One Special Night at OVFF
by @cjk
Skirmish: my nights with ___ (@fairplay)Liner Notes
Last year (2024) I went to the Ohio Valley Filk Festival (OVFF) for the first time and since then I wanted to write a song about meeting two special 'filkers'. Then @wylddandelyon gave me 'Parrot' as the card from her Pathfinders Oracle Challenge and I knew this was the universe telling me to finally write it, but it needed @fairplay's skirmish prompt to finally kick me into gear.
#skirmish #pathfinders #filk #filkers #ovff #animals #personwithguitar #singersongwriter
Lyrics
One Special Night at OVFF
I sit here and listen to music the filk circle is in full swing there are guitars, a keyboard, a fiddle, a flute and when I know the chorus I sing
Sometimes there is a lovely little tweet which has its own special merit I never thought that we two would meet because this is Basil, the parrot
I saw him online, on Debora's shoulder he's quite the celebrity but he is here now less than 3 meters sitting in front of me
Chorus: My nights in filk circles always are spent with good music galore but this night at the OVFF I experienced so much more
About an hour ago Basil sat on my finger he's really a nice social bird he has made the round from filker to filker and more than one was deeply stirred
The circle goes on and I haven't played yet because I sit slightly apart Just now I cannot hold an instrument the reason sleeps close to my heart
For I am petting a ball python he's in my arms and my lap if I got it right his name is Saffron and I seem a good place for his nap
I really would like to play a song after all I brought plenty with me but getting up and leaving Saffron? No, I'm as content as I can be
Chorus: My nights in filk circles always are spent with good music galore but this night at the OVFF I experienced so much more
It was my first time at the OVFF and I don't think that I'll be back soon but meeting old and new friends here and a snake and a bird that was quite a boon
Chorus: My nights in filk circles always are spent with good music galore but this night at the OVFF I experienced so much more
(c) 24.02.2025 by C.J. Ueberall
Comments
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/20470.png){kind=avatar}
@gmcgath Thanks, Gary, for pointing out that Boa and Python are two diffrent snakes, I knew this, but was sure that's what Jan said Saffron was. But it was loud and I probably misheard the first word. I'm pretty sure she said python though. If I find out different I'll change it, for now he's a pretty python. ;-)
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/b2d8d18f-dfea-49f0-a008-d8c011f7ec42.png){kind=avatar}
You asked for grammar corrections. I don't see any problems, but several websites tell me a boa and a python are two different kinds of snakes. If you're planning to keep the song (and why not?) you might want to check which kind it was.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/b405cea6-bb00-40e0-b74c-0e1ed9da9c5a.png){kind=avatar}
…thank you for the ping - glad you found a melody for your memories in the form of lyrics to this song - very nice sensitive presentation - well done…
@sexybass @gmcgath @danielkelly @fairplay Thank you all for your kind words on "A Special Night at OVFF" It has now a tune, and I changed the lyrics a little. Please feel free to tell me if something is wrong with the grammar. @wylddandelyon I'm sure I'll see Debora at one of the Friends of Filk Bytes circle, I'm not sure about Jan (which I guess is Saffron's person? I'm terrible with names)
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/d87fe4c2-d1df-4e41-a01e-5dc82758142a.png){kind=avatar}
Fabulous son CJ and captured the experience and brings back fond memories. Well done my friend.
Yes, lots of great memories from OVFF! Somehow I didn't meet the snake.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/0e4cbcdd-94da-408e-824f-d8cf59b6b943.png){kind=avatar}
I was so happy to meet Basil at OVFF in 2023 (and Deborah of course). I must confess I didn't pet the snake though. Lovely memories captured in song!
…great that you could meet two challenges with one song - a lot was going on that night obviously - no sudden moves now so the animals do not get scared away - lloking forward to the melody around those lyrics full of images…
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/f4d24472-abc4-4ab1-9d7b-c192139bc6be.png){kind=avatar}
Awwwwww! This is adorable. I look forward to hearing it soon. We’ll have to figure how best to share this with Debora and Jan.
![[FAWM]](/static/img/demoduck.svg)
I've met the snake before but I too was thrilled to finally meet Basil and get to let him perch on my hand. What a friendly bird! He did make that circle very special. Best excuse ever for not playing your instrument! Let me know if you are going to debut this with Debora on March 1st and I'll try to be there at the right time.