Copyright 2005 by Jeff Suzuki
This is, I believe, the second SCA filk I wrote and is better than my first effort...which is to say it isn't completely terrible. If you can believe it, I didn't come up with a title until it came time to put it together for this website; I'm not very good with titles (though I've been told that my titles are every bit as good as my songs...)
In any case, this is another example of the problems of writing a filk before you know the original material. The tune is, of course, Scarborough Fair, though here's a factoid: the “Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme” lyrics to Scarborough Fair were written in the 19th century. The period version of this song is called The Elfin Knight, and the theme of impossible tasks is because the singer is trying to avoid marrying the title character.
Incidentally, since my singing repertoire is limited to about three tunes, I make every song count. Are you patrons of the megastores? is another filk to Scarborough Fair. I'm also working on another filk; either impossible tasks imposed at Pensic (“Tell her to find me an acre of land...”) or by a master upon his apprentice (“Peers often impose impossible tasks...”). It's in the works, so watch this space...
Are you going to the Pensic War? Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. Remember me to someone named Thor. He once borrowed court garb of mine. Was a young fighter who sough to impress. Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. A muddy t-tunic and field boots his dress. He once borrowed court garb of mine. The Baron approached with a heartfelt appeal Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. "Thor needs some nice garb", so I loaned him my teal. He once borrowed court garb of mine. The silk to the ladies called out like a bell. Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. With me those clothes never worked half as well. He once borrowed court garb of mine. Retired he that night with a lass on each arm. Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. Came early morning, did sound the alarm. He once borrowed court garb of mine. Grabbing his gear he did make for the field. Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. But he forgot that he still wore my teal. He once borrowed court garb of mine. Bravely he plunged to the thick of the fight. Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. In his well-greased armor thrown o'er my silk tights. He once borrowed court garb of mine. Into the woods and across muddy streams. Fighting dancing, wenching and wine. Suddenly some of the silk snagged a tree. He once borrowed court garb of mine. Thor tried to clean it and make it look neat. Fighting, dancing, wenching and wine. The washer with bleach, then to dry at high heat. It once was court garb of mine....