From: brgarwood@aol.com (BRgarwood)Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Help with SongDate: 6 Apr 1995 23:59:37 -0400
The proper name is Karaelia's Song, It was written by Master Don Iolo FitzOwen who resides in Brwyn Gwlad, Ansteorra (Austin, Tx)
There is a song with the same tune written by Iolo's students about him. If I can find it in my files I'll post it.BTW the words are correct. ============
I heard Brendan from Nordskogen sing a parody about Iolo, and was fortunate enough to have my tape recorder running. This Iolo must be a pretty special fellow to inspire such words.
Down in Brwyn Gwlad town lives a jolly good fellow
whos figure is really a comical sight, f
or his forhead is bald and his eyes will amaze you,
and his gold-colored codpiece is really quite bright.
He wears baggy pants, and a ragged old tunic
His shoes give his tootsies a room with a view.
And he acts very silly, and does antler dances
And answeres when summoned, by the name "Master Moo" (he and his wife moo at
each other)
His real name is Iolo, Don Iolo Fitzowen
His white sash and Laurel are both well desererved,
For he'll build you a crossbow like those in museums
Or thrash you at swashbuckling without reserve.
He's a shaper of wood, and of bone and of leather,
A shaper of souls with a word to the wise.
He has carved standing stones to remember the fallen,
and he'll sing you a song to bring tears to your eyes.
Of the Great Selke's (sp) bride
and a cruel lass name Jenny,
Karelia's lover and Merddyn's gay flute.
And the old standing stones
and a host of Welsh heros
Spring once more to life when he picks up his lute.
He's a craftsman, composer, a foole and a fighter,
A good friend to many, He'll come when you call.
And he'll dance in the garden, and sing in the moonlight
Like a nightingale piping in a green forest hall.
There it is, from memory, not having heard it for over a year, and still parts of it choke me up a bit. I hope I got it right.Berwyn Lord Berwyn AEthelbryght of Ackley, Midlands Herald Rudivale shire, Northshield, Midrealm
From: corrie@solutions.solon.com (Corrie Bergeron)Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Help with SongDate: 10 Apr 1995 06:42:26 GMT
Greetings, all! I am Brendan O Corraidhe, Permanent Friend of Iolo (therin lies a tale) and the composer of "Iolo's Song."
This is the tale of the song: I had known Don Iolo for a number of years, and held him then (as I do now) in high esteem. Although we never had a formal teacher-student relationship, I learned a great many things from him. The intricacies of a crossbow, any number of songs, and how to be both silly and dignified.
The song wrote itself while I was on the way from the Shire of the Shadowlands to Bryn Gwlad for an event. As I was leaving town, I thought, gee, it would be kind of neat to write a gentle parody of Iolo, and do it with his tune. Hmmm... And a line appeared. I mentally filed it away, but it was immediately joined by another, then another..within half a mile I had no choice but to take out pen and paper and start taking dictation. By the time I got to Brywn Gwlad a hour and a half later, the song was 90% complete. I finished it that night (It was a Friday) when I was awakened at 1:00 AM (or so I recall) by the final pieces.
Saturday night at feast I performed it. Master Don Iolo could do nothing but sit there and take it. He glared at me. he wiggled his ears. He bugged his eyes. I kept singing, unflappable. He put both his pinkies in his nostrils. I sang on. He withrew his pinkies and ceremoniously put them into his mouth, drawing it into a grimace.
At that I stumbled.
Later, he told me that he would fain sue me for libel except that I could prove
every word. And I can.
Berwyn, your memory is astonishing!
Corrie Bergeron Brendan O Corraidhe CIM OW OST HH MoSS EIEIO