Here's the Potrero mail list.  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.  If you know of anyone who wants to be added, have them drop me a line and I'll add them.  Remember, anyone who's on the list when the next album comes out will be entered to win a free album.  Thanks!

NEWS FROM THE RECORDING FRONT:

We have sold the first 73 of "Bards Make the Best Lays" limited edition CD.  #69 was auctioned off at Potrero.  I'll probably also auction off #100 when we get there, but there's still a few left until then.  There's one bonus track and each CD is signed and numbered.  Remember, no more than 100 of this edition will ever be made. If you or anyone you know is interested in picking one up, we're charging $15 including shipping and handling.  Again, it's first come, first served. 

The new album is called "More!!!" and was released the Friday of Great Western War.  It also sold failry well at Estrella and Potrero, with a few wholesalers picking up copies.  You asked for more and "More!!!" is available!  It has the following songs and poems:

William's Wedding Song * I Loved Thee Ere * A Period Song * The Crescent of Caid * Red Belt, Silver Spurs * 1066 - The Storybook Version * The Barbarian Freehold Alliance * Price of Steel * The Wish * A Place in the Sky * The Archer King * So You Wish to Be a Bard...

(Note that the last one is the sequel to the poem on the first album.)  Songbooks and tapes are both available. 

The web pages still haven't been updated, (I think Kate's still in Ireleand).   If you'd like to get a tape or songbook in a hurry, you can use the order form for "Lays" and just write in that you want "More!!!" instead.

NEWS FROM THE PERFORMING FRONT:

Note from the previous newsletter - Juliana (the artist formerly known as Jezreel) was a bit miffed that I left her and her husband out of the round of credits.  They drove me up to Ponte Alto and let me stay over the night prior, so thanks to them!

Potrero was interesting!  In spite of coming down with the flu, I thrashed my throat by performing at several camps.  I'm taking this as another test passed.  I could make it in the Middle Ages even if I got sick. :)  One more step on the journey to Mastery. :)

Sir Charles and Co., helped to sponsor a wonderful Bardic Circle (A res-bardic I heard, 9 hrs?) over at House Phelan with a wonderful dinner for the bardic types (Thanks Colin).  I don't have room to properly recognize everyone who was invoved, but they did an awesome job!

I visited several camps that were very bard friendly.  
Among them were House Black Hart (The halflings love bards), the Archers of St. Artemas (who have taken to keeping chicken skewers on hand for wandering bards),  The Aggregation of Kith, House Phelan (mentioned above), the Iron Maiden (awesome Carne Asada and fun goings on), Aten Royal, and the Barony of Gyldenholt.

NEWS FROM THE WRITING FRONT:

Please Note: in "The History of Rome in 10 min or Less" (Inspired by True Thomas), an error was pointed out to me.  Mea Culpa!  The Shakespearean speech should belong to Marc Antony rather than to Brutus.  But! In a related note, I brought it in in under 9 min every time I performed it at the war!

This time, as promised in the last newsletter, I'm including "The Battle" which is based upon a true story told to me many years ago by Duke (then count) Stefan of Bellatrix.  Let me know what you think.  I still believe that a bard's job is to keep the histories and traditions alive and this is one of ours.

Please note the new email.  Remember, if you need to get in touch with me, my permanent e-mail is:

Rathflaed@hotmail.com

From the Political Front:

The campaign has been a little slow starting off.  I expect things to pick up once we get the formal web site up and running.  If anyone wants to help out, either cyber or in real life, drop me a line and let me know.  I also found out that they moved GWW to right before the election, so if my lady and I get to show, it won't be for long.  Again, keep me posted on what's happening in the world of chivalry and honor, so I can't forget.  Thanks!

Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
http://www.chivalry.com/blackbard/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bard's Make the Best Lays" and "More!!!" 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 ("Lays" only - 28 left) are $15 inc. S&H
(CA residents please add 7.75% Sales Tax)

The Battle
by:  Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies, MSoB
mka: Stephen R Melvin

Am				G 
Upon the field of valor stand two armies toe to toe,
        Am			      Em 
And each one feels the might, of every smashing blow,
        Am				   G 		       Em
And each one holds the honor of their kingdoms in their hands,
F		    G	          	  Am     G	   Am
As the sun beats down upon them and toe to toe they stand.

Their swords flash brightly in the sun, as a hundred warriors die,
But the fire that burns within them, well, it flashes from their eyes,
And not a man will yield the field, no not a single one,
For honor and for kingdom, until the field is won!

Chorus (1):
Am				     G 
Hear the swords clash in the air, see the arrows fly!
Am		   			G		  Em
Feel the sun beat on your skin as you yell your battle cry!
Am					G
You lady’s favor on your belt, your blood runs hot inside!
        Am    		G	  Am	G	   Am G Am Am	    G	 Am 
For kingdom and for honor, until the last have died!	     Until the last have died!

Upon the field of honor stand a hundred men to ten,
And the general of the hundred claims no honor will be spent,
In the taking of a smaller force, no chivalry is found,
So stand up only ten of ours, to take the battle ground!

The fighting does go heavy ‘til the field stands eight to two,
And the smaller force is cut in half when a blow comes from the blue,
And one man now, is left to stand against his kingdom’s foes,
He raises up his sword and shield and the fire in him grows!

Chorus (2):
“I’ve heard the swords clash in the air, I’ve seen the arrows fly!
I felt the sun beat on my skin as I yelled my battle cry!
With my lady’s favor on my belt, my blood runs hot inside!
For kingdom and for honor, I’ll be the last to die! But not just yet!” he cried.

For eight bold knights, no worthy task, is a single sword and shield,
But still this warrior stands erect, and his ground he will not yield.
So the general, he speaks up again, “One fighter at a time!”
And so the single warrior prepares his battle line!

The first knight stands to face him, and the battle it begins, 
And it seems to last forever, ‘til the warrior finally wins,
And he droops his sword and shield down – weary through and through,
But when the second knight steps up, he stands up straight and true!

Chorus (2):
“I’ve heard the swords clash in the air, I’ve seen the arrows fly!
I felt the sun beat on my skin as I yelled my battle cry!
With my lady’s favor on my belt, my blood runs hot inside!
For kingdom and for honor, I’ll be the last to die! But not just yet!” he cried.

And as he faces each bold knight, for the sleep of death he yearns,
But as each opponent takes the field, his energy returns,
And though he’s weary near to death, his honor holds him nigh,
He wears his lady’s favor and his kingdom’s banner flies!

After five bold knights have died, the general calls a stay.
“No honor will be taken here, this warrior has the day.”
And with a hundred men around him, he draws his sovereign’s blade.
“Kneel before me warrior, you’ve earned your spurs this day.”

Chorus (3):
“You’ve heard the swords clash in the air, you’ve seen the arrows fly!
You’ve felt the sun beat on your skin as you yelled your battle cry!
With your lady’s favor on your belt, and your chivalry this day,
For kingdom and for honor, you’ve earned your spurs today. Yes, you’ve earned your belt and chain!”

So chivalry was served this day and shone out like the sun,
Was the general or the warrior now shown the greater one?
But though these men of honor both, have earned the title now,
There is one more to take the stage before the final bow.

For see off on yon sidelines there, a young man clad in steel,
And in his arms, a lady fair, as he runs out to the field.
It is the new knight’s lady, being borne so she can see,
Her new knight’s greatest honor, as he’s clothed in chivalry!

Chorus (3):
Now hear the swords clash in the air, and see the arrows fly!
Go feel the sun beat on your skin as you yell your battle cry!
Wear your lady’s favor on your belt, and take up sword and shield,
But most of all, wear chivalry, before you take the field!
But most of all, wear chivalry, before you take the field!

8 Jan 2000