Re: Belt & Chain - Lyrics & Folk Process

[mn13189@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU]

Poster: mn13189@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU


On Mon, 16 Jun 1997, Will Ritchie wrote:
> Both of these were entirely period practices, as were plagiarism and
> trademark counterfeiting.  Still, I think the New Middle Ages should set
> them aside, just as we have done with bear-baiting and religious
> persecution.  As is evidenced by the Orders of the Pelican and Laurel, our
> officers and artisans merit the same respect given to period aristocracy. 

Plagerism and counterfitting aside, why should we put aside the practice
of composing new words to an existing tune (commonly known as "filking")?
You yourself mentioned it was done in period.  Burns did it.  Modern
songwriters do it.  Burns famous anthem, "Scots Wha Hae" was "filked" to a
marching song, "Hey Tuttie Tattie" that was supposedly played at
Bannockburn (so the legend goes).  The modern day songwriter Hamish
Henderson, called by some the 20th century burns, composes most of his
tunes to pre=existing pipe tunes.  The words you put to an existing tune
do not necessarily have to parody that song, "Weird AL" style.  Does
anyone else find this practice offinsive?  I think it helps a lot of
people get into songwriting who have great lyrics in mind, but know
nothing about composing music.
Aye,
Eogan

=======================================================================
List Archives, FAQ, FTP:  http://sca.wayfarer.org/merryrose/
            Submissions:  atlantia@atlantia.sca.org
        Admin. requests:  majordomo@atlantia.sca.org