Non-Renaissance Songs That Would Make Great Faire Songs

[Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia]

Knights in White Satin

[Amelia]

I keep planning to perform Archie Fisher's "Witch of the West-Mer-Lands," but it has about 20 verses. I'm not sure how much of the audience would sit through that.

You'd be surprised - Bathos the Muse and I perform that at shows we work together, in addition to the Feast of Fantasy at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.  It's a great song, and sometimes I'll bring out my cello and play accompaniment to his guitar.  We only do 9 verses, I think.  I'd have to unearth my song book to verify, but it's the Stan Rogers version, which doesn't do all of them, but rather ends at "None shall harm the Knight who's lain/With the Witch of the West-Mer-Land".

One that I'm surprised no one picked is "My Lover's Gone" by Dido, off her No Angel CD. 

My lover's gone
His boots no longer by my door
He left at dawn
And as I slept I felt him go

Returns no more
I will not watch the ocean
My lovers gone

No earthly ships will ever bring him home again
Bring him home again

My lover's gone
I know that kiss will be my last
No more his song
The tune upon his lips has passed

I sing alone
While I watch the ocean
My lover's gone

No earthly ships will ever bring him home again
Bring him home again

My lover's gone
His boots no longer by my door
He left at dawn
And as I slept I felt him go

Returns no more
I will not watch the ocean
My lover's gone

No earthly ships will ever bring him home again
Bring him home again

I always though this would be a cool song, either for a woman singing about a privateer/pirate, or a re-enactment song, about someone shipping off to fight the French and Indian War, or Rev War. 

[Poldugarian Warrior]

Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin, it always conjures up images of Vikings or of anyone residing in dark snowy mountainous regions of Europe. It would sound good on acoustic instruments. I think someone may have mentioned this before, but just in case.

[Dance_Dance]

I hope no one has posted this yet...

Company of Fools
By Great Big Sea

Many a truest word
has been spoken by the Jester
Standing against the tide
Is the noblest of gestures
It's the little pearls of wisdom
That tumble from the light
That makes us laugh until we cry
Because we know that they are right
Within the strangest people
Truth can find the strangest home
So meet me in the village
Where all we idiots go

Bring on the Clowns
The Jokers and Buffoons
I've had the Time of my Life
And the Life of my Times
In the Company of Fools

I'm wading through the quicksand
In the gardens of the gentry
Blooming vacuity
Leaves mind and pockets empty
In the Social Order
I accept the bottom rung
Until the wine is pouring
And the Lord commands a song
Meet me at the staff door
When the posers all go home
We'll gather with the other Fools
And put on a proper show

So here's to the Poorest Poet
Who always pens the truth
Players Writers and Gypsies
The Minstrels and their tunes
I'd rather live an honest lifetime
With those with nothing to lose
Than waste a night
Knee deep in shine
That's polished slick
To look just right
I'd rather live a lifetime in the
Company of Fools

Within the strangest people
Truth can find the strangest home
So meet me in the village
Where all we idiots go

[Dance_Dance]

Actually, now that I think of it, there are several songs from Great Big Sea.  I'm sure this isn't a complete, but here's some more:

"England" , "Rocks of Merasheen" , "Straight to Hell" , "Old Polina" , "The River Driver" , "The Old Black Rum" , "The Mermaid" , "Graceful and Charming" , "Hangin' Johnny" , "Last Shanty" , and "Wave Over Wave."


I also wanted to put up "Captain Kidd" but I've heard this sung at Faires before, so I don't think it counts for this thread.  Most, if not all, of their songs can be found on YouTube.

[Poldugarian Warrior]

Ina Gadda Da Vida Iron Butterfly

[Hallie]

'The Road Goes On' from The Lord of the Rings musical...

There's a Road
Calling you to stray.
Step by step
Pulling you away.

Under Moon and Star
Take the Road
No matter how far.

Where it leads
No-one ever knows
Don't look back
Follow where it goes.
Far beyond the Sun
Take the Road
Wherever it runs.

The Road goes on
Ever ever on
Hill by hill
Mile by mile
Field by field
Stile by stile.
The Road goes on
Ever ever on

Great song...

[Poldugarian Warrior]

These are two Styx songs I came across this weekend while going through my album/vinyl collection, and they aren't bad. But, the lyrics are suited for renaissance.

Love in the Midnight

Boat on the River

Still movign through the collection, trying to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. Some albums are real good and have lots of listenable songs, and others are just so-so and I want to just unload them at a garage sale this summer.

[Eric the Ugly]

Well, I had a heaping handful in mind when I saw this thread title, but I see that Morgan Dreadlocke and some other folks already had them all covered. (Points for mentioning Journey of the Sorcerer, too. *thumbs up*)

I believe all I have left is Greenman by XTC.

[Eric the Ugly]

Since it's an instrumental and just has the right tone (I think): Drum Folk by Greenslade.

[Poldugarian Warrior]

The Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin, but it's really already done in the Ren style, but to be performed live at fest by a band, would be great to see. I'd throw a couple bucks in a basket or hat to see that.

[Ambios]

The Ship that Never Returned....done to the tune of the 60's folk classic "MTA" aka, The Man Who Never Returned"

[Welsh Wench]

Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin, it always conjures up images of Vikings or of anyone residing in dark snowy mountainous regions of Europe. It would sound good on acoustic instruments. I think someone may have mentioned this before, but just in case.

You have to love the Viking Kittens!

http://www.vikingkittens.com/

I think any song by Seals and Crofts would be a great ren-song but especially this one--

Life, so they say, is but a game and we let it slip away.
Love, like the Autumn sun, should be dyin' but it's only just begun.
Like the twilight in the road up ahead, they don't see just where we're goin'.
And all the secrets in the Universe, whisper in our ears
And all the years will come and go, take us up, always up.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.

Dreams, so they say, are for the fools and they let 'em drift away.
Peace, like the silent dove, should be flyin' but it's only just begun.
Like Columbus in the olden days, we must gather all our courage.
Sail our ships out on the open sea. Cast away our fears
And all the years will come and go, and take us up, always up.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.

So, I wanna laugh while the laughin' is easy. I wanna cry if it makes it worthwhile.
We may never pass this way again, that's why I want it with you.
'Cause, you make me feel like I'm more than a friend.
Like I'm the journey and you're the journey's end.
We may never pass this way again, that's why I want it with you, baby.

We may never pass this way again. We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again. We may never pass this way again.

[Ambios]

Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin, it always conjures up images of Vikings or of anyone residing in dark snowy mountainous regions of Europe. It would sound good on acoustic instruments. I think someone may have mentioned this before, but just in case.

You have to love the Viking Kittens!

http://www.vikingkittens.com/

I think any song by Seals and Crofts would be a great ren-song but especially this one--

Life, so they say, is but a game and we let it slip away.
Love, like the Autumn sun, should be dyin' but it's only just begun.
Like the twilight in the road up ahead, they don't see just where we're goin'.
And all the secrets in the Universe, whisper in our ears
And all the years will come and go, take us up, always up.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.

Dreams, so they say, are for the fools and they let 'em drift away.
Peace, like the silent dove, should be flyin' but it's only just begun.
Like Columbus in the olden days, we must gather all our courage.
Sail our ships out on the open sea. Cast away our fears
And all the years will come and go, and take us up, always up.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.

So, I wanna laugh while the laughin' is easy. I wanna cry if it makes it worthwhile.
We may never pass this way again, that's why I want it with you.
'Cause, you make me feel like I'm more than a friend.
Like I'm the journey and you're the journey's end.
We may never pass this way again, that's why I want it with you, baby.

We may never pass this way again. We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again. We may never pass this way again.

Thanks Wenchie!  One of my all time favorites, but don't get to hear it often.  Thanks for reminding me...and it WOULD make a great Rennie song!

[Poldugarian Warrior]

This is sort of a sad and heavy tune, but sometimes it's what's needed. Children of the Sea by Black Sabbath the Dio years. It would work acoustically an dwith some strings or woodwinds.