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Some Actual Filk Facts

The first use of the word 'filk' dates to the early 1950's when Lee Jacobs typo-ed "Folk" in his zine article "The Influence of Science Fiction on Modern American Folk Music". The Sci-fi community heartily embraced the term for the parodies and other songs already being sung in the folk tradition at Sci-fi conventions and other gatherings. And since some of them (Sci-fi folks) are some of us (SCA folks) the cross-over of both the tradition and the word was inevitable.

The first song published as a "filk song" dates to 1953. Barbarous Allen was written by Poul Anderson (Later to be known as Sir Bela of Eastmarch) and printed in a zine distributed at Sci-fi conventions.

Filk is considered a sub-category of folk music. Like folk music, it is often maintained and taught as an oral tradition and is intimately associated with a distinct culture. (Sometimes to the point of using references to real characters and "in" jokes that will have no meaning outside a narrowly defined social group) Purists define filk by its subject matter (traditionally related to Sci-fi) but most follow the tradition of "let the slain man say"; allowing the performers say what is and is not filk.

Filking is generally defined as applying new lyrics to old tunes although completely original music is also used. The effect ranges from outrageous parody to tender tributes but above all is fun!

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After much dedicated research, (and skulking) hours of sifting through moldering manuscripts, (and skulking) bribery and, yes, skulking. we are pleased to bring the Filk Files to the light of day.

Until now these files have remained a darkly guarded, ok, a casually guarded secret. Ok, ok, they were cleverly shuffled into that huge stack of stuff lurking in the back room.

So what exactly is a Filk and why were they hidden? Are they a creative synergy of modern poetics and classic tunes or the sordid underbelly of the bardic world?
You be the judge!

Done to the tune of Queen's "We will rock you"

(stomp, stomp, clap...)

Baby they’re the B&B, wear the hats, got the job
Glad it’s them and not me no more
They sit in those chairs
And try to be fair
Wearing those coronets and messin’ up their hair

Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei
Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei

Buddy their both peers, got the titles got the rank
Way past getting their AoAs
Pelican is he
Laurel-type is she
No way they will ever be as witty as me

Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei
Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei

Now Ralg's got Ellen and Tsuruko’s got Bernie
Pretty happy couples if you are asking me
But Rightous dude is he
Way hot chick is she
If they had kids imagine how…..

Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei
Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei

Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei
Master Ralg and Tsuruko – Sensei

The filk songs listed were contributed by the members and ~~enemies~~ -er- friends of the Barony of Dragon's Laire for your amusement. The management of this website disavows any complicity in any of the conspiracies leading to their construction or performance or any responsibility for random acts of hilarity or other mayhem that may occur from their inclusion in this list.

In days of yore - or perhaps lore, the members of the Spenser Longfellow Trading Company would gather around a fire at an event, tired from a day of mischief and other such tom-foolery and lend themselves to the gentler arts (HA!) Creating songs to celebrate, commemorate, or commiserate anything and everything. We stole shamelessly and without remorse the music from the Bards of the Current Middle Ages, the likes of Old Standards, Showtunes, Pop Rock (the music not the candy), to add our own twisted insight into the world of popular or neo-popular culture (How do you fit the Current Middle Ages into that phrase)

Anyways - additionally Phillip and I would spend the long road trips to far away events creating songs for just about any occasion. Alas as I went digging through paper files and the web site I find that there are some from the very early days that we no longer have the words to, perhaps its better that some just go by the wayside. As I said above, most of the songs told a story, relating to something that we as a body or as individuals had encountered. Sometimes you'd just have to get involved in the filking process to make sure it didn't completely explode in your face - Hence my production credit for "Where's your knickers Catelin?" Lord only knew what savagery could be done with filk left in the wrong hands - come on - some of you have seen the folks who once inhabited the giant ger from hell late at night - could you blame a girl??

I went cruising through the Trading Company's web site http://members.tripod.com/~EnchantedHawk/ and found the link to the great page set up when Moyra was Bardic Lady-in-charge and offer it to any looking for additional music/lyrics. http://members.tripod.com/~Moyra/Bardic/

Filking is fun, filking is your friend. It doesn't take much to do and can leave you with hours of delight, and god only knows what sort of legends/myths about its creation. (pay no mind to Moyra's additions and embellishments) ((Moyra don't forget the 30 some odd verse filk to the Ball at Inverness!! I have the technology to find those verses and barring that you know what Phillip's memory is like where these things are concerned.

But I digress.... If you want to try your hand at filk there are a number of sites on the web with ALL KINDS of filks out there. A particular favorite of mine in Bob River's site at www.twistedtunes.com

The "Winning at May Crown" song was a collaborative effort at one Bardic Night. It came together in about two hours. Moral of the story, where there's a will there's a way, where there's a song, there's ALWAYS away to "improve" on it.

I'd be happy to field any questions on the filking we've done and getting started on it. It's really very easy!

Regards,

Cate

Landless White Trash - Arontius	Wenching Tonight - Phillip and Catelin
Winning at May Crown - By: the Dragon’s Laire Bardic Guild	For Her Majesty Aryanna - Catelin
The Twelve Days of Shore Leave	Where’s Your Knickers Catelin?
June Faire - Diane Taber	Baby Shark- Enchanted Hawk