found - scanlan’s song

a song for the bard supreme.

LYRICS:

oh, every girl in town, they know my name
at any door i’m never turned away
my tongue has many uses
(be it pleasure or excuses)
invite me in, but know i cannot stay

i’ve got a reputation to uphold
i’m in my prime, in spite of getting old
each tune and each recital
offers proof that i’m still vital
they buy my lies wherever they are sold

i go by many names and many faces
i’m infamous and wanted many places
i’m searching for, you see,
a missing part of me —
but let’s not look at that! alone, i’m free

this entertainer travels with a band
some friends who revel with me ‘cross the land
and though we’ve faced real danger
i still feel that i’m a stranger
like any story, nothing goes as planned

into my rambling life, there comes a tether
unfortunately two birds of a feather
a girl i wish i’d known
a daughter, smart and grown
she hates me, and again i am alone

now disillusioned with my fame
there’s one way i can clear my name:
embrace my kin and hence begin
a life of reparations

to prove i can be something more
to her (and me) i shut the door
on those i called my friends
and leave a wake of devastation

my selfhood making much more sense
my lifeblood given recompense
i find my self remaining incomplete

but all good stories have a knack
for recapitulation —
i’m beckoned back to once familiar streets

now as divine appointed storyteller crowned
i tell my tales both live and leather-bound
we all could use reminding
that our pasts are never binding
and any part that’s missing can be found

(i am in no way affiliated with critical role. i just think it’s really great.)

[EHarpst]

I confess I was most interested to see how you'd take on the challenge of Scanlan, a bard himself. A limerick rhyme scheme in a Mediterranean rhythm is not something I could have ever guessed at, yet somehow it's spot on. Automatically calls to mind lotharios and Romance languages and feels like something a classic entertainer would sing for a dinner or street audience. How are you always so perfect.

[GeldarionTFS]

This is your most complicated song in lyrics, cadence, rhythm, and melody. It is easy listening, but if someone actually attempted to play it, they'd see it was kinda in a bunch of keys with all of its borrowed chords, has a Spanish strum pattern, with an unusual rhyme scheme and sophisticated vocabulary and themes.

Basically, it looks upbeat and simple, but it has a lot of depth and complexity that smoothly deceives you into relaxing, then hits you in the feels.

Oh wait...

[treyclaymor]

Having "recapitulation" flow wonderfully as a lyric is some level 20 Bard shit in itself

[ZixiThePixie]

The contrast between the depth of the lyrics and the upbeat melody so perfectly encapsulates Scanlan, again, another absolute masterpiece!

[lancewhiteeagle]

As a country/folk guitarist, bravo on finding a strumming pattern that you can fit "recapitulation" into!
Always great!

[JosephTaber]

I like to imagine that in Exandria, this song is often used at weddings and other events in the same manner as “Under the Boardwalk” is in our world.

[deviant_ignis]

okay I don't know much about music but... the way the general melody stays kinda upbeat the whole time, just shaking a bit at the emotional parts feels reminiscent of how good of a liar Scanlan is, always keeping up the facade...
(amazing job as always, thanks for making me cry at 1:30 am again 🤍)

[salinatie]

It's baffling how clearly I can imagine Scanlan singing this song (like literally having Sam's voice in my head). It fits perfectly, I swear I hear him!

[Selioscosplay]

The fact that both this song and veths song are so complex, long and beautiful and full of so much meaning just speaks depths about the amount of meaning and thought Sam puts into his characters and the stories he can weave with comedy and tragedy. You've done so well expressing those emotions and rolling the story in his heart

[TimeturnerJ]

Oh wow... I can actually see Scanlan performing this song as his part of the Vox Machina legend. After all, he'll outlive most of them, but we all know he'll keep their story alive even long after they're gone. 😭🧡

And this song is so Scanlan. So jovial and upbeat, to hide the hurt hidden deep inside... But it's there in plain sight, if you just pay attention. :') You outdid yourself again!

[Mejoree]

That climbing melody into falsetto beginning at 3:10... perfect! Such a talent!

[Palestrike]

How are all of these so different and perfect??
I hate it.
Keep em coming, please.
<3

[LightningPiano]

I always find myself listening to these songs and being amazed that although they are never what I expected, they are exactly as they should be. The contrast between the music and the lyrics aligns so well with that between the character Scanlan puts on and the inner conflict he hides. Thanks for sharing this with us!!

[VenhedisKaffas]

I love that a bunch of your song lyrics just start upbeat and then at some point in the song it just slaps me in the face. Once again, it fits the character perfectly.

[DillonHockett]

Lili!
Thank you for doing justice to not only Scanlan, but Sam as well.
We love you, and we look forward to the next one.

[emmacox]

Here I was thinking it would be challenging to write a sentimental song about Scanlan, but this is honestly a favorite for me ❤

[OddAmy]

oh my god AGAIN with the killer content. You have such a gift for wordplay. I'm especially liked "They buy my lies wherever they are sold."

[quinnthebean]

Just like with campaign 2, these songs are coming out just as I start watching campaign 1. It was either "Pain and Pleasure" or "Bright" that was the first song of yours that I watched, a few weeks before I'd even started critical role, so I loved understanding more about the characters and their songs the further I got through the campaign. Once I started Critical Role, I revisited your songs with more understanding, and I kept coming back to them as I got further into their stories.

Although I know more about the basic plot points of campaign 1 than I did about campaign 2 when I started, I can't wait to see how watching the livestreams will change my view on these songs the further I get. You fill the songs with little references that I don't think are spoilers because you only know what it truly means once you know how it all fits in to the wider story.

Every time I am blown away by the range songs you are able to create, and the different styles and meanings you weave together. I can't wait for the next one :)

[xavierestelles]

Scanlan Is my favourite character of vox Machina, and you nailed him. I’m sure he’d appreciate that

[Faith]

The rhythm and tune of this song is so upbeat, and the lyrics are heart-strikingly emotional, just like a certain bard. I think you captured his essence so well, this was just delightful to hear but also deeply sensitive. Wonderful, as always.