Song Parodies -> "Vassals Insincere"

Original Song Title:

"Castles in the Air"

^(MP3)

Original Performer:

"Vassals Insincere"

Parody Written by:

The Lyrics

This is the B-side of 'Vincent' , and an excellent song - all you oldsters - dig out your 45s! I am realtively certain there was never a Manor at Poldu (if there was it would not have supported under-tenants), but hey - it was the only place that fit the rhyme! I chose the modern spelling of 'churls' over 'ceorls' for ease of pronunciation, but I kept the ancient spelling of 'donjon'.

And if I'm few pence shy
You can tell the Lord of Poldu
That I'm mired with vassals insincere
I've got a fief I want these churls to clear
But vassals just leave in disrepair...

Spilled the Muscatine
Sewed the barley with the rye
The reeve's untrue
I think he sold my swine
Their tasks are few yet bailiff they defy
With love boons too these serfs never comply

Knaves see - numbers were double 'fore the Plague
I've ten knights fees
And I must pay by Lent again
God's wounds! - the season was quite short of rain
I'll slap the under-steward
In the pillory again

And now come Michaelmas
My fee of hundreds in the farding
Is untilled and thievery is rife
I'll fill the donjon tower if they gripe
I'm gentry born, but I tupped the mummer's wife

For I am only part of this Domesday veneration
With my thralls enjoyed a dalliance
In squire's eye, I intercept sly glance
I go to joust - I find a rusty lance

Waive fees? Of all the honey and the grain?
Just plow you niefs! -
I'll owe his Grace the Earl again...
Quell your insipid whining - don't complain
I'll reap ill reprimands
From my noble suzerain

So if I'm few pence shy
You can tell the Lord of Poldu
That I'm mired with vassals insincere
I've got a fief I want these churls to clear
My vassals just cleared off to the Faire

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sloatead - February 03, 2004 - Report this comment

pacing was slightly off, but i gave you 5's anyway, not an easy song to parody

mandamoo - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Love the medieval theme ! I'm impressed.....once again. :-)

wandlimb - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Very impressive! I'd like to hear Don McLean singing your lyrics, although I suppose any singer who can regularly wrap his tongue around four and five syllable words (concentration/anticipation/infatuation - Name that tune!) shouldn't have any trouble.

Meriadoc - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Thanks everyone - I knew it wouldn't get too many votes, so I am happy to see a few.
Sloatead - I discoverd there are two versions of this song - the one I downloaded (too lazy to dig out the record) was considerably slower than the version I was used to, and paced a bit oddly. I just did the original faster version in my head, when I played the other it was indeed a bit off.
Moo, thanks as always - I knew you would know this one!
Wandlimb, I know the song you are referring to, but I will let Pippin guess!

Peregrin - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Sounds very much to me like "If We Try" by Mr McLean! What do I win?

wandlimb - February 07, 2004 - Report this comment

YOU WIN..... (drumroll) ...the satisfaction of knowing that your brain is an Equal Opportunity Blender that processes both obscure and popular songs without distinction, to be served up by request at a moment's notice. Now THAT'S some prize (and some praise, in case you didn't recognize it!)

Peregrin - February 09, 2004 - Report this comment

Thanks! I think! Once I work out what you are saying I will be sure, heh heh! Luckily, I have Merry's brain to set me straight in times of trouble....

Adagio - November 06, 2004 - Report this comment

(ABC) Very good...love the language. 5's

Stuart McArthur - November 17, 2004 - Report this comment

(ABC) I certainly know and love the OS, M and P, and tried a parody to it once, which is occupying some bytes in the depths of my hard- drive somewhere.......Your hallmark is attention to detail - I can imagine you two directing a period movie that is detail-perfect - as always a delight to read - 555 - what pacing problems????

Johnny D - November 17, 2004 - Report this comment

(ABC) Man, you two sure know how to paint with words, syllables, and phonemes...you deserve the Amiright Vocabulary Prize!

Jared - November 17, 2004 - Report this comment

(ABC) DKTOS, but Gud Luch, Ladlasses!

Paul Robinson - November 27, 2004 - Report this comment

(ABC) not many parodies where I have to keep opening up my dictionary so often...but it was worth it...5's ~ ~ ~

Phil Alexander - November 28, 2004 - Report this comment

I'faith, I talkest like this a goodly proportion of the time. Forsooth. :-)

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