Non-Renaissance Songs That Would Make Great Faire Songs

[nadya]

Fascinating thread! Here are my suggestions:

Cat Stevens' My Lady D'Arbanville:

My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I'll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill ... Yes you will be my fill

My Lady D'Arbanville, why does it grieve me so?
But your heart seems so silent
Why do you breathe so low? Why do you breathe so low?

My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I'll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill ... Yes you will be my fill

My Lady D'Arbanville, you look so cold tonight
Your lips feel like winter
Your skin has turned to white; Your skin has turned to white

My Lady D'Arbanville, Why do you sleep so still?
I'll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill ... yes you will be my fill

My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you greet me so?
But your heart seems so silent
Why do you breathe so low? Why do you breathe so low?

I loved you my Lady, though in your grave you lie
I'll always be with you
This rose will never die, This rose will never die

I loved you my Lady, though in your grave you lie
I'll always be with you
This rose will never die, This rose will never die

and

Dead Can Dance's "I am stretched on your grave"

I am stretched on your grave
And will lie here forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure they'd not sever
My apple tree, my brightness,
It's time we were together
For I smell of the Earth
And I'm worn by the weather.

I am stretched on your grave
and will lie there forever
if your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
my apple tree my brightness
it's time we were together
for I smell of the earth
and am worn by the weather

when my family thinks
that I'm safe in my bed
from night until morning
I am stretched at your head
calling out to the air
with tears hot and wild
my grief for the girl
that I loved as a child

do you remember
the night we were lost
in the shade of the blackthorn
and the chill of the frost
thanks be to Jesus
we did what was right
and your maiden head still
is your pillar of light

the priests and the friars
they hold me in dread
because I still love you
my love and you're dead
And would still be your shelter
through rain and from storm
and with you in your cold grave
I cannot sleep warm

so I'm stretched on your grave
and will lie there forever
if you hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
my apple tree my brightness
it's time we were together
for I smell of the earth
and am worn by the weather.

[sitarserpent]

It would be pretty cool to hear some Rachid Taha songs at faire... anybody hear heard of him?

[Seleyna Eirian]

Fascinating thread! Here are my suggestions:

Cat Stevens' My Lady D'Arbanville:

My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I'll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill ... Yes you will be my fill

My Lady D'Arbanville, why does it grieve me so?
But your heart seems so silent
Why do you breathe so low? Why do you breathe so low?

My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I'll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill ... Yes you will be my fill

My Lady D'Arbanville, you look so cold tonight
Your lips feel like winter
Your skin has turned to white; Your skin has turned to white

My Lady D'Arbanville, Why do you sleep so still?
I'll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill ... yes you will be my fill

My Lady D'Arbanville, why do you greet me so?
But your heart seems so silent
Why do you breathe so low? Why do you breathe so low?

I loved you my Lady, though in your grave you lie
I'll always be with you
This rose will never die, This rose will never die

I loved you my Lady, though in your grave you lie
I'll always be with you
This rose will never die, This rose will never die

and

Dead Can Dance's "I am stretched on your grave"

I am stretched on your grave
And will lie here forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure they'd not sever
My apple tree, my brightness,
It's time we were together
For I smell of the Earth
And I'm worn by the weather.

I am stretched on your grave
and will lie there forever
if your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
my apple tree my brightness
it's time we were together
for I smell of the earth
and am worn by the weather

when my family thinks
that I'm safe in my bed
from night until morning
I am stretched at your head
calling out to the air
with tears hot and wild
my grief for the girl
that I loved as a child

do you remember
the night we were lost
in the shade of the blackthorn
and the chill of the frost
thanks be to Jesus
we did what was right
and your maiden head still
is your pillar of light

the priests and the friars
they hold me in dread
because I still love you
my love and you're dead
And would still be your shelter
through rain and from storm
and with you in your cold grave
I cannot sleep warm

so I'm stretched on your grave
and will lie there forever
if you hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
my apple tree my brightness
it's time we were together
for I smell of the earth
and am worn by the weather.

"Lady D'Arbanville" has actually already been done by Tartanic. It's a fantastic song. I didn't even know that it was done by someone other than them. Check out their version sometime. It's my favorite song by them

[Morgan Dreadlocke]

I wrangled a spot in a Grand Ole Opry variety gig next weekend.  Gonna do  "Southern Cross" (Steven Stills) with a piratey accent. In garb too



Got on a boat headin' for southern islands
Sailing a reach before a followin' sea.
She was makin' for the trades on the outside,
And the downhill run to Papeete bay
Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making waves
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you.
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away.
  Chorus
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'.
What heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten.
I have been around the world,
Lookin' for that woman,girl,
You know she knows,  love can endure.
And you know it will.

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You'll understand now why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small.
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day.
So I'm sailing for tomorrow, my dreams are a dyin'.
And my love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain.
I have my ship, and all her flags are a flyin'
She is all that I have left, and music is her name.
  Chorus
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'.
What heaven brought you and me, cannot be forgotten.
I have been around the world,
Lookin' for that woman,girl,
You know she knows love can endure.
And you know it will.

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do.
You will survive being bested.  Somebody fine
will come along, make me forget about loving you.
In the Southern Cross.

[Rapier Half-Wit]

I'm surprised that noone has mentioned anything by Blackmores Night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZxaw6tMbAw

[Athena]

It would be pretty cool to hear some Rachid Taha songs at faire... anybody hear heard of him?

Yes! I love his version of Ya Rayah, that's one of the most beautiful songs I've heard.

[bran_gray]

Used to play a game that still tugs at my heart strings whenever I think about it.  This is one of my favorite songs off of it with the lyrics added.  I plan on having this played at my wedding (just the instrumental).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTgGV5YeraE

[Leneas Distara]

I am glad someone said Southern Cross, there are other CSN/CSNY songs that would work well.

Guinevere

Guinevere had green eyes
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
When she'd walk down through the garden
In the morning after it rained

Peacocks wandered aimlessly
Underneath an orange tree
Why can't she see me?

Guinevere drew pentagrams
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
Late at night when she thought
That no one was watching at all
She shall be free

As she turns her gaze, down the slope
To the harbor where I lay
Anchored for a day

Guinevere had golden hair
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
Streaming out when we'd ride
Through the warm wind down by the bay
Yesterday

Seagulls circle endlessly
I sing in silent harmony
We shall be free

Helplessly Hoping

Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers nearsby
Awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses of gentle true spirit
he runs wishing he could fly
only to trip at the sound of good-bye

Wordlessly watching he waits by the window and wonders
at the empty place inside

Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams he worries
did he hear a good-bye or even

Hello

They are one person
They are too/two alone
They are three together
They are for/four each other

Stand by the stairway you'll see something certain to tell you
confusion has its cost

Love isn't lying its loose in a lady who lingers
saying she is lost

And choking on hello

They are one person
They are too/two alone
They are three together
They are for/four each other

Also tons of Grateful Dead tunes would work,

Jack-a-Roe

There was a wealthy merchant, in London he did dwell
He had a Beautiful daughter, the truth to you we'll tell
Oh the truth to you we'll tell

She had sweethearts a plenty, and men of high degree
But none but Jack the sailor, her true love ever be
Oh her true love ever be

Jackie's gone a sailing, with trouble on his mind
He's left his native country and his darling girl behind
Oh his darling girl behind

She went down to a tailor shop and dressed in man's array
She climbed on board a vessel to convey herself away
Oh convey herself away

Before you get on board sir, your name we'd like to know
She smiled on her countenance, they called me Jack-A-Roe
Oh they called me Jack-A-Roe

I see your waist is slender, your fingers they are small
Your cheeks too red and rosy to face the cannonball
Oh to face the cannonball

I know my waist's to slender, my fingers they are small
but it would not make me tremble to see ten thousand fall
Oh to see ten thousand fall

The war soon being over she went and looked around
among the dead and wounded her darling boy she found
Oh her darling boy she found

She picked him up on in her arms and carried him to the town
she sent for a physician to quickly heal his wounds
Oh to quickly heal his wounds

This couple they got married so well they did agree
This couple they got married so why not you and me?
Oh why not you and me?
Oh why not you and me?

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

I'm surprised that noone has mentioned anything by Blackmores Night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZxaw6tMbAw

I think maybe Blackmore's Night is a given.  If you ever get a chance to see them, by all means do it!!

A band I heard recently has some songs that would fit quite well - Nickel Creek.  I also agree on the many CS&N

[Butch]

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) by Looking Glass would be nice to hear

[Lady Nicolette]

And of course, there's The Byrds "The Renaissance Fair..."

I think that maybe I'm dreaming...

I smell cinnamon and spices
I hear music everywhere
All around kaleidoscope of color
I think that maybe I'm dreaming...

Maids pass gracefully in laughter
Wine coloured flowers in their hair
Last call from lands I've never been to
I think that maybe I'm dreaming...

Some flash on a soda of prism
Bright jewels on the ladies flashing
Eyes catch on a shiny prism

Hear ye the crying of the vendors
Fruit for sale wax candles for to burn
Fires flare soon it will be night fall
I think that maybe I'm dreaming...

[bradenmac]

Clutch- Drink to the Dead

If knee-deep in cat nip
At the old icebox
I recommend you whistle
And give the box three knocks
Should you be so lucky
To hear whisperin'
It is an invitation
For you to leap in

May you go marching in three measure time
Dressed up as paychecks, drunk to the nines
Swing from the rafters
Shouting those songs
Gone unsung for far too long

If boxing your shadow
At the wall full of moss
And antlers approach you
Then I am at a loss

May you go marching in three measure time
Dressed up as paychecks, drunk to the nines
Swing from the rafters
Shouting those songs
Gone unsung for far too long

Drink to the dead all you still alive
We shall join them in good time
Should you go crossin' that silvery brook
It's best to leap before you look
Drink to the dead all you still alive
We shall join them in good time
Should you go crossin' that silvery brook
It's best to leap before you look

If surrounded by toadstools
At the old green glen
I'm afraid there is little
That I can recommend
Save all of your courage
And sincere prayer
And where you go-a treadin'
Take the utmost care

So let us
Drink to the dead all you still alive
We shall join them in good time
Should you go crossin' that silvery brook
It's best to leap before you look
Drink to the dead all you still alive
We shall join them in good time
Should you go crossin' that silvery brook
It's best to leap before you look

[sitarserpent]

It would be pretty cool to hear some Rachid Taha songs at faire... anybody hear heard of him?

Yes! I love his version of Ya Rayah, that's one of the most beautiful songs I've heard.

Athena, you rock!

[Poldugarian Warrior]

Safety Dance, I think the name of the band is Men With Hats. Of course the lyrics could be changed up a bit, but that beat is very good, very similiar to most medieval and renaissance structured dance tunes. And the loud off keu key board could be played by a harmonium or a penny whistle.

[Fugli]

Here's one that I've been known to break into at times.

Zor and Zam
By Bill Chadwick and John Chadwick
performed by the Monkees

The king of Zor, he called for war
And the king of Zam, he answered.
They fashioned their weapons one upon one
Ton upon ton, they called for war at the rise of the sun.

Out went the call to one and to all
That echoed and rolled like the thunder.
Trumpets and drums, roar upon roar
More upon more.
Rolling the call of "Come now to war."

Throughout the night they fashioned their might
With right on the side of the mighty.
They puzzled their minds plan upon plan
Man upon man
And at dying of dawn the great war began.

They met on the battlefield banner in hand.
They looked out across the vacant land.
And they counted the missing, one upon one,
None upon none.
The war it was over before it begun.

Two little kings playing a game.
They gave a war and nobody came.
And nobody came.
And nobody came.
And nobody came.