The "Not At Pennsic" Blues
by Katherine Ashewode
About a month before Pennsic this year (July 2004), I wrote the first version of this song, the "Just Got Back From Pennsic" blues. Someone told me that it was, perhaps, a bit early to be writing about getting back from Pennsic, so I quickly wrote the second version, the "Waiting for Pennsic" blues. It's essentially like the first version, with a different first and last verse, and a different chorus. It can be sung to the tune of any simple 4-beat blues rhythm you've got handy.
Version 1: The "Just Got Back from Pennsic" Blues
Woke up this morning to an empty house.
No one was with me, not even a mouse.
I've got laundry piled up to the sky.
So much unpacking that I want to cry.
I've got the "just got back from Pennsic and I really don't wanna' move"... blues.
I've go the "just got back from Pennsic and I don't know what I'm gonna' do"... blues.
Casa Bardicci where they wine and dine.
The Pleasure Pavilion with its girls so fine.
I'd go to parties nearly every night.
Now I'm alone and it just doesn't seem right.
I've got the...
I miss the food court and I miss merchant's row.
Midnight madness with the buskers in show.
The Fruity Cobbler has gathered much fame.
The local shopping malls just aren't the same.
I've got the...
Royal encampments with the queens and kings.
So many coronets so many gold rings.
I hate my TV, Oprah fills me with dread.
I'd even rather sit in court instead.
I've got the...
I miss the battles with the class of swords.
I miss the classes, I would never get bored.
The bardic circles, the amorous flings.
Understand that I miss everything!
I've got the...
Pennsic is over, I'm sorry to say.
And now I'm back to the work-a-day.
The daily grind, it fills me with tears.
'Cause I don't wanna' wait another year.
Version 2: The "Waiting for Pennsic" Blues
The "Waiting for Pennsic" Blues is just like The "Just Got Back from Pennsic" Blues, with the following changes:
Replace the first verse with:
Woke up this morning, War is weeks away.
I'm so excited I don't know what to say.
My bags are packed, I'm just rarin' to go.
But the days creep by so slow!
Replace the chorus with:
I've got the "sitting 'round the house waiting for the great Pennsic War"... blues.
I've got the "sitting 'round the house and I'm feeling so very bored"... blues.
Replace the last verse with:
So now I'm sitting with my bags packed high.
I wait for August but it's still July.
I feel so cramped in my living room.
I just hope that the War comes soon.