Chivalry Recommendation for Micah of Brighton Manor from the Laurel

http://mbouchard.com/misc/MicahsSong.mp3

photo by Mylène Bergeron Francoeur

From a brash and brazen man
To a calm and guiding hand
The stones beneath this path
Are worn from pacing

Once inward looking in
Now finding joy in others win
Seeing their success sets his heart racing
Ever loyal and true
Ever loyal and true
Ever loyal and true
This heart embracing

He used to love the fight
Providing mastery and ight
Nothings changed yet different every way/
He has become more
Like the lighthouse on the shore/
This new lens will lengthen every ray

I recommend to you
I recommend to you
I recommend to you
This brilliant knight today


I had been asked to speak as the Laurel for Micah’s elevation to chivalry. I was deeply moved, as I’ve known Micah since early college, and he’s one of the few people I see regularly (though still not enough.) I was quite surprised however to learn that there was a caveat — he wanted the recommendation to be sung.

I struggled, coming up dry again and again. Finally I threw my hands up and trusted that the muses would do what they do best, which is to bring their gifts to me at the last possible moment, like bread brought fresh to a feast. (Only at least one can smell the bread cooking, which is a comfort!)

Fortunately, my trust was not in vain, and this piece came together literally hours before I was to deliver it. Bonus – he cried. Extra bonus — so did everyone else…including me.

The Duelist

The Duelist

About this piece

This song was written for swordfighters, particularly the duelist who challenge each other to single tournament combat with schlagers and fencing foils. It was inspired by a conversation in which the evocative words, “It’s for the love of the blade,” were uttered. I’ve been carrying that thought for weeks now, and am glad to finally give it its due.  Dedicated to Duelist Devillin MacPherson. 

Continue reading “The Duelist”

Thor Some Sugar on Me, a filk in poor, if sweet, taste

In which I discover a terrible place and manner in which to tell the Tale of Thor Retrieving Moljnir By Dressing As Freya and Marrying Thrym, Dammit Loki.

I present you “Thor Some Sugar On Me”

#sorrynotsorry #Iblameamanda #highononions

# # #

Asgard is tha bomb, baby, c’mon get it on
Livin’ like a lover with a keep of stone
Ægir likes it damp, Loki is a scamp
Golden-haired woman, can I be your man?

Razzle ‘n’ a dazzle ‘n’ a flash a little light
Rev’in up Bragi an’ he’ll go all night
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Innocent as Baldur you can sugar me, yeah, yeah

So c’mon, take a mead cask, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up

Thor some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Thor some sugar on me
C’mon, fire me up
Thor your sugar on me
I can’t get enough!

I’m hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet

heyra!
Red light, yellow light, runnin’ through the snow
Dressing as a woman in a one-man show
Thrym queen, prim and preen, rhythm of love
goat team, Jotunheim, loosen up

You gotta squeeze a little, tease a little, please a little more
Easy looking Freya come a-knockin’ on the door
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Oxen, salmon, sugar me!

So give me Mjölnir

Take a mead cask, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up

Thor some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Thor some sugar on me

C’mon fire me up
Thor your sugar on me
I can’t get enough

I’m hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet

You got the hammer, it’s all a gleam
Let me hold craft supreme
‘Cause I’m hot, hot, say what, sticky sweet
From my head, my head to my feet

Do you take sugar?
ONE LUMP OR TWOOOOOOOO???

Take a mead cask, shake it up
Break the giant, break him up!

Thor some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Thor some sugar on me
C’mon fire me up
Thor your sugar on me
I can’t get enough

Thor some sugar on me
Oh, in the name of love
Thor some sugar on me
Get it, come get it
Thor your sugar on me
Thor some sugar on me
Sugar me!

When We Were Young

I wrote this song for myself and for other friends who have become parents, seeing our lives — and our adventures — change.

It’s not always easy. But there it is.

 

When we were young

our swords were steel

and we fought dragons

We’d oil the moat

and stand to watch it burn.

We climbed mountains

as the snow lay crisp around us.

We bragged of love

and mighty sacrifice.

When we were young

Our arms were strong

our heads were more so

We’d oil our faces

and cavort around the fire.

We’d stumble, falling

as the flowers bloomed around us.

We sang of love

and mighty sacrifice.

When we were young

Our hearts were light

And we were noble.

We’d oil the lamps

and laugh ‘till they were gone.

We left taverns

as the dawn would blush around us.

We dreamed of love

and mighty sacrifice.

When we were young

our cloaks were thick

and we would wander.

We’d oil the cart

and push ‘till she would go.

We picked apples

as the leaves fell all around us.

We talked of love

and mighty sacrifice.

Now we have young

our swords are wood

and we are dragons.

We oil the pans

And pray that nothing burns.

We watch in silence,

as the stars grow bright around us.

We learned of love

and mighty sacrifice.

We watch in silence,

as the stars grow bright around us.

We know of love

and mighty sacrifice.

By Aneleda for Jean, Sorcia, and Gui-Andre

My Summer Brothers

It had been a while since I was struck by song inspiration, which vexed me, but in the days leading up to the EK Spring Crown (in which Sir Culann was fighting for me) I found that my muse decided to come and visit.

This is a song about three men who have been influential to my SCA experience, Culann Mac Cianain, Ian Stewart, and Adam Brennan. I presented this to Angus before I left and to Culann and Brennan on Saturday night after Crown was done, dinner was had. (We made the semifinals! There was steak! There were people! Yay!)

Born of a Pembridge campfire at the War of the Roses, I give you the song, which you can hear by clicking the link.

My summer brothers
Spoke to me across the sparkling flame
My summer brothers
Asked for songs forged of an ancient fame
I sang to them, and to my kin,
as the stars drew closely down
Who that night would have seen the paths
That lead to our renown.

One summer brother came to me
A strong and comely knight.
That summer brother promised me
That beside me he would fight.
Never was I outside his view,
Nor lost in melee’s hold
Careful and watchful, was my shield,
His presence made me bold!

One summer brother came to me
With warriors at his side
That summer brother
Bade me sing, e’re they set out to ride.
Forty fierce and noble men
Brought wrath at his commands,
Yet would soothe my tears and place mulled wine
Within my hands.

My summer brothers
Spoke to me across the sparkling flame
My summer brothers
Asked for songs forged of an ancient fame
I sang to them, and to my kin,
as the stars drew closely down
Who that night would have seen the paths
That lead to our renown.

One summer brother came to me
So by his King assigned
That summer brother
Had given word he’d not leave me behind.
He brought me light to darkened hall
The concerns of all he’d quell,
His vigilant gaze on everything
Assuring all was well.

My summer brothers come to me
Now Duke, Master, and Knight
My summer brothers
Give me joy and stories fine to write.
Our lives have changed in many ways
Since that lazy summer fire
But like the sparks that fleck the night
They warm and they inspire.

My summer brothers
Spoke to me across the sparkling flame
My summer brothers
Asked for songs forged of an ancient fame
I sang to them, and to my kin,
as the stars drew closely down
Who that night would have seen the paths
That lead to our renown

My summer brothers
Spoke to me across the sparkling flame
My summer brothers
Asked for songs forged of an ancient fame
I sang to them, and to my kin,
as the stars drew closely down
Who that night would have seen the paths
That lead to our renown.

This summer sister loves you all,
You taught her to serve well.
This summer sister proudly sings
And your stories she will tell.
Seldom we stand as merry band
For we are rarely free
But I carry each one of you inside
With each joy and victory.

My summer brothers
Spoke to me across the sparkling flame
My summer brothers
Asked for songs forged of an ancient fame
I sang to them, and to my kin,
as the stars drew closely down
Who that night would have seen the paths
That lead to our renown.

My summer brothers
Spoke to me across the sparkling flame
My summer brothers
Will be songs forged of an ancient fame
Yes my summer brothers
Will be songs forged of an ancient fame.