A couple of music things.

[catsittingstill]

I have been doing more music stuff this past week.

I hadn’t written much that was new that was also suitable for the Thursday night Jam. I flipped through the old songbook last Friday though, and found a bunch of stuff I wrote 15 or 20 years ago that would work okay. I wrote a mandolin harmony for July (a song I wrote while courting Kip) and learned it over the past week.

I also ended up writing an Easter song the day before the Jam, for my mandolin student (whose mom then cancelled, but that’s okay I’ll know it better next week to teach it to him.)

Easter Question
Lyrics and melody by Cat Faber

Cold and warm and cold again, the growing light will bring
A time of hope and wonder when the flowers bloom in spring
Easter’s coming soon, and in its coming it foretells 
A mystery for ages. Here’s the thing:

   Does the Easter bunny lay the eggs she hides?
   It’s a complicated question to examine from all sides.
   Trying to consider it, I think I’m making strides.
   Does the Easter bunny lay the eggs she hides?

Patterned for concealment in the flowers where she dwells
Bright and cheerful colors on the gaily patterned shells
Easter eggs are mysteries, and though they are the best,
If anybody knows, then no one tells:

The questions seem to multiply and will not let me rest
Will they hatch out peeps or bunnies if I leave them in the nest?
Can jelly beans be planted, for more jelly beans next spring?
And can I really save some for the test? 

People actually listened to the Easter song and I got a couple of laughs out of it, so good. And July went over Very Well. I actually managed to learn it in a week to the point where I was mostly solid enough to give proper attention to interpretation. I got to the end and there was this little sigh before people started clapping. I think that’s the best response I’ve drawn at the Jam since I started there.

I just realized July is not online, so here it is:

July
Lyrics and melody by Cat Faber 1995

When living’s year wears down to chill December
And all my warmth is born of stores laid by
Huddled blanket-wrapped I will remember
And warm myself at sunnygold July

   This is where my spirit’s riches lie
   The deep heart shaking splendor of July

It was in July my heart did waken
The wildflowers blossomed gaily where they grew
Cottonwoods by summer winds were soaked
The rose I thought was barren bloomed anew

Fruit of golden summer’s many blisses
Fireworks like laughter freely spilled
In crimson dusk the shiver of your kisses
Like summer cherries, gathered and distilled

Though the dregs of life may lose their flavor
Yet memory of memory ensues
A cordial for the heart to sip and savor
And makes July the headiest of brews.

I need to run go do other things.

Comments

music old and new

[callibr8]

Yay for new song, and for the July lyrics getting posted!

FYI, the songbook continues to be popular out here because people still enjoy and perform the repertoire, and so much of it is arranged for 2+ parts. A friend who went to the WorldCon in Finland said that many of the European fans knew the Echo's Children songs better than she did - but she's catching up fast. :)

Re: music old and new

[kjn]

I think I chatted with her while on the tram back to our respective hotels after one of the filk circles, and that it was lots of people chiming in on "Acts of Creation" that triggered the observation.

But we were far from only European filkers in the circles

Re: music old and new

[catsittingstill]

Well, that's pleasing to hear! I had no idea!

I hope you had lots of fun at the Finnish WorldCon, it sounded like it was going to be a great con.

Re: music old and new

[kjn]

Yeah, I had lots of fun at Worldcon 75, though I ran more than a little ragged…

Finnish filking is idiosyncratic, like all of Finnish fandom, but I think many of your songs would fit nicely within their ways of doing music. I'll see if some of them managed to stick around when I get over to Finncon this summer.

Re: music old and new

[catsittingstill]

That is great! I love to think of other people picking up the songs and performing them. And I'm particularly pleased to imagine them jumping over the oceans to new countries and continents. :-)

[minoanmiss]

*beams at you*

[catsittingstill]

*beams back*

[tigertoy]

Not meaning to be nitpicky, but v4 l1, I assume it's supposed to be 'may lose their flavor' not 'my'. It confused me for a moment reading the lyrics...

[catsittingstill]

Yes, that is correct. Good eye. I will fix it.

[filkferengi]

A great follower to your lovely July song would be Casey Sledge's "October Country", perhaps as part of a fun seasonal cycle.

[catsittingstill]

Seasonal songs are fun, aren’t they?

[filkferengi]

Yes, but even better at comfortable temperatures, with great company & good snacks.