Not a Bard

Sikman the Stout was a brewer in 1000 Eyes. In fact, he made an ale called Sikman’s Stout.

This is important because he made me one of those “offers you can’t refuse.” See it happened that Sikman was both the Baronesses’ Champion of 1000 Eyes and the Princess’ Champion for the first princess of the principality of Artemisia. He desired to honor both these fine ladies and came to me with a proposition. If I would write a song for each of them, he would supply me with beer at any 1000 Eyes event that we both attended. So, of course, I did. And he did, as long as he was active.

It was quite a challenge to me to try to write two distinct songs in a limited time frame. I am more of a plodder than a soarer in that department. The songs did get written and seemed well-received when they were debuted for the ladies in question. At the time I thought them just adequate, doggerel-for-hire as it were. Looking back on them now, I think they are more sentimental and seem to conjure the spirit of the ladies well for the time.

So for you Allessandra (Zahara?) and for you Sarah, or Sara, not really sure (and in spite of what came after)

Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Sarah

Sarah by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Posted in Song of the Week
Tags: SCA, Song of the Week

This is one of the many fine songs written by Leslie Fish. It is used by the kind permission of her and Random Factors. I would remind you (and for those of you who haven’t read the Polite but Firm Suggestions page) that though my audio file is Creative Commons licensed, the original copyright is still held by Leslie and Random Factors. For more information check www.lesliefish.com or to order Leslie’s music, check www.random-factors.com.

My most striking memory associated with this song is from a long ago Pennsic. I was visiting Duke Michael of Bedford’s encampment as he was hosting Duke Brion and Duchess Anna. I was asked to perform the song and afterward Duke Michael came up to me and complimented me on being a good “entertainer.” I expressed a very sincere gratitude because he was the first one that seemed to “get it.”

See, most people compliment my voice and/or guitar playing. Now I do have three years of classical voice training but it only makes me more aware of my shortcomings. Likewise I’m a pretty fair rhythm guitarist but not going to be leading any top 40 bands in this lifetime. I feel the secret of my success has always been my willingness and flexibility rather than my skill level. Well, that and my rather memorable shtick with the song list. So even if I am not impressing you, I hope I am entertaining you with the songs on this site.

The Sun is Also a Warrior Lyrics: Sun is Also a Warrior

The Sun is Also a Warrior by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.lesliefish.com.  (copyright 1986 by Leslie Fish, assigned to Random Factors)

Posted in Song of the Week
Tags: SCA, Song of the Week

Sorry I’m running late this week, long days at work.

Short and sweet, this song was written for Keegan. It’s kind of hokey, but reflects my feelings at the time. And ever since for that matter.

Castles of Air

Castles of Air by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Posted in Song of the Week
Tags: SCA, Song of the Week

This song was written for a good friend and a great guy Edward Drakenfeld. Ed was the founding Baron of 1000 Eyes and really fun to be around. We had a running joke for many years that he was paying me to write a song about him. He would catch me at events and heartily inquire about how his song was coming. I would prevaricate a little and then he would slip me a few bills in a faux surreptitious manner and tell me to “keep up the good work.” I would slip him the money back later and off we’d go. At least I think I always gave it back. =) One of the things that came out of this was a filk called Excellent Eddie that was always good for a laugh and gave Ed a reason to play up the “Not quite what I was looking for…” bit.

It’s kind of cheating to give you the song title. The song was written so that the subject, the Baron, was not revealed until the last line. This was so I could spring it on Ed when the time finally came and, though he surely suspected, he never knew that this was “his song” until the end.

So, here’s to you Eddie!

The Baron

The Baron by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Posted in Song of the Week
Tags: SCA, Song of the Week

I first heard this sung by Mirendil of Alardis mka Louise Foster. She was also kind enough to share the words with me. In fact, she introduced me to many SCA songs, including the ones written by her brother, Baldwin of Erebor. For that I am eternally grateful and it only makes me feel like more of a jerk. <sigh> Long story. Maybe not long but embarrassing. I know, let’s blame Haakon. jk

Anyway, this is one of the few actual “period” songs in my repertoire.

Boys of Bedlam

Boys of Bedlam by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Posted in Song of the Week
Tags: SCA, Song of the Week

I don’t want to say I wrote this week’s Song of the Week “for” a lady but I must admit I did have one in mind when I penned it. Actually, I suppose it would be more accurate to say that I had several in mind which I fondly remember to this day.

You might have read my earlier Why Not a Bard column about how I tried to base my persona on historical information (with some romantic notions thrown in for fun.) I tried to reflect some of that in this song, to contrast the “wandering minstrel” from the SCA notion of “bard.”

No Lonely Road

No Lonely Road by Glen E Hammer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Posted in Song of the Week
Tags: SCA, Song of the Week