Come to the Faire
Tune: Is Fada Liom Uaim Í
(trad)
Lyrics copyright
1997 Mary Bertke
Oh, come to the faire
all ye maidens and knights everywhere
Let false vows be broken and witty words spoken
in ways so rare.
Come dance on the plain
for a few lusty hours remain
while all the lads bound and the lasses around
sing the old refrain.
Come all who despair
Come out of your caves everywhere
Let joy light inspire you and all you desire you
find waiting right there.
Oh come as you are
both scholars and men from the bar
Come rogue, come physician, attorney, musician,
come from afar.
Come poet and priest
come those who are granted the least
Come actor, come painter, come fine lady fainter
and join the feast.
Oh, come to the Faire,
All ye maidens and knights everywhere.
Come dance and come play on this glorious day –
Will we see you there?
I wrote this song in 1997 while working at a Renaissance festival. I had listed to a tape of Gaelic songs, one tune of which was particularly infectious. I wrote words to sing to the tune because I couldn't learn the original.
I claim no responsibility for the following verses. Others apparently agree with me that this tune is infectious. I happen to find these funny, though I'm sure certain people would not be. I approve of the Shakespearian apology in the last verse.
In days of yore
men sang of all that came before
So let’s sing of the fighting, disease, lack of writing,
the blood, guts and gore.
For Pete Carroll’s gain
we must work in the cold pouring rain
though all crops be blighted, tornados be sighted,
we must remain.
Oh do not despair
of the flies and the dust in the air
Just breathe when you must and feel safe in the trust
that you will repair.
Oh do not feel wronged
by the small jests I make in this song
Take delight in each day as you go on your way
and you hum this song.