Saturday, February 27, 2010

Scorn of Buckthorn: The Video


With apologies, I now bring you the video recording of my performance of Scorn of Buckthorn. Remember, you asked for this when I posted the lyrics alone! (Don't worry about me being fuzzy. I look better that way.)


I hate buckthorn, it is not the plant for me
Merely a shrub but thinks it's a tree
Roots as long as the trunk is tall
Spreads early spring to late in fall
Spiky thorns pierce gloves and shoes
No buckthorn I would never choose

It's non-native, it's invasive
It kills the spring ephemeral
It is glossy, it is spiky
It is a hardened criminal

I hate buckthorn, it is not the plant for me
You pull out one and it grows three
It does not heed your swears or pleas
It laughs at Roundup on its leaves
It will not die so you can’t mourn
Oh buckthorn I can only scorn

It's non-native, it's invasive
It kills the spring ephemeral
It is glossy, it is spiky
It is a hardened criminal

I sang this in December at a friend's house filk party (filk assumes singing is a human right/need and people sit in a circle and take turns performing). Some University of Michigan music grad students were recording performances for a class project, and Jessica took the time to edit out my portion for you. (I also performed Planting Queen, but it wasn't recorded.)

The lyrics came to me one day in the shower after years of struggling with buckthorn removal. Click for a buckthorn fact sheet from Ann Arbor Narural Areas Preservation.

13 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for posting this, Monica!! What fun! You'd better stay near your phone--the Met may be calling for an audition soon:)

    I've never heard of a "filk" party, but this sounds like fun. By the way, some of my best inspirations come while I'm taking a shower, too:)

    Hope all is going well with you!

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  2. You sing so well! I think Rose is right someone is going to call you for an audition!

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  3. Buckthorn inspiration is usually more immediate for me. I've been known to spout some pretty colorful "French" when dealing with those thorny things. Still, it's much better than listening to me sing.

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  4. Oh Monica, we are both clapping paws at your great performance! That really showed the Buchthorn.
    Purrs, Siena & Chilli

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  5. A filk party sounds like my idea of hell. lol

    That said I found your performance to be inspired. You really sang from the heart and the lyrics communciate the depth of feeling that you have for the subject.

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  6. What can I say, except I loved it, Monica ... you are even 'cooler' than I originally thought! Proud to say ... you are my Michigan 'Scorn of Buckthorn' (I hate them too) bloggin' buddy :)

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  7. I've watched it a couple of time now and I get a kick out of it every time. Especially when the class joins in.

    ;0)

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  8. Liebe Monica,
    na dann: Nichts wie weg mit dem verdammten Sanddorn! Er macht das Garten-Leben ja zur Hölle.
    Liebe Grüße
    Birgit

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  9. Brunhilde lives! I never realized you had such a fine singing voice when you were talking about singing at these parties, filks indeed! I once attended a mystery party where I was the opera singer and dressed as Brunhilde with the helmet and a breast plate. The singing was not required, luckily. Thanks for sharing this, it will help with the imagining of the Queen at work. :-)

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  10. ROFL.... What a hoot Monica. I love this rendition of your poem. I hope it made you feel better by singing this. It sure made me feel better.

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  11. This made me laugh - but I'm very envious of your voice ...I have the musical abilities of a dead slug!

    Thanks for the info on how to deal with wisteria too - very helpful! :)

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  12. Already commented on Twitter & your YT Channel, and it's fun to see Scorn of Buckthorn on the blog, Monica.

    Had a bonding moment with you when you mentioned the shower - many of my songs were birthed underwater, too. Like Frances, Philo & I dressed as Vikings for a big party. & as Mr Brown Thumb says... what a great moment when everyone sings along!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  13. Bravo! This was great fun to watch ~ you have a wonderful voice. You are so creative with your lyrics! More, more, please!!!!

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