Since The Touhou-Project.com IRC channel is currently declaring: "❆ ❄ ❅ AND THE SKY IS A HAZY SHADE OF LETTY ❅ ❄ ❆", some Simon & Garfunkel could go here for starters.

The text is based on "Cecilia" (1970), and does not require much introduction. Many human boys and girls have had dreams of becoming Lady Remilia's lover, and this is how I picture it...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecilia_%28Simon_%26_Garfunkel_song%29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5_QV97eYqM


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Remilia (No Crying over Spilt Milk) (2015)

A1.

Remilia, you’re spilling my blood,
you’re biting my jugulars daily!
Oh, Remilia, I’m down on my knees,
I’m begging you, please, let me live!

A2.

Remilia, you’re spilling my blood,
you’re biting my jugulars daily!
Oh, Remilia, I’m down on my knees,
I’m begging you, please, let me live!
Let me live!

B

Suppertime at the break of dawn with Remilia,
up in her bedroom (sipping more)...
She got up to wash her face;
when she came back to bed,
all I saw was red haze.

A3.

Remilia, you’re spilling my blood,
you’re biting my jugulars daily!
Oh, Remilia, I’m down on my knees,
I’m begging you, please, let me live!
Let me live!

Instrumental

A4.

Jubilation, her hunger has calmed,
I lie on the floor, and she’s dancing.
Jubilation, her hunger has calmed,
I lie on the floor, I’m still breathing...

Actually quite many of my filk texts are based on 1960s and 1970s pop music, and it seems to be even more so when I’m going through my English-language works.

This one is a version of "Octopus’s Garden" by the Beatles (1969). The original song is currently not available on Youtube, although it has been at least twice earlier. I am linking a cover version, but if you like the melody, finding the real thing to listen to is worthwhile.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus%27s_Garden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0vFUxE3SrM

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Spider-yōkai’s Bucket (2012)

1.

I swing around
under the ground
in a spider-yōkai’s bucket in the dark.
She’d let me in,
knew where I’d been
with her spider-yōkai’s bucket in the dark.
Please ask your friends
to come and see
a spider-yōkai’s cavern with me.
I swing around
under the ground
in a spider-yōkai’s bucket in the dark.

2.

I’d like to eat
more human meat,
but the ones they send down here are tough to beat.
There is a breeze,
could make you sneeze;
when I hear you, I’ll hurry down to greet.
We would shoot
and dance awhile,
because, you know, it makes me smile!
I swing around
under the ground
in a spider-yōkai’s bucket in a cave.

Solo Horror "Tsurube-Otoshi Apparition"

3.

Swinging by,
I might be shy,
hiding my legs and feeling safe (Darkness makes me feel so safe)
In a twirl,
like any yōkai girl
I’ll land by your side and call your name (Call you by your name)
I would be
so happy seeing you,
no one there to tell me what to do.
I swing around
under the ground
in a yōkai’s bucket waiting for you,
in a yōkai’s bucket waiting for you,
in a yōkai’s bucket waiting for you.

Me and imageboards... Meh.

Here is the intended illustration for "Spider-yōkai’s Bucket". Art by Jiryū, whose circle is called Time Tide.

I like your work.
You seem to do better than most about fitting cadence to the words.

>>2068

Thank you.

I have done this sort of thing since an early age, although it was more sporadic until I found the Tōhō fan community. My main concern has always been counting the syllables, even if 1 syllable ≠ 1 note.

Filking in a foreign language presents a number of extra difficulties, such as remembering or even just knowing which syllables can and which ones cannot be stressed or stretched.

My own language has fixed word-initial stress. Stretching any short vowel to fit a cadence is usually allowed, while shortening long ones sounds bad; and I know it does not work like that everywhere.

I'm going to sound like an ass for saying this, but the whole 'ō' and 'ū' thing really gets on my goat. What are you afraid of, wasting paper? Just use two vowels like they do in Japanese!

With that out of the way, me likey. I'm a sucker for a good rhyme.

This is pretty nice, good job.

It sure feels nice to get some attention. As I gradually reveal more details of "my Gensōkyō" (even though not all my texts belong to one and the same headcanon), I would love to get to hear some of your impressions: do my views, interpretations and twists match yours, differ from them, or perhaps bring about some new perspectives? But perhaps we are not that far yet.

>>2070

>the whole 'ō' and 'ū' thing really gets on my goat

I suppose a simple "that is the style I'm most familiar and comfortable with" would not make you happy.

Don't you worry, I've given it more thought than that over the years. I might even enjoy chatting about transcription vs. transliteration. But preferably not in this very thread. You might want to invite me over if there is a related topic elsewhere.

Whatever the case, that "wasting paper" bit was a good one, really enjoyable. I giggled to myself, imagining a representative of Wikipedia stating in an interview that the project cannot afford the paper needed for JSL romanizations.

And next, for a completely different beat.

This filk is based on "Watch Out for This (Bumaye)", a 2013 dance hit by Major Lazer, which in turn was constructed from The Flexican and FS Green's song "Bumaye".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Out_for_This_%28Bumaye%29

The featured toaster is called Busy Signal. Now, I've listened to a lot of reggae in my life, and I maintain that most songs I've heard are in Jamaican English. "Watch Out for This" is not; it is clearly in patwa (or patois), a different language with a notably different grammar, even if it has very much in common with English. I could not have fully understood "Watch Out for This" without seeing the lyrics video, and I definitely could not rewrite it in patwa. So, I attempted to mimic the rapping style of some Jamaican-born U.S. East Coast MCs. Not sure how well it came out, but I think it would suit Marisa rather nicely.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Patois

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PZhroSY8-I

A much older song, "Boom Shack-A-Lak" (1993) by Apache Indian, should be mentioned as an important additional influence. And... actually there is a minor reference to the Irish folk song "Whiskey in the Jar" in the text as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZzBd41NuZw

I am neither a singer nor a rapper, but I usually test my filk texts multiple times by singing over the original, until I can manage it somewhat fluently. The assumption is that if I can reach that level myself, then it should be no problem for someone more skilled and devoted. This text is an exception. The original is just too fast. My apologies.

This link leads to the song version I've used. It is slightly different from the lyric video version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCoCa6b6cU


☆☆☆


Watch Out for Dis Witch (Master Spark!) (2013)

1.

’Ey!
Pull up, pull up!
Bullets bouncin’, de sky is full of
Fairy girls an’ I can't get enough.
Bosses go down when I shoot, dat me love!
A murda when I do de danmaku,
Convictor write it down inna ya book.
Simply for fun, spell cards by de tons,
I’m an ’igh grade witch from de woods.
I’ll fire me

Major laser:
M-Ma-Ma-Ma-Master Spark!
Watch out, da ze!
Watch out, da ze!

Refrain A:

Watch out for dis witch! I cannot be tamed,
Smashin’ ya place while ya still takin’ aim.
Just call me “Miss Number 1” in de game,
Di ordinary mage, I'm more ’n far famed.
Watch out for dis witch! I cannot be tamed,
Smashin’ ya place while ya still takin’ aim.
Just call me “Miss Number 1” in de game.
Smashin’ ya place
– Master Spark!

’Ey!
Watch out, da ze!
Wa-wa-watch out, da ze!
Watch out, da ze!
Wa-wa-watch out, da ze!

Watch out for dis witch! I cannot be tamed,
Smashin’ ya place while ya still takin’ aim.
Just call me “Miss Number 1” in de game,
Di ordinary mage, I’m more ’n far famed.
’Ey!

Refrain B:

Margatroid in me arms make me glad.
Said I’d beat cha! (Aaaaah!)
Kappa girl in me arms make me glad.
Said I’d beat cha! (Aaaaah!)
Blast even gods violatin’ de rules,
It’s a murda! (Aaaaah!)
Library witch in me arms make me glad.
Said I’d beat cha! (Aaaaah!)

2.

I play di ’ardest, yes I play di ’ardest,
Me style is lunatic, de miko is a novice!
Right into de storm, buzzin’ more buzzin’ more,
Grazin’ more till I’m scorin’ way ’ighest.
Aye!
I got clout! Me an’ me broom on a mission,
ravens can’t stop me wit’ fusion or fission!
Flames in ya face, for me rays gonna blaze
– You know you shouldn’t fuck wit’ magicians!
’Ey!

Watch out, da ze!
Watch out, da ze!
Watch out, da ze!
Watch out, da ze!

Refrain A:

Watch out for dis witch! I cannot be tamed,
Smashin’ ya place while ya still takin’ aim.
Just call me “Miss Number 1” in de game,
Smashin’ ya place
– Master Spark!

’Ey!
Watch out for dis witch! I cannot be tamed,
Smashin’ ya place while ya still takin’ aim.
Just call me “Miss Number 1” in de game,
Di ordinary mage, I’m more ’n far famed.
Watch out for dis witch! I cannot be tamed,
Smashin’ ya place while ya still takin’ aim.
Just call me “Miss Number 1” in de game,
Di ordinary mage, I’m more ’n far famed.
’Ey!

Refrain B:

Margatroid in me arms make me glad.
Said I’d beat cha! (Aaaaah!)
Kappa girl in me arms make me glad.
Said I’d beat cha! (Aaaaah!)
Blast even gods violatin’ de rules,
It’s a murda! (Aaaaah!)
Library witch in me arms make me glad.
Said I’d beat cha! (Aaaaah!)

My friggin' sides. It's perfect.

> You might want to invite me over if there is a related topic elsewhere.

There isn't, and I'd be nailed to a tree for sperglording if I started one. All I really have to say is "English speakers can't read 'em or type 'em, so they're just gonna drop 'em". Pic related.

This one is not a real filk, but might be of some interest to those of you who know German or like classical music.

Two related Youtube links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41mE3kapPgc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51q6am2SPhE


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Der Rote Rache (2017)

Der Rote Rache kocht in meinem Herzen,
Tod und Verzweiflung flammet um mich her!
Fühlt nicht durch dich Marisa Todesschmerzen,
So bist du meine Schwester nimmermehr.
Verstoßen sei auf ewig,
Verlassen sei auf ewig,
Zertrümmert sei’n auf ewig
Alle Bande der Magie,
Wenn nicht durch dich Marisa wird erblassen!
Hört, Rachegötter, hört der Dämon Schwur!


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We are told that Remilia Scarlet is in friendly terms with Marisa and Reimu. However, it has been a long road. At first, the Scarlet Devil found her defeat by the black-and-white witch girl extremely difficult to swallow. As soon as she foresaw Marisa's encounter with Flandre, Remilia went to her little sister and spoke dreadful words, pressing Flandre to act as the tool of her vengeance.

Fortunately enough, lady Remilia forgot that her sister had been exposed to continental languages a lot less than herself, being that Flandre became a vampire at a rather young age. To Remilia, switching between languages is natural like it had been to their noble human parents. To playful little Flandre... practicing German with Mystia could be helpful.

(Special thanks for inspiration go to [b]Sandels[b] of the Finnish Tōhō fan community, as well as the "Prière" music video. And yes, I am convinced that Mystia Lorelei is of German descent, most probably born in the Rhine Valley.)

>>2134

German Mystia is always fun. There's just so much to work off of, what with Die Lorelei or whatever it was, as well as the idea of the night sparrow in general.

Back when I had only seen some art from, and possibly the first preview of, the "Hifuu Club Activity Record – The Sealed Esoteric History" animation, somebody reminded me of a romantic song I had not listened to for quite a while.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIMAGhrVJ9k

The inspiration led me to a lot of sweat, but the end result was a tribute of sorts to the makers of "The Sealed Esoteric History". Since I did not yet know what the animation was all about, I drew inspiration mainly from the story of "Yumetagae Kagaku Seiki – Changeability of Strange Dream" by Zun.

https://en.touhouwiki.net/wiki/Changeability_of_Strange_Dream

The song I used is "She’s a Mystery to Me", written by Bono and The Edge, recorded by Roy Orbison shortly before his death, and published posthumously in 1989.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmMcHcRAtmU


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Mystery World (2014)

1.

Darkness falls and she
will take me to her dream;
we’re the Ghostly Field Club team.
I whisper, “Come what may!”
for I can’t find my way
without her as my guide.
Night falls, we pass through the entrance.
Daylight comes, and fairies laugh and dance.
Are we butterflies
doomed to uncertainty?
It’s a mystery to me.

Refrain:

It’s a mystery world,
it’s a mystery world.

2.

Master sparks of love,
strange visions vague or clear,
beasts soon to disappear.
A blade so sharp it cuts
ten phantoms in one slice.
A dowser with her mice.
We hear the noise of threats unknown.
We try to run, I find myself alone.
Fallen Tenshi cries,
and Letty melts away.
It’s a mystery to me.

Refrain:

It’s a mystery world,
it’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world,
it’s a mystery world.

3.

Haunting after dark,
an umbrella with one eye,
unable to scare me.
How can a song so blind
that we just cannot see?
It’s a mystery to me.
Night falls, we gaze at Wriggle’s spell.
Daylight comes, we journey on to Hell.
How it’s made to burn
and burn eternally
is a mystery to me.

Refrain:

It’s a mystery world,
it’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world,
it’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world,
it’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world.
It’s a mystery world.

Mukyū returns.

Testing.

Art: Huángguā a.k.a. 黄瓜musci.

So... this time, I am going to share my very first Tōhō filk.

Like I told my fellow fans back in the days, the text is pretty mean. (»I’m just playin’, Suwako-chan! You know I love you!»)

The original song is "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" by The Offspring (1998). You will probably remember that IOSYS promotional videos were still dominating the scene when I wrote this one. I’m feeling retro all of a sudden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQ3FiKf09M


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Pretty Hot (For an Old God) (2011)


(Backing vocals by Ran & Chen where needed)

Eiki:

Unzan, Reisen, Meirin, Eirin!

Reimu & Marisa vs. Suwako:

Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
And all the girlies say I’m pretty hot for an old god!

Alice:

Eins, zwei, drei, guten Morgen, ii asa!

Yukari:

You know it’s kind of hard
Just to get along today
Our subject didn’t win
But she fakes it anyway
She may not have the power
But she does it loli style
And everything she lacks
Well she makes up in denial

So don’t debate, just gather faith
You know she clings to her delusions anyway
Gonna play ex-boss, and double-cross
For you no way, for you no way
So if you don’t rate, just overcompensate
At least you’ll know you can catch fish in the Misty Lake
The world needs wannabe gods (hey hey!)
Do your ancient thing

Rumia, Nitori & Suika vs. Suwako:

Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
And all the girlies say I’m pretty hot for an old god!

Yukari:

She needs more believers
A few will not suffice
And if snacks are not enough
She will grab some fairy ice
Now stepping with her Pyonta
she sees homies as she pass
But if she looks twice
The old hag kicks her lily ass

So don’t debate, just gather faith
You know she clings to her delusions anyway
Gonna play ex-boss, and double-cross
For you no way, for you no way
So if you don’t rate, just overcompensate
At least you’ll know you can catch fish in the Misty Lake
The world loves wannabe gods (hey hey!)
Do your ancient thing

Now she’s raising an army (yeah)
She’s gonna beat kings
She wanted alloy steel
but she got some rusty rings
Friends say she’s trying too hard
Sanae will nod
But in her own mind
She’s the – she’s the highest god

Orin, Yamame & Komachi vs. Suwako:

Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!
Ribbit to me baby!
Kero, kero!

Alice:

Eins, zwei, drei, guten Morgen, ii asa!

Yukari:

So don’t debate, just gather faith
You know she clings to her delusions anyway
Gonna play ex-boss, and double-cross
For you no way, for you no way
So if you don’t rate, just overcompensate
At least you’ll know you can catch fish in the Misty Lake
The world needs wannabe gods
The world loves wannabe gods
Gensōkyō loves wannabe gods (hey hey!)
Do your ancient thing