Lyr Req: Karelia's Song (David Watson)

Subject: Fool and the Lady
From: cb
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 11:38 AM

Does any one have the lyrics to a song called (I think) The Fool and the Lady. Beautiful music, sentiment, etc. I can't give you any other help other than the story is about a medieval lady who falls in love with the court fool (again, I think). Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fool and the Lady
From: GUEST,A nightengale piping in green forest halls
Date: 12 May 05 - 07:01 AM

It's been nearly six years since this request was posted. If the poster is still looking, I can help. And I want some help in return!

The song is usually entitled "Karelia's Song," and the lyrics are widely available on the net by referencing that title. Check out: http://www.geocities.com/[e-mail]/msb_59.txt, where I found lyrics and guitar chords.

Now, here's the help I need ...

I was given a homemade tape with this song on it 12 years ago, and I have no idea who the artist is, or what album/tape/CD it comes from. BUT, it is entitled "The Fool and the Lady" rather than "Karelia's Song." Since the latter is the usual title, it is very possible that you and I have been listening to the very same recording -- and that you can tell me the name of the woman who sings the song, and the name of the album.

Can you?

Subject: Lyr/Chord Add: KARELIA'S SONG (David Watson)
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 May 05 - 10:27 AM

KARELIA'S SONG
Mot's Songbook

         C        G          Am             Em
  1. The baron of Eastmarch's fair sorceress daughter
        F          C               G
  Was enamoured unseemly with the fool of her lord
              C              G                 Am            Em
  Though her duke was deemed handsome he was a soul vain and petty
         F           C        G             C
  And a dark mind as empty as last summer's gourd
                       G            Am           Em
  And the fool he was clever and he sang for the lady
         F            C          G
  Like a nightengale piping in a deep forest grove
          C           G             Am       Em
  But his station was lowly and his body was aging
         F           C          G          C
  Their love was as hopeless as if he were stone
  
             C        G             Am           Em
  2. So the lady has led them, the fool and her husband,
         F            C            G             
  To her cool secret garden by the midsummer's moon
            C             G              Am           Em
  And she's danced them a spell there of shifting and changing
       F             C          G        C
  And left them dumbfounded by sorcery's boon
                        G              Am         Em
  She has left the fool crying to the gods of his fathers
           F           C               G
  She has led her duke laughing to her high chamber door
            C              G              Am              Em
  And she's kept him there softly through two days bright dawnings
             F           C          G          C
  While her servants all gossip in wonder and awe
  
              C           G              Am        Em
  3. Now the fool died in madness saying he was ensorcelled
           F         C            G
  And the duke only smiled him a sad secret smile
          C               G          Am           Em
  Now the duke rules his people with wit and good humour
      F             C             G             C
  And sings for the lady like the nightengale's song
                            G            Am             Em
  And she's borne him five children, two sons and three daughters
          F                  C            G
  They've grown straight and handsome and sorcerous all
           C            G          Am          Em
  And they dance in the garden and sing in the moonlight
       F            C         G            C
  Like nightengales piping in green forest halls

Can't be of any help about the artist.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fool and the Lady
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 12 May 05 - 10:47 AM

I'd suggest asking at rec.org.sca

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fool and the Lady
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 05 - 10:50 AM

Music and Karelia's Song lyrics copyright 1980 David Watson

mp3 @ http://rocky.itasca.net/~corrie/mp3/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fool and the Lady
From: GUEST,cb
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 10:53 PM

I can't believe it. I just happened to stummble on the name Karelia's Song and tried to find the lyrics on Mudcat. It has been seven years since I made the original post. To the person who responded in 2005 - thanks. The person/group I heard perform this song was Ceili's Muse who became Six Mile Bridge and is now the Maggie Drennon Band. I found a listing for the CD "The Dark Lady" by Ceili's Muse which has "Korelia's Song" (spelled with an "o" - that was not a typo. I don't have a copy of the CD and it appears to not be available any longer but I found a recording by Lisa Theriot on "A Turning of the Seasons" CD. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Karelia's Song (Iolo Fitzowen)
From: GUEST,cm
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 04:24 AM

If it's a tape you have, It might also be the original Ceili's Muse release, "One Voice." Ceili's Muse was initially a duet comprised of Mary Maddux and Stephany Bingham (later Stephany Freeman and later still Maggie Drennon), which became something of a minor legend in the Houston celtic/sca scene during the late 80's, early 90's. I don't recall that there was ever a CD pressing of "One Voice."

Mary and Stephany traded off singing duties, while the guitar was almost all Mary. (I have photos somewhere of Stephany holding a guitar and looking very silly with it.)

If the version you heard was heavily produced with a lot of reverb, it's the "Dark Lady" version with Maggie singing (released in 1995, after the duet split and Maggie took the name). The "One Voice" version is much simpler, with a more complex voice ... that's Mary.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Karelia's Song (David Watson)
From: GUEST,H.Brummack
Date: 12 Feb 10 - 11:49 AM

On the same tune: Iolo's song:

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 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.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Karelia's Song (David Watson)
From: GUEST,the first Ceilis Muse
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 10:57 AM

Hi there!
   My name is Mary Maddux, and I first learned Karelia's song in the SCA. I could not help but fall in love with it! I formed Celie's Muse and Stephany Bingham/Maggie Drennon and I sang it areound Houston at our gigs.
   The recording Dark Lady was created after I left the band, It may be either Melanie O'Sullivan who sings it, or Maggie. Anders Johansen is the main guitarist.... Hope this bit of history helps! I so love this song, and admire the creator of it...
Mary