Composed one afternoon at Pennsic while reflecting on how often the words to songs I SWEAR I know just.... pffft... zip out of my mind. My notes say this is from AS 46, actual sheet music will be around soon.
“Fake The Words” – Gavin Kent AS XLIX
It happens every circle, someone will brightly say. “Oh, won’t you play that one song that we all know!”
You take a sip, and breathe and tune, while inwardly you pray: “Dear god, how do the stupid lyrics go?!”
(Chorus)
JUST fake the words!
Or hum and mumble.
Skip straight on to the chorus, or the “FaLahs”
Verse order is suggestion, and artistic license rules.
And when all else fails: just fake the words.
I think there was a woman, and a man, some other thing. They were in love, or was it that she didn’t?
It started out in Southern France, or maybe it was Wales? All the rest inside my brain is hidden.
Across the fire it never fails, a Laurel or some peer. Oh CRAP I think that actually she wrote this!
No problem, I’m a bard and all, performance is my thing. If only I could soddin’ bloody focus.
*** (Chorus) ***
Some fancy finger-picking just to have a chance to breathe. I launch into the song that I remember.
But one verse in and all I’m hearing, running through my brain. Is some doggerel I sang this past December.
I’m pulling it together, and the crowd is helping out. We’re closing in upon that lovely coda.
Just when I’m feeling safe and sound, my backup singers fail. Then twist my words do like a Bardic Yoda.
*** (Chorus) ***
Thank GOD the fire host is here with something sweet and strong. And let’s be honest, laughter is my true wish.
A hearty swig, a smile and wink, and start another tune. “Now good gentles, THIS one is in POLISH.”
*** (Chorus X 2, interrupt second with a few bars of ‘greensleeves’ or somesuch)
