This is the BlackBird Recording electronic newsletter.  If you don't want to receive this newsletter any more, just drop me a note and I'll take you off.  (Please note: if you've already asked to be removed, and you are still on the list, please email me again as I have lost a few emails recently.)  Also, I've been getting a lot of errors from bad e-mails.  Please give me a reply just to let me know you got this newsletter.

Again, it's been hectic.  The Spring Potrero version seems to be running about a month behind.  I'll try to be better in the future.

NEWS FROM THE RECORDING FRONT:

OK here's the scoop:  I've got really great news.  We have released "Bards Make the Best Lays" on limited edition CD.  There's one bonus track and each CD is signed and numbered.  No more than 100 of this edition will ever be made.  They were released at May Potrero and we've already sold a bunch.  If you're interested in picking one up, we're charging $15 including shipping and handling.  Again, it's first come, first served.  We haven't released them to the general public yet, I'll be releasing to everybody else two weeks from today - so you guys get first shot at it. :)

What this really means though, is that I can now record onto my computer.  So I'm back on for a studio.  I'm not sure I'll be up and running enough to get the new tape/CD out by Sep Potrero, but I'm going to try.  I'm also taking a recording class to figure out what all of the knobs on the mixer do, so that may postpone the album a bit also.  I'll keep you posted and you'll hear it here first.

Old Stuff: 
Another reminder: if any of you know of someone who might want to link to the site (BlackBird or Cantaria) please let them know so that they can do so.  

Don't forget to let people know that we are holding a lottery!  Everyone to sign up for the electronic mailing list, or who places an order between now and when the next tape  comes out will be put into a drawing to receive a free copy of the next tape.  So if you know anyone who might be interested, be sure to let them know.

Got some more retailers to sell the albums/songbooks but we're still looking for more. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please let me know.  

NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING FRONT:

Potreo was a good war.  My lady and I kind of took it easy and didn't rush around much.  We had a good time, though.  Rumors are that House DeSteele will be having another bardic duel competition next May. Great exposure for newer bards!

NEWS FROM THE WRITING FRONT:

Haven't written anything since the last newsletter, but here's "The Price" and "Havelok's Story" for you all.

Remember, if you need to get in touch with me, my permanent e-mail is:

Rathflaed@hotmail.com

Thanks again for everyone's support.  Have a fine, fair day.

Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
http://www.chivalry.com/blackbard/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bard's Make the Best Lays" available at: 
BlackBird Recording
PO Box 75
Tustin, CA. 92780

Cassettes: $10.00 inc. S&H.  Songbooks: $3.50 inc. S&H Limited edition CDs are $15 inc. S&H
(CA residents please add 7.75% Sales Tax)

Havelok's Story
	By Rathflaed DuNoir
	The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
	mka: Stephen R. Melvin
capo 2

    C						G
A full three months have passed now since I asked my king to go,
      F				 C	   G	       C
For I must journey onward to face my country's foes,
   C				G
I left my love behind me as I girded up for war,
         F			 C	   G	   C
And drew my sword upon this foreign shore.

Now the world is full of honors for those with sword and shield,
So I hied me to a tourney and with grace I won the field,
I was champion of the barony, yet still I raised mine eyes,
To the coronet of Baron for my prize.

A knight's soul is his lady, his reason for to fight,
And mine's my inspiration though I wear no belt of white,
But a Baron must have a baroness and my lady is far away,
So another's favor I must wear that day.

So I asked my lady's favor to fight for another's case,
And this angel out of heaven said that another could stand her place,
Then I asked my friend, a minstrel, since a sword he does not wield,
If I might fight for his lady's honor on the field.

Chorus:
        C				      G
Fair lady I hold your honor and I raise my sword on high,
  F				    C	       G	         C
For my foeman stands before me and I know that I might die,
         C					  G
And though you love another, and my lady is far away,
	F				      C
Still I raise my sword to fight for you today.

Now the first fight was a tough one, 'twas the Nameless, Lord Bernard,
A friend and foe both goodly and the fight was long and hard,
But in the end, he bested me, as I crashed to the ground,
I knew I had but one chance for the crown.

With only one life left to me, I went to take my stand,
And I bested all who came to me, I bet them to a man,
'Til at the end but one foe stood, 'twas Lord Bernard my friend,
The man who's blow had felled me once, the Nameless once again.

Although his arm had bested mine, still I had won before,
So we armored up for one last match with the loser to give o'er,
And as the blows did fall like rain, we'd not give up the prize,
'Twas not the coronet to win, but the pride in a Lady's eyes.

The battle it seemed to last a day or perhaps a hundred years,
Our breaths came out in ragged gasps, we both bit back our tears,
I saw my lady's eyes and face, her worry how I'd fare,
And her inspiration filled me then, I'd won the bout right there.

Chorus:

Two blows later I'd won the day, Bernard lay at my feet,
I bent down to help him up, the final foe I'd beat,
He told me to go to her, that he would be just fine,
And he'd see me at the feast tonight, to drink to fortune mine!

Yet as I turned away from him, to greet my lady's eyes,
The Barony's new lady fair, the coronet her prize,
I thought it was not fortune there, that turned the tide right then,
It was the look upon my lady's face that carried me to win!

Chorus:

24 December 1998

The Price
	By Rathflaed DuNoir
	The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
	mka: Stephen R. Melvin
(Slowly)

 Em		  G			 D			  Em
You've had yourself a thousand dreams, but none have screamed so long,
Em		G		     D			Em
Since you were just a little girl, you've heard the sweetest song,
         G		D	          Em	D	   Em
Yes, you would be a princess with gold and jewels to wear,
Em		   G		     D		  Em
And a goodly knight to rescue you, the captured lady fair.

(Spoken)
But who said I was one of the good guys?

(Fast)
Feel the earth beneath your feet, feel the wind in your hair,
Come with me and see the world, a world beyond compare,
Come with me and see the stars, grasp them in your hand.
Everything I have is yours, yes the world, is at your command.

Come with me and taste the wine, the wine of deepest red,
I will give you pillows soft, to rest your weary head,
I will give you bars of gold, servants at your feet,
Just say the world and it all is yours; give yourself to me!

I will make you beautiful, to turn the heads of men,
Helen launched one thousand ships, your face will launch ten,
The angels they will blush to see the beauty that you hold,
A thousand dreams and promises for which a soul is sold.

Would you know the sweetest kiss, that ever man could give?
Brush your lips against mine own, then you shall start to live,
Feel my arms around you as your heart pounds louder still,
Lose yourself within me as your body feels the thrill!

Electric shivers down your spine, give yourself to me.
I shall taste your sweetest wine, I shall set you free!
Feel my mouth upon your neck, a bite? Or just a kiss?
You know my wish is your command and your deepest darkest bliss.

Now come and sit here by my feet, accentuate your curves,
You have all that you could wish, and you truly wish to serve,
All I promised you shall have, all the you could will,
But don't forget that you are mine, you know I own you still.

4 January 1999