(This song took first place in the filksong competition at the SCA's 30th anniversary celebration. It is best performed by a man with a touch of an Irish accent, and a rogue's swagger. Do what you can to act out the activities described in the lyrics as you sing them. Sorry ladies, but this one doesn't adapt well to a switch in gender for a female performer's use).
Introduction (Spoken):
As we spend time in the Society, you may have noticed that the longer a person plays, the more "things" they seem to acquire, things they simply "need" to have with them at events. This song is about the way these things seem to grow on you.
When I first went to tourneys, don't ya know I traveled light.
All my gear fit in one backpack, and I'd party through the night.
I'd hitch a ride quite easy, and with other folk I'd stay.
Oh but things have changed so greatly, in my years in the S C A.
In my first year of tourneys, oh my interests they did shift.
In the light of ladies flirtin', I could feel my spirits lift.
To start my own encampment, sure the money'd be well spent.
For it's hard to sport with ladies, while in somebody else's tent!
I bought a little dome tent, just a cozy space for two.
In the woods beyond the eric, all the ladies hearts I'd woo.
The girls who caught my interest, they preferred the men who fight.
Well if that's what gets the ladies, then I'd try to become a knight!
With armor and my weapons, I need my own car to drive.
First I'd fight with all the traffic, then I'd fight to stay alive.
I earned a ladies favor, on the field I was her champ.
And in time I earned her lovin', and she soon joined my little camp!
I traveled with my Lady, to events both near and far
with her gear and mine together, crammed into my little car.
Our tent that was so cozy, now was feeling small and cramped.
So we needed a pavilion, to enlarge our tiny camp.
And now I am a squire, learnin' how to fight and win.
And my wife's a Laurel's 'prentice, learnin' how to weave and spin.
I haul my knight's full armor, and my wife must have her loom.
But with all this extra cargo, we'll be buyin' a trailer soon.
My wife she grew quite worried. And I soon did share her fear.
How much cargo must we carry, if we each become a Peer?
And so we formed a household, with retainers far and wide.
In return for what we teach them, they will give all our gear a ride!
(Final reprise - optional. Sung with much less swagger and much more sentiment than the first time.)
When I first went to tourneys, don't ya know I traveled light.
All my gear fit in one backpack, and I'd party through the night.
I'd hitch a ride quite easy, and with other folk I'd stay.
Oh but things have changed so greatly, in my years in the S C A.