Sometimes you need to take a break from hope songs to be sad and scared and take refuge in needlessly complicated poetic forms.
fantasy
You’re a Star – Araxie Haldane
Here’s my piece for Day 7 of The Power Of Mabel Week! It’s a filk (lyrics under the cut)! Thank you so much to everyone else who contributed and made this week such a success (and if you haven’t finished something that’s okay–Mabel Week may officially be over today, but it lives on in my heart and I’d love to see more things that people create)
Much love to all of you and to our beautiful star child.
Keep reading
Horsetamer’s Daughter – Julia Ecklar
“Horsetamer’s Daughter” is set in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover universe, and is really a fanfic in its own right. It was originally written by Leslie Fish, and is infamous for going on… and on… and on… and…
(Probably apocryphal) legend has it that when presented with the song, Marion Zimmer Bradley told Leslie Fish something along the lines of “That’s nice, dear, but isn’t it a bit long?”
Lyrics are available here.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Captain Jack and the Mermaid – Meg Davis
“Captain Jack and the Mermaid” is often considered a filk classic, and I’m kind of surprised we haven’t already posted it.
It’s loads of fun to sing along to, but the backstory behind it is actually a bit sad. Meg Davis comments in the CD release notes:
The true story behind this particular song is that it was written in order for me to deal with the death of my older brother. I received the news while at school in England and I was pretty much in shock for several years after that (as I was unable to come home for the funeral). And so, I imagined that this must be what it was like for the ladies whose men went off to sea, never to return…..you’d never see your loved one again and, the odd thing is that, never having seen them buried, actually keeps them very much alive in your memory. Which is a good thing, I think. Captain Jack’s sweetheart faces the sorrow that many of us face in our lives…..having to love and then let go. By the way, this song is loads of fun to sing along with so, just because the reasons behind the writing are a bit sad, I certainly expect you all to continue to raise your glasses (bifocal or wine) and bellow on regardless. My brother would have wanted it that way !
Lyrics are available on the song’s Pegasus Award page.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Likho’s Lullabye – Vixy & Tony
Sleep, my girl, and dream of home
Of lamps alight and hearth aflame
A china cup, a silver comb
An old grey wolf for you to tame
A rider come who knows your name
“Likho’s Lullabye,” based on a traditional Russian lullabye and the novel Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente, with additional lyrics & melody by Michelle Dockrey, sung by Michelle Dockrey of Vixy & Tony
Velvet – Talis Kimberley
She puts on velvet, fits like a glove
She doesn’t hate and she doesn’t love
She’s a beast without and a woman within
When she puts on velvet like a second skin.
“Velvet,” a werewolf song by Talis Kimberley, with John Jones and Kieran Taaffe
Black Water – Leslie Fish & Heather Alexander
Black water, final rescue, dark water, lasting peace
Black water, keeping secrets none may know
Black water, final rescue, bring silence and release
Black water, through the city swiftly flow
“Black Water,” also called “Suicide,” by Mercedes Lackey and C.J. Cherryh, performed by Leslie Fish and Heather Alexander. This is one of those songs that sounds like fantasy until you realize what they’re talking about (obvious, in this case, from the subtitle), and then it’s a little unsettling.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Warrior – Meg Davis
Ride, warrior, ride
With your blade by your side
Follow on your spirit-steed
While moons darken and bleed
Drink the wind as you fly
Hear the night-beasts cry
Cold tears run with the rain
Down a horses mane
“Warrior,” by Mercedes Lackey, from the novel By the Sword, performed by Meg Davis
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Eight-Legged Blues – Vixy & Tony
They raid your liquor cabinet, though they’re not of age to drink
They’re staging tango competitions in the kitchen sink
They’re critiquing your new painting (your perspective’s off, they say)
And they’re analyzing your décor for optimal feng shui
“Eight-Legged Blues,” by special-edition four-member Vixy & Tony (Michelle Dockrey, Tony Fabris, Betsy Tinney, and Sunnie Larsen)
The part of the spiders is credited to Betsy’s cello, Raven.
Death and the Maiden – Mean Mary
A fantastic found filk featuring a lady pirate, a masquerade, and some ambiguous magical shenanigans.
“Death and the Maiden” by Mean Mary; lyrics available here.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)