filk

Carving Knife – Leslie Hudson

by

I am bitter (I am bitter)
I am bitterness as cold as ice
I am jealous (I am jealous)
I am jealousy as old as night
I want better
I want better than your charming life
I am other (I am other)
I am otherwise a carving knife 

“Carving Knife” by Leslie Hudson, a song for all the villainesses of fairy tales. In the song description, Leslie explains,

Villains are often simply opportunistic. They seize potential in a moment in time and change their fortunes just as their counterparts do, but we’re not meant to root for them. Their function is primarily foil or challenger or catalyst. We don’t delve into their stories or take their circumstances into account.

But that stepmother is a widow with two young girls to care for who’ve lost their father, their station and their future. That succubus will starve if she doesn’t feed on the energy of another. That woman’s love went unrequited though she gave her whole heart, her womb proved unfruitful but she wanted children, her looks never improved with age, she had no magic doll guiding her choices, no wealthy benefactor, she led no charmed life.

Lyrics available on Bandcamp.

Shoutout to Heather Dale

by

[image text: Is it maybe worth a shoutout to Heather Dale? She’s starting to post captioned ASL videos of some of her songs to her YouTube, and I just… sort of want to call attention to it somehow.]

Oh cool! I haven’t checked out her YouTube channel recently, so thanks for bringing it up!

So here’s a giant shoutout to Heather Dale, for helping to make filk more inclusive and accessible, and for bringing attention to some wonderful Deaf artists. Here’s her YouTube playlist with all her ASL videos, and it will be updating with more videos weekly.

Circus of Dreams – Cheshire Moon

by

Come One, Come all, to the carnival
Where embers and cinnamon play
Come in and wander, over and under
While paper birds sing in their cage 

Through tents in stripes of black and white
You’ll find wonders both magic and strange
Be assured if you wish to return
We’re only a wish away

“Circus of Dreams” by Cheshire Moon, about, well, a circus of dreams.

Lyrics and chords available here.

Still Catch the Tide – Seanan McGuire and friends

by

I never thought that I could hold you forever
Always knew deep down you’d have to go home
I can be grateful for these bright years together
And I know you miss the salt sea foam
If you hurry, you can still catch the tide, my love
If you hurry you can still catch the tide.

“Still Catch the Tide” by Talis Kimberley, performed here by Seanan McGuire with Michelle “Vixy” Dockrey, Tony Fabris, S.J. Tucker, and Amy McNally.  Lyrics are available here.

This is one of my favorite songs to sing along to when I want to be Sad About The Sea (a specific emotion that I experience with alarming regularity.)

If you want a selkie song with a happy ending, check out “The Maiden and the Selkie” by Heather Dale or “Glass Half Full of the Sea” by Benjamin Newman.

Voidfish Lullaby – Love Patrol Beta

by

scribefindegil:

In-universe taz filk song from Chapter One of my fic “Songs From The Void”

Tune: Traditional (Lavender’s Blue)

Lyrics:

Stars are above, dilly dilly, worlds are below
What we will find, dilly dilly, no one can know
But I know this, dilly dilly, every world round
I will make sure, dilly dilly, you’re safe and sound.

Home is behind, dilly dilly, far far away
What is ahead, dilly dilly, no one can say
Though you are lost, dilly dilly, you’re not alone.
I’ll keep you safe, dilly dilly. I’ll be your home.

Hush now and sleep, dilly dilly, no need to fear
When the day breaks, dilly dilly, I’ll still be near
Worlds are below, dilly dilly, stars are above
And we are here, dilly dilly, shining with love.

Outward Bound – Echo’s Children

by

“They’re looking for a scientist,” my buddy said one day,
“‘Course, the only thing that’s smaller than the quarters is the pay,
But it does mean work in orbit–” I said “Get out of my way!”
And it won’t be much longer now.

I’ve had a berth on Outward Bound since she was begun
I’ve got a berth on Outward Bound and she’s almost done
I’ve got a berth on Outward Bound and–hey!–I’ve got to run!
Cause it won’t be much longer now. 

“Outward Bound” by Echo’s Children, perfect for when you want to bellow along to a space exploration singalong.

Lyrics available here.