From: zebee@ucs.adelaide.edu.au (Zebee Johnstone)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Period vs. Filk (was Basic Courtesy)
Date: 28 Jul 92 00:51:28 GMT
Organization: Information Technology Division, The University of Adelaide, AUSTRALIA

ag1v+@andrew.cmu.edu (Andrea B. Gansley-Ortiz) writes:

>Most worshipful company of readers, I recommend me to you.

>I am interested in what people see as filk and where they 
>think it's appropriate to be sung or published.

>I think there are many levels of filk. I enjoy sometimes 
>taking a period song and writing about an SCA event. I 
>don't know who's recognized this or not, but no one has
>ever really commented about the songs to me.  I will sing
>these songs at SCA events. Is this a filk? Is it appropriate
>to sing at an event?

My guidelines tend to be: will it jar?

I'm aware that I am more attuned to period songs than most, as singing
and making songs is my hobby.  So I am prepared to give others
leeway.

IF you take a period song, and change the words, people who don't know
the song will not be bothered, people who do will compare your version
to the one they know and judge accordingly.

I have a version of the Child ballad Young Musgrave which is a combination
of that and the American version MAtty Groves.  IT seems to work, 
and doesn't offend.

>Some people will take a modern song and write very period
>sounding lyrics. (i.e. not about the SCA) If the song is
>recognizable, is it a filk? If the song is not recognizable
>to most, is it a filk? Would the first be inappropriate at
>an event and the second not. (please excuse the double negative.)

period style words to a modern tune leads to two problems.
You have identified one - is it recognisable?  IF so, then people
will be hearing the modern words in their heads, and thus it will jar.

My fovourite example of this is a song called (I think) Was Hael
which I believe to be from Calontir.  Excellent words, but the tune
is "when Johnny Comes Marching Home" and that is what I hear
if the song is sung.

The second problem is that the tune may seem "wrong".  Example would be
a modern blues style.  That would be recognisably modern, so 
would jar, even if the tune itself wasn't known to the audience.
  

>A person takes a modern song and writes specifically about an
>SCA related incident or phenomena? What are the appropriate 
>places for this type of song? Are there those who believe there
>are no appropriate places? Why or why not?

Not sure what you mean by "a modern song".  But I suspect a 
good example would be Christian's "Bob the Van" which generated
so much heat.  Alternatively some of the SCa show tunes that 
William the Lucky has been responsible for - Hollywood
musical songs changed around to have SCA references.

My feeling is that these are appropriate for armouring workshops, car
trips, parties and other non-garbed occasions.  I have been known to 
indulge in them when doing the washing up after the lights
came on after a feast.

In general, modern references whether in words or tune are best at 
modern events.  Period style is an art like any other, and requires
research, work and practice.

Note that not all modern songs are a problem.  I have heard 
Jethro Tull's "Broadsword" from the BRoadsword and the Beast 
album done at a bardic circle, and although everyone knew
where it came from, it *felt* period and did not jar.

Kipling seems to fall into the same category.  

Hope this helps...

Selfran

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