'll know they are English by their food....etc.
Oh you'll never be a Laurel till you're old and fat and sour
And you have to change your costume every hour on the hour
And we'll know they are Caidans by their clothes....etc.
*
*
#99
CHORUS: Beware, beware the Mongol Horde, the Mongol Horde, the Mongol Horde!
Beware, beware the Mongol Horde, the folks of the Western Irgun!
*
#100
Have you seen him by the HordeGate? He's been peering thru the hanna
He's a lost and lonely cha'gua, is he not an awful sight?
In love he was the most true, now he's scaring our k'shaktu
If he'd only asked the TarKahn, well I'm sure she'd set him right!
CHORUS: Take her in your arms, and give her lots of amber
Take her in your arms, but be sure to check for knives!
Take her in your arms, and tell her that you love her
If you're going to love a Mongol, then you better get it right!
*
#101
*
TEMPERANCE
-Bob Cockerall
(tune: Temperance Reel)
In days of yore, the great god Thor would ramp around creation.
He'd drink a pint and slay a giant and save the Nordic nation,
Or kill a Worm to watch it squirm and vainly try to fang him,
Or lock up Loki in the pokey and on the noggin bang him.
Once he did bawl through Thrudvang Hall that on a trip he'd wander
In a disguise from prying eyes, in Midgard way out yonder,
So all his slaves, huscarls and knaves, packed up his goods and gear, O,
And off he strode, on Bifrost road, a perfect Aryan hero.
But as they rolled in coins of gold, they had one joy forsaken,
For on each raid Thor's party made, no women could be taken.
Each drab and queen fled from the scene when Viking sails were sighted,
And Thor felt the need for certain deeds that had gone unrequited.
Thor's brows were black as they went back to Oslo's rocky haven;
Unto his crew he said, "Beshrew me for a Frankish craven
"If I don't wrench some tavern wench, or else may Frigga damn her."
Replied one voice, "You got first choice; you've got the biggest hammer."
When he rose up and drained a cup, she looked like one that's near death:
Her limbs were weak, she could not speak, and only gasped for her breath.
"You ought to know, before I go, I'm Thor," he bade adieu.
"You're Thor!" said she. "Conthider me! I'm thorer, thir, than you!"
*
#103
*
#104
TRY A MINSTREL
-Andregor Starseeker
(Tune: unknown)
Don't chase after a married man, 'twill soon make you tear
You'll be stuck in the closet when his lady is near
When the challenge is gone, you'll be dumped on your ear
But a minstrel can help you restore your good cheer!
Stay away from the rich men, they act just like boys
You'll never be more than just one of their toys!
They'll cast you aside if you make too much noise
A minstrel's soft caring is the sweetest of joys!
*
#105
TULLEY DEW
-Brom Blackhand
(Tune: "Foggy Dew")
*
#106
THE TWELVE DAYS OF LADY (insert name)
-Lloyd
(with slight modifications by Ioseph of Locksley)
(c) copyright 1991 Jim Woodyatt
(Tune: "The 12 Days of Christmas")
*
#108
Oh, when the sun is hot and your head's burning in your helm
And though you fight and fight neither side can overwhelm
Under the shield wall, it's the place to be
With my lady beside me, willingly
So when the sides are joined and you'll find yourself in the press
Why don't you join me there and take a break from battle stress
Under the shield wall, it's the place to be
With my lady beside me, carnally
*
#109
Day-o! De-aye-o!
De Vikings come and we want dem go home!
*
#110
WE ARE THE SCA!
-Anonymous (with new words by Ioseph of Locksley)
(Tune: "The Engineers")
She said, "I've come a long, long way, and the man will go as far
Who'll take me off of this goddam horse and lead me to a bar!"
The man who took her off the horse and filled her full of beer
Was Yang the Nauseating, and a man from Castlemere!
Sir Francis Drake and all his ships set out for old Calais
They heard the Spanish rum fleet was headed out their way;
But the Western Dark Horde beat 'em there by a night and half a day
And though they were drunk as ptarmigans, you still could hear them say:
You may think to us that fighting's all, but that just isn't true!
We often stop for letching and perhaps a drink or two!
And sing about our glorious deeds, and slayings by the score,
Then turn a shade of sickly green and stumble out the door!
*
#111
Who's Afraid of the Great Dark Horde, the Great Dark Horde,
The Great Dark Horde?
Who's afraid of the Great Dark Horde?
The Middle Kingdom!
And thee...........
CHORUS: And it's no! Nae! Never! No, nae, never, no more!
Will I play the wild rover, no never, no more!
WILLIE MACINTOSH
(The Burning of Auchendown)
(Child 183)
recorded by the Silly Sisters
Well, either you are closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish
to acknowledge,
Or you are not aware of the caliber of disaster... indicated by the
presence of a beer tavern in your community.
And the next thing you know your son's singing filks and wearing a
cavalier hat,
And listening to some egotistical Norman, here to tell all about
country dancing,
Not a wholesome courtly dance, No!, but a dance where you actually
touch your partner's hands.
Ya like to see some big, ugly Welshman drooling on Your daughter's arm,
make your blood boil, well I should say...
Now friends, let me tell you what I mean...
Ya got one, two, five, ten, fifteen, twenty ounces in a pint.
Ounces that mark the difference between a nobleman and a tinker,
With a capital 'T', and that rhymes with 'B', and that stands for Beer.
And all week long your Calafian youth'll be piddling away, I say your
young men'll be piddling....
Piddling away their noon-time, supper-time, chore-time too,
Just get the beer in the tankard
Never mind getting the dandelions pulled, the tent flap patched or the
beefsteak pounded.
Never mind hauling any water 'til you parents are caught with the
dishes all dirty on a Saturday night
And that's trouble.
Now, I know all you folk are the right kind of parents,
So I'll be perfectly frank with you.
Would you like to know what sort of conversation goes on when they're
loafin' around that tavern?
They'll be puttin' down Guinness; they'll be puttin' down Blackbush;
Drinking that Connemara Dew like alcohol fiends!
And braggin' all about how they're gonna cover up a telltale breath
with a bit of raw clove,
One fine night, they leave the tavern, headed for the dance in Bedlam,
Libertine men and scarlet women and belly dancing with shameless music
That will grab your son, your daughter, in the arms of a jungle animal
instinct.
Mass hysteria!
Friends, the idle brain is the devils playground,
Trouble!
(Oh! We got trouble!)
Right here in Calafia!
(Right here in Calafia!)
Trouble with a capital 'T', and that rhymes with 'B', and that stands
for Beer.
(That stands for beer!)
Oh yes, we've got trouble.
(Our children have got trouble!)
Right here in Calafia!
(Right here!)
Remember the code of chivalry and the golden rule.
Mothers of Calafia.
Heed this warning before it's too late.
Watch for the telltale signs of corruption.
When your son leaves the pavilion, does he roll his sleeves up above
the elbow?
Is there a disgusting sludge in the bottom of his tankard that looks
like it came from an Exxon spill?
Is there a book of Irish folk songs hidden under his pillow?
Is he starting to memorize jokes, and one-liners that the peerage
would never approve of?
Are certain ideas creeping into his mind?
Ideas like, "Who cares if I never get an award.... ever."
And, "The king's an idiot!"
Aha! And, "Big deal if I get banished!"
Well, if so my friends,
You got trouble!
(Oh! We got trouble!)
Right here in Calafia!
(Right here in Calafia!)
That drink with water and the barley and the hops is the devils tool.
(The devil's tool.)
Yes, we've got trouble, trouble, trouble.
(Our children have got big, big trouble.)
With a capital 'T',
(With a capital 'T')
And that rhymes with 'B',
(And that rhymes with 'B')
And that stands for Beer.
(That stands for beer!)
*
#115
YESTERDAY
-Saavogg Haraldsson
We were having fun, then they came and burned the town.
They raped everyone. When they leave I hope they drown.
*
#116
Twas the corset that made him the belle of the ball
An image that he will not easily escape
Indeed I'm surprised that he got out at all
For we fastened him in with a whole roll of tape!