Tales From SYL Ranch – 2017-03-05

An early document about filk songs.
An early document about filk songs.

On Sunday’s Tales From SYL Ranch, we bring you a generous collection of filk songs.

Wikipedia defines filk music as a musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction/fantasy fandom and a type of fan labor. The genre has been active since the early 1950s, and played primarily since the mid-1970s.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy says that filk music is the greatest achievement in the history of lifekind.  It is creative, often amusing, and a balm for the soul.

I’ve filled the entire two hours, such that there isn’t any room for even introductions.

The tracklist is:

  • “Banned From Argo” by Leslie Fish and the Dehorn Crew.  This is from my private collection, from a 1977 LP.  The sound quality leaves everything to be desired.
  • “The Saga Begins Live” by “Weird Al” Yankovic
  • “PanGalactic Gargle Blaster Blues” by Diana Gallagher
  • “The Hero Of Canton” by Bandit Jack Potty
  • “The Chef They Call Jayne” by Tom Smith
  • “I’m On Firefly” by Tom Smith
  • “The Engineer’s Hymn” by Bill Boyd
  • “Where, Oh Where, Has C’Thulhu Gone” by Leslie Fish
  • “Bones’ Song” by Bill Mills
  • “Luke, Don’t Kiss Your Sister” by Captain Bran
  • “He’s Dead, Jim” by Julia Ecklar
  • “Waking Up Jedi” by Tom Smith
  • X-Minus One:  “The Green Hills Of Earth”
  • “Highly Illogical” by Leonard Nimoy
  • “The Tribble Is a Fuzzy Beast” by Leslie Fish
  • “The U.S.S. Make Shit Up” by Voltaire
  • “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” by William Shatner
  • “Dragoncon” by Leslie Fish
  • “Mister Anderson” – Tony Fabris
  • “The Ballad of Apollo 13” by Julia Ecklar
  • “What’s Up Spock?” by Luke Ski
  • “The Ballad Of Bilbo Baggins” by Leonard Nimoy
  • “Theme From Star Trek” by Nichelle Nichols
  • “Black Powder & Alcohol” by Leslie Fish
  • “Yoda Live” by “Weird Al” Yankovic

Be aware that due to the massive volume of filk songs, I’m only presenting a tiny fraction. I’ve come so close to filling two hours that I don’t even have time for introductions.

Author: William Stone

"No human being has the right -- under ANY circumstances -- to initiate force against another human being, nor to threaten or delegate its initiation."