Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1998 11:25:54 -0500 (EST)
From: mn13189@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU
Subject: Re: minstrel: filk, theft, taste and other points of argument
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Since posting my original message I have thought of a few other tid bits
for discussion:
On the Ewan MacColl/Ed Miller topic:  The particular song I was thinking
of was Ewan MacColl's "Manchester rambler" which Ed Miller rewrote as
"Edinburgh Rambler" and recorded on the CD of the same name.  He gives
credit for the song to "Ewan MacColl/E. Miller" and writes in the liner
notes, "I don't think Ewan MaColl would turn over in his grave that I
rewrote his song" (paraphrase).

On the comment that Burns/Scott/et all altering traditional songs are the
reason why we have no record of the originals today, I argue this.  If
Burns (or anyone) hears song X, and decides to rewrite it as song Y, and
then prints is as "to the tune of Song X" then we at least know that song
X existed.  If he had never written and published song Y, would we still
know of the existence of song X?

Lastly, I am aware that Phil Colclough is a professional musician, and has
copywrighted material.  But I am not.  So, when I perform my "Song For
Atlantia" based on his "Song for Ireland" am I really taking bread out of
his mouth?  How so?  I am performing this song only before (usually small)
SCA audiences.  I am not recording it.  In fact, by mentioning Phil when I
do my song, I am making many people aware of him that migh tnot otherwise.
But how would I be preventing him from selling records?

I think we need to examine just what it is we are looking at, and I offer
myself up as fodder for that purpose.  Here are two examples:

1)  For recording period music:  I have arranged, and published in the
Motley Crew, a version of "The Battle at Otterburn."  I don't have my
notes handy at the moment but I think I rememberthe original lyrics being
15th century (don't quote me) but it was within our period.  Now the
orginal was some 30 verses long.  I edited it down to scant more than 10.
I did this to make it easier to perform in an SCA context, so that more
people could hear it, perform it, learn it, appreciate it.  Was I in the
wrong?   Should I only perform this peice or record this peicein it's
entirety?

2)  My "Song for Atlantia."  Before we debate this further, let us define
exactly what the situation is.  I heard Phil C.'s song, "Song for
Ireland."  I really liked it.  I wanted to learn it.  And I thought, I
could easily make this applicable to my kingdom, and perform this in the
SCA.  Wouldn't that be neat?  So I did.  I have not recorded it.  I have
posted it on the Atlantian Mailing List (Merry Rose), and in the Motley
Crew, which about 50 people read on average.  I have sung it a few times
at events.  I have no plans to record it.  I have made no money off of it.
Whenever I posted lyrics or performed, I gave credit to Phil C.  I am a
traditional folk singer whose main venue is the SCA.  I perform
occasionally at Renn Fairs and Scottish Festivals, but as the nature of
this song is SCA specific, I will not perform it outside an SCA context.
I will not make money off of it.  Now, for the song:

SONG FOR ATLANTIA
by Matthew Newsome/Phil Colclough
tune:  "Song for Ireland" by Phil Colclough
The first two verses are altered versions of Phil's.  The last two are
largely my own.

Walking all the day
By tall towers where falcons build their nests
Golden wionged they fly
They know the call of freedom in their breasts
I saw your bright October sky
Your sombre stones from mountain to sea
Living on your eastern shore
Saw summer sunrise, asked for more
Stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Atlantia
[this verse is about 75% Phil.  I changed place names and geographic
features.  I changed "Silver winged" to "Golden winged" because the
falcons out here are more golden.  I added to "October sky" bit becuase
the skies in this area in October are especially breathtaking]

Talking all the day
With true friends who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news
And singing songs to pass the time away
[this is all Phil's.  It fit my concept of a good event perfectly.  Why
change it?]
We watched your champions dash and run
Their silver darting, dancing in the sun
Living on your eastern shore
Saw summer sunrise, asked for more
Stood by your Atlantic sea
And sang a song for Atlantia
[I changed the end of the verse to describe fighters.  Phil had decribed
fishing.  The structure is the same, though]

Laughing all the day
By old feilds where now the children play
Where once battle raged
Men died for causes that seemed so grand and gay
Now I stand this mountian top
I hear a voice calling, never stops
Living on your eastern shore
Saw summer sunrise, asked for more
Stood by your Atlantic Sea
And sang a song for Atlantia
[This verse is mine.  No Phil. The lines about the mountian top and
hearing a calling voice are inspired by Master Wystle's "Fair Lady
Atlantia", again, tying it into my Kingdom.  I consider this a tribute to
him, not a ripoff.]

Dreaming in the night
I saw a land that once I called my own
But in the morning light
I awoke in a land so far from home
Your rolling hills and raging seas
Friends' outstretched arms are waiting for me
Living on this western shore
Saw summer sunsets, asked for more
Standing by this peaceful sea
I sing a song for. . .
. . . Fair Lady Atlantia, my lady by the sea...
[Again, this verse is modeled after Phil's last verse, but is by and large
my own composition, except for the tribute to FLA at the end.]

So, do I claim this song as my own composition?  No, I share that.  I do
say it is my *version* of the song.  I like it.  It is fun to sing.  I
make no money off of it.  Now that the exact circumstances are laid out
and we know what we are talking about, feel free to fire away!

Aye,
Eogan

           "I brought ye to the ring.  Now dance best ye can."
    --------------<http://www3.wcu.edu/~mn13189/index.htm>------------
   Matthew Allen Newsome            |	    Lard Eogan Og Mac Labruinn
   curator/historical consultant    |       Sangster of Scotland&Atlantia
   Scottish Tartans Museum          |	    Chronicler, MSoB
   & Heritage Center	    	    |	    Companion of the Pearl
   http://intertekweb.com/tartans/  |	    Clan Og, SCA
   <tartans@dnet.net>               |       "IT'S ONLY A GAME!"
    --------------------"Bring Forrit The Tartan"---------------------


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