Wonders – S. J. Tucker

It’s the wonders that I’m after,
even if I have to bleed,
and make very rash decisions
for the sake of what I need.
Dancing kisses on my cheek,
it’s the wonders that I seek,
and I swear I am not afraid. 

“Wonders” by S. J. Tucker, which she dedicates to “all of us who dare to go on quests that we can’t see the end of.”

Lyrics available on Bandcamp.

The Griesly Bride – McKain Lakey

Today in found filk: “The Griesly Bride,” a murder ballad adapted by Tom Campbell from a poem written by John Manifold.

Despite being written in the mid-20th century, it sounds like a traditional ballad, and has a very filkish supernatural twist. It’s actually so filkish that when I was first trying to track down the origin of the song, I found some folks who were convinced it had been written by filker Cynthia McQuillan.

Lyrics are available here.

Quick content warning for an implied threat of sexual coercion, though it’s never followed through, and the woman who’s threatened is not the one murdered in this ballad.

Song of Fey Cross – Three Weird Sisters

Outside of our town, at the edge of the forest
Two roads come together, they call it Fey Cross
And there at the crossroads, away from the roadside
There’s an odd mound of granite all covered with moss

Oh, soft is the pillow, all green and inviting
Sweet is the sound of a new faery tune
But beware of the voices that call you to sleep there
That call you to dream ‘neath the light of the moon.

“Song of Fey Cross,” a warning song written by Gwen Knighton and performed by Three Weird Sisters (Gwen Knighton, Brenda Sutton, and Teresa Powell).

Lyrics available on their website.

Eleven Feathered Sons – Leslie Hudson

Brothers, I am coming
Will you call me on?
What are you becoming every dawn?
Mother, you have cursed them
Eleven feathered sons
Beneath the shadow of their wingspans
I will run 

“Eleven Feathered Sons” by Leslie Hudson, based on the fairy tale The Wild Swans. Lyrics available on Bandcamp.

For another neat (and tonally very different!) interpretation of a closely related folktale, check out Queen of Spindles by Talis Kimberley.

Tam Lin – Tricky Pixie

Tonight’s the night of Halloween,
and the fairy court will ride;
And she that would her true love win
at Miles Cross must bide.

Happy Halloween (or Hallowe’en, depending on your spelling preference)!

In celebration, have some filkers performing everyone’s favorite traditional ballad about getting knocked up by a weird guy in the woods and having to go rescue him on Halloween before the Faerie can sacrifice him to the Devil 🙂

This version of Tam Lin is performed by Tricky Pixie, aka S.J. Tucker, Alexander James Adams, and Betsy Tinney. Lyrics are available on bandcamp.

Witch of the Wood – Three Weird Sisters

I seek the Witch of the Wood, Lady of Forest and Glen
Dark things howl at the gate threatening women and men.

“Witch of the Wood” by Dr. Mary Crowell, performed by Three Weird Sisters (the combined talents of Mary Crowell, Brenda Sutton, and Teresa Powell).

Lyrics available on their website.

From Out the Barrow – Alexander James Adams

Won’t you come with me where the water runs deep?
Where the fire heart burns and the land is asleep?
Leave your tears and pain, let your heart be unbound!
Merely melt as spring rain-
With me into the ground!

“From Out the Barrow” by Alexander James Adams, a terrifying ultimatum from something old and powerful that lives deep beneath the earth.

Lyrics available on Bandcamp.

Banshee – Cheshire Moon

The only thing certain in each life is death
As sure as each heartbeat and every last breath
The cry of the Banshee each soul must heed
But who in this world calls for me?
Yes, who in this world calls for me?

“Banshee” by Cheshire Moon. I didn’t realize until I listened to this how much I needed Love Songs About Death Omens in my life.

Lyrics and chords available here.

My Story Is Not Done – Seanan McGuire & Dead Sexy

It’s not done until it’s told,
It’s not told until it’s written,
If I’m brave and if I’m bold,
I can challenge what’s forbidden,
For nobody gets to tell me
That I’ll never be the one.
When they ask you what befell me,
Say my story is not done.

“My Story is not Done” by Seanan McGuire, 2015 Pegasus Award winner for Best Filk Song. It’s performed here by Seanan, Amy McNally, Brenda Sutton, Bill Sutton, Teresa Powell, Dr. Mary Crowell and Judi Miller.

Lyrics are available on Seanan McGuire’s website.