Gotta Catch that BLOG!!!
I got this assignment essentially by gushing about Pokémon to the scribe when we were yammering about a current project. We quickly determined that this Tyger’s Cub was going to be a filk of the Pokémon theme song. Also to be noted that the recipient uses they/them pronouns. Which, considering the source material, would not be difficult to do.
The first thing I do for a filk scroll is to find the source material. Finding the Pokémon theme from the TV show was relatively easy:
♪ I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all),
It's you and me.
I know it's my destiny
you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all)
a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all! Po-ké-mon! ♪
I wrote the first draft in a style that I call “fully incorporated filk.” Where, like Weird Al, I try to include all the new information and poetry into the referential piece. This method has been very successful in past efforts. The first draft, however, didn't carry the feel of the Pokémon song. There’s a lot of prescribed information that goes into each scroll and much of the charm of the theme song was lost.
I even ran that version by an avid Pokémon fan and SCAdian, who liked it, but thought it could be more Pokémon-y. With that in mind I went back to the drawing board.
This is the version I sent to the scribe. It's the second type of filk that I use. One where the majority of the pertinent information is sort of put into the introduction and the rest of the filk can be slightly more true to the original. “Intro Filk,” a style I have done before in previous scrolls.
Their Majesties Matthias & Feilinn at this, Their Crown Tourney in Carolingia, AS Fifty Eight, Have this to say for Our Howard of Strangeways:
Here in the introductory sentence Their Majesties are named with their correct titles, the name of the event, the AS year and the name of the recipient are all listed. The award is further into the scroll.
They wanna be their very best
Like no one ever was!
The only changes from the original are the switch from first person to third person. The recipient has they/them pronouns and it was simple enough to change “You” to “They.”
To play at thrown contest
To chase toys, is their cause
The original rhymes ended with test/cause. When filking, keeping the end words of a sentence keeps the sound correct. The first word of a line is the same, as well, the second line a repetition of the first. Which seems a small thing, but when you are changing the words the small things add up in making the whole harmonious with the original.
We will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
By changing “I” to “We” the perspective changes with it. This is now in Their Majesties voice, describing what they do as Royals. While still being 90% a direct quote from the song.
The East Kingdom does understand
The Tyger that's inside
Another couplet where I keep the end words and change the rest. The pertinent information of the kingdom name is listed as well. Then “power” is changed to “Tyger.” Which is one of the more significant changes, but very in keeping with the East Kingdom and the moment of the song.
Tyger’s Cub! (Gotta catch that ball)
Tyger’s cub scans with Pokémon, both in syllable count and tone!
Gotta catch that Ball, is a reference to the heraldry of the Tyger’s Cub: Or, a tyger sejant azure, its forepaws resting on a torteau. It was the perfect filking of the Pokémon theme song!
Award for thee
We know it's your destiny
You're the East’s friend
This kingdom you will defend
These are all very similar to the original. With only a few changed words, the perspective changes to be from the point of view of the royals giving the award to the recipient.
Tyger’s Cub! (Gotta catch that ball)
Your heart’s so true
Your courage pulls Us through
You’ll teach us as We’ll teach you
Another repetition of the chorus and the final lyrics of the song, tweaked again to be from the perspective of their Majesties.
Tyger’s Cub! (Gotta catch that ball)
(Gotta catch that ball) Tyger’s Cub!
The final repetitions of the original flipped them and I did the same .
I remember a Signet referring to Tyger’s Cubs as candy. They were so right! This was so much fun to write and plot with. I can only hope that everyone who heard it in court enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
And of course, I hope the recipient will love and enjoy the scroll.
I hope they catch the ball!
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