A Song of Spite

[jtthomas]

Also known as: a fiddle tune got stuck in my head, and the name was too good not to make the pun. Then another pun showed up, because it’s also a Morris dance tune. To top it all off, I was sitting in the theatre for an hour waiting to be cleared to turn on the preshow light cue... and I got bored.

Edit, because it seems I might need to clarify: that title is the actual title.

The Girl I Left Behind Me, or: I Studied the Blade

The hour past, I left a maid,
The briefest of farewells taking.
Her family’s tears my steps delayed
As though their hearts were breaking.
That hated name, be cursed or blest,
Now breaks the vows that bind me—
And in my heart, I clean the mess
Of the girl I left behind me.

Soon from the East I’ll bear away
To write a better story,
And now so sets the sun of day
Taking with it former glory.
Finding now within my sight
A role not then assigned me.
My own way through this maze I fight,
Not the girl’s I left behind me.

Though not my name her banner bore
All through her deeds of daring,
Her name’s now of the days of yore,
Her rosy cheeks done glaring.
And though my battle’s not yet won
While her family entwines me,
They must admit I am their son,
Not the girl I left behind me.

That dame of France was fond and free
And she was once so willing,
But no more for that homeland she—
Instead for elsewhere thrilling.
To find a land that brings a smile
As I hope respect finds me—
For now my heart walks many a mile
From the girl I left behind me.

Though lonesome now, I cross the hill
And also the moor so sedgy
To find my future as I will—
My heart beats firm and steady.
I seek a life so fair and gay
So it might soon remind me
The secret I so tried to say
As the girl I left behind me.

Comments

[madfilkentist]

I like that twist on the title!

[mdlbear]

So do I -- this is very well done, and the tag line is a great bit of misdirection.

[jtthomas]

Thanks! It's the original tagline, dating back at least to an 1815 fife and fiddle book. I just saw it, laughed, and knew I had to write it.

[jtthomas]

Thank you! When I saw the title while looking for fife and fiddle practice material, I knew I needed to look into it. Lo and behold, it's at least a couple hundred years old, and I instantly knew it was too good a pun to pass up.

[mdlbear]

Sometimes the best one just fall into your lap.

[fred_mouse]

That is wonderful.