The Goblin Song
by Mckatelee Starryskye

The Goblin Song is one of Kate's best loved works. As is typically the case though, Kate herself doesn't seem to be quite sure why.

Shenney and I performed this song as a duet at the "Old Bards' Night" concert. Kate only did it as a solo, but I think we pulled it off fairly well.

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Shenney gets a defiant expression on her face.

Dewsong says, "And the goblins sang:"

Dewsong chants in a tenor voice:

Dewsong glances thirstily at Shenney.
Shenney gazes at Dewsong.
(Shenney closes her eyes and her voice gives flight to an airy cadenza.)

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong chants in a tenor voice: Dewsong exclaims, "and show those legs!"

In one sinuous motion, Shenney arches her back and kicks high, then executes a little leap, landing catlike in a jingle of toe bells.

Shenney just tickled Dewsong.
(Shenney begins to dance, her eyes closed as she focuses on a strain of music heard only by her before she continues to sing her tale.)

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong puts his lute in his lute case.

Dewsong chants in a tenor voice:

Dewsong gets some rosewood bones from inside his dusty rose pouch.

(Shenney takes out her black ironwood bones, lovingly caressing the star-bedecked surface as she taps out a rhythm that makes you want to tap your toes.)

With pulse-pounding power, Dewsong beats a rapid canto with powerful strokes.

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong does a happy little dance!

Dewsong chants in a tenor voice:

Dewsong puts his bones in his dusty rose pouch.
Dewsong gets a rosewood flute from inside his dusty rose pouch.

(Shenney puts her bones away and brings her ashen flute to her lips, playing a quick, lilting run on it with deft fingers before continuing to sing.)

With a contained ferocity, a rapid melody floats from Dewsong's rosewood flute.

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong puts his flute in his dusty rose pouch.

Dewsong chants in a tenor voice:

Dewsong bounces around happily.
Dewsong gets an ebony-edged rosewood violin with a carved ebony bridge and pegs from inside his instrument case.
Dewsong gets a fiddle bow from inside his instrument case.

(Shenney replaces her flute with her flower-engraved violin and bow and wipes a bead of sweat from her forehead before tucking the instrument beneath her chin to play a familiar jig. )

As Dewsong picks out his rosewood violin, a rapid folk song flies through the air with a blazing glissando.

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong does a happy little dance!
Dewsong falls over.
Dewsong snores.

Shenney giggles.
Dewsong drools.

(Shenney brings the violin back up beneath her chin and plays a quick lullaby.)
Dewsong snorts, loudly.
Dewsong snores.

Shenney wryly asks, "Now why didn't I just balm them in the first place?"
Shenney smiles sheepishly and shrugs.

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong mutters into the air something about being a silly bardess, that's why.....
Shenney just tickled Dewsong.

(Shenney raises her eyebrows impishly and whispers, "But wait, there's more....")

Shenney sings in a soprano voice:

Dewsong rises to a kneeling position.
Dewsong giggles.

(Shenney rummages in her traveler's pack to find a yellowed, tattered piece of parchment which she unfolds carefully.)

Dewsong stands up.

Dewsong's tenor joins with Shenney's soprano as she sings:

(Shenney breathlessly beams at her audience and catches hold of Dewsong's hand to curtsy gracefully.)




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