For anyone wishing to find gatherings of Filkers, try searching the following USA: Conchord Canada: Filkontario U.K.: Contabile; and/or Harmuni Europe: Fikcontinental

The earlier descriptions of filk were all valid, even the derogatory ones. Contrary to one post, most filkers do not object to their songs being sung, as long as they are attributed, but if you know the writer then asking is always a nice thought. If you can think of filk as being the folk songs of the future (i.e. 50 years after Captain Kirk dies [for the first or second time] songs about him may have passed into the aural tradition. Also any tunes that have been pinched from C20th composers will be a century or two out of copyright !)

Example: (tune pinched from Schoenberg's Les Miserables)

On my own, with no instrumental On my own, I sing of Science Fiction. I sing LOUD; or I sing soft and gentle, Yet every word I sing is clear, I'm careful of my diction.

On my own, with no amplification. No "more gain" to overpower your speaking. I need no ersatz reverberation, Th'acoustics of this room give me the sound that I am seeking.

On my own, with no reverb or echo, On my own, my words go heav'nward winging. On my own, forever singing solo, And if this song goes on much longer, surely I'll be singing- On my own...(hold & fade)

So, only one mention of Sf, well known tune (or part tune) words are all mine, and first done at the U.K. filk convention 1998. I had to persuade the tech crew to knock of the speakers for verse 2, the mike was left on just for the permanent record.