Feb 2022 s021922 skirmish irish snake fox chickens acoustic-one-take ballad
An Irish-American snake warns the chickens about the red fox.
Skirmish Theme/topic: a song or instrumental for St Patrick's Day (March 17th), eg something Irish sounding or lyrics about Ireland. Even vaguely Irish sounding, or lyric mention counts :)
https://fawm.org/forums/topic/12757/
Listen up, ye chickens
I’m sorry if you’re scared
I didn’t mean to startle you,
but you must get prepared.
For I sense trouble coming
I’d know it anywhere
Oh, they drove me out of Ireland,
but the Red Fox still lives there.
I remember when it started
but that time I caught on late
I was minding my own business
as I’m sure you can relate
I was working in the tall grass
while my wife tended our eggs
when I spotted in the clearing
a quartet of furry legs
A nose came down from heaven
and I was taken aback
two eyes lit up above it
and it coolly said “Relax,
I am Robin of [Locksley],
and I’ve come to make a deal.
I’d gladly share my riches
if you two help me steal.
The farm up over yonder,
is a bit more like a zoo.
If you help me take the chickens,
There’ll be ample mice for you.”
At the time that sounded
like a deal we’d like to make.
But I soon learned that foxes
can outwit a simple snake.
He had us take the front door,
to distract the farmer man,
while he went to the chickens
and he took his share of them.
He was supposed to take the heat off,
by then running up the road.
But he stole off through the forest,
and he left us there alone.
My wife and I then scrambled,
and I somehow slipped away.
But the sound of that man’s shotgun
is still echoing today.
I’ll miss my love forever,
and she’s always in my thoughts.
So I must, in her sweet memory,
warn you lot about the fox.
For I sense trouble coming
I’d know it anywhere
Oh, they drove me out of Ireland,
but the Red Fox still lives there.
@vainhirvain Feb 2022
This is a hit! From the first moment on it keeps my attention nailed! Stays interesting all the way, first verses I'm trying to figure out who is talking to whom, then suddenly the Robin of Locksley from the Disney cartoon comes along, which totally blew my away! From the first line on your singing sounds like a warning sign (and I mean it in a good way!!! ). I love how the story was constructed in a proper ballad style, the end referring back to the beginning. Superb job! Edit: Oh, and the possible symbolism I didn't even begin to grasp until I read these comments of other fawmers.
@sheilerk Feb 2022
Oh, such a sad story! But, full of angst and a good moral.
I liked the line "I was minding my own business
as I’m sure you can relate" as the lead-in to his harrowing tale.
@pearlmanhattan Feb 2022
Excelent story! I enjoyed the read and the listen. Well done - beautiful lyrics and great presentation. Thank you!
@whispermouse Feb 2022
You definitely captured an Irish-feeling story song. Really awesome St. Patrick tie-in, and you really drive the knife home in the third-to-last verse. I think this is one of your strongest lyrics this year - great skirmish!
@porrectus Feb 2022
Thats a great story. Great soulful singing. I always chicken out on story songs. Sorry. Really great skirmish.
@erbaer Feb 2022
I really enjoyed this. Great storytelling and singing. Heck of a skirmish. Well done!
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Incredibly detailed story for a skirmish! Well done!
Of course the Red Fox is the English army, is it not? And the snake the Irish speakers :-)
@wylddandelyon Feb 2022
A well-told story. But I wanted the farmer to miss both snakes!
@andrea Feb 2022
So that is what happened to snakes in Ireland I love this story. I didn't expect the sad ending but enjoyed it just the same. A well-done song, especially in an hour! Nice skirmish.
@keithcuts Feb 2022
Quarter of furry legs - amazing line
Fun folk tale in a song
Well
Done!
@tcelliott Feb 2022
Oh, wow. What a great story. You did a great job on such a short notice. I really dig this tale, sad though it is.
@mikeskliar Feb 2022
wow, this is quite the tale, really well done and involved! nice work!
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
Awww so sad :( This is so sweet and cute, and yet so sad at the same time.
Very good oblique take on the skirmish theme. I enjoyed my listen, thank you :)
ps I love the idea of an Irish American snake lol
@corinnecurcio Feb 2022
What a great story! Well written and played.