FAWM: "One Special Night at OVFF"

One Special Night at OVFF

4 days ago by @cjk

Skirmish: my nights with ___ (@fairplay)

One Special Night at OVFF

cjk

00:00

Liner Notes

Last year (2024) I went to the Ohio Valley Filk Festival (OVFF) for the first time and since then I wanted to write a song about meeting two special 'filkers'. Then @wylddandelyon gave me 'Parrot' as the card from her Pathfinders Oracle Challenge and I knew this was the universe telling me to finally write it, but it needed @fairplay's skirmish prompt to finally kick me into gear.

#skirmish #pathfinders #filk #filkers #ovff #animals #personwithguitar #singersongwriter

Lyrics

One Special Night at OVFF

I sit here and listen to music
the filk circle is in full swing
there are guitars, a keyboard, a fiddle, a flute
and when I know the chorus I sing

Sometimes there is a lovely little tweet
which has its own special merit
I never thought that we two would meet
because this is Basil, the parrot

I saw him online, on Debora's shoulder
he's quite the celebrity
but he is here now less than 3 meters
sitting in front of me

Chorus:
My nights in filk circles always are spent
with good music galore
but this night at the OVFF
I experienced so much more

About an hour ago Basil sat on my finger
he's really a nice social bird
he has made the round from filker to filker
and more than one was deeply stirred

The circle goes on and I haven't played yet
because I sit slightly apart
Just now I cannot hold an instrument
the reason sleeps close to my heart

For I am petting a pretty python
he's in my arms and my lap
if I got it right his name is Saffron
and I seem a good place for his nap

I really would like to play a song
after all I brought plenty with me
but getting up and leaving Saffron?
No, I'm as content as I can be

Chorus:
My nights in filk circles always are spent
with good music galore
but this night at the OVFF
I experienced so much more

It was my first time at the OVFF
and I don't think that I'll be back soon
but meeting old and new friends here
and a snake and a bird
that was quite a boon

Chorus:
My nights in filk circles always are spent
with good music galore
but this night at the OVFF
I experienced so much more

(c) 24.02.2025 by C.J. Ueberall

Comments

@janeg 12h

I've met the snake before but I too was thrilled to finally meet Basil and get to let him perch on my hand. What a friendly bird! He did make that circle very special. Best excuse ever for not playing your instrument! Let me know if you are going to debut this with Debora on March 1st and I'll try to be there at the right time.

@cjk 13h

@gmcgath Thanks, Gary, for pointing out that Boa and Python are two diffrent snakes, I knew this, but was sure that's what Jan said Saffron was. But it was loud and I probably misheard the first word. I'm pretty sure she said python though. If I find out different I'll change it, for now he's a pretty python. ;-)

@gmcgath 1d

You asked for grammar corrections. I don't see any problems, but several websites tell me a boa and a python are two different kinds of snakes. If you're planning to keep the song (and why not?) you might want to check which kind it was.

@fairplay 2d

…thank you for the ping - glad you found a melody for your memories in the form of lyrics to this song - very nice sensitive presentation - well done…

@cjk 2d

@sexybass @gmcgath @danielkelly @fairplay
Thank you all for your kind words on "A Special Night at OVFF"
It has now a tune, and I changed the lyrics a little. Please feel free to tell me if something is wrong with the grammar.
@wylddandelyon I'm sure I'll see Debora at one of the Friends of Filk Bytes circle, I'm not sure about Jan (which I guess is Saffron's person? I'm terrible with names)

@sexybass 2d

Fabulous son CJ and captured the experience and brings back fond memories. Well done my friend.

@gmcgath 3d

Yes, lots of great memories from OVFF! Somehow I didn't meet the snake.

@danielkelly 3d

I was so happy to meet Basil at OVFF in 2023 (and Deborah of course). I must confess I didn't pet the snake though. Lovely memories captured in song!

@fairplay 3d

…great that you could meet two challenges with one song - a lot was going on that night obviously - no sudden moves now so the animals do not get scared away - lloking forward to the melody around those lyrics full of images…