Come all ye good people, and sit while I sing
Me tale's not too long, like a bell it will ring
I shall tell ye the story, of a fool -- that's me!
And how I came to live, in the palace of the Queen.

When me mother first named me, I were Lillan Washington
And me mother was Sarah, and she sure washed a ton
She hoped I would some day learn a washer to be
But all of the clothing, with me did not agree.

When first time I tried it, I had not much fun
For little did I know, I did do it all wrong
I did mix all the colors, which made Mother sad
For she would not get paid, for a job done bad.

So when I were fifteen, I thought to leave home
I kissed me dear mother, and set off alone
Though the streets they were lonely, and the cobblestones hard
I never once dreamed of, that old washing yard.

After many days walking, down that long dusty road
I met some gypsies who were counting their gold
Now I were so hungry, and me shoes were so worn
I begged of him money, to keep meself warm.

But one said to me "Young lass, now see ye here
Gold will not bring ye good luck or good cheer
But if ye've a skill, or a trade, ye'd get by
So if ye have time, I've a thing ye might try!"

Well I'd no sense to argue, so I sat at his side
And he took him his satchel, and he opened it wide
With a smile he did hand me, his tin whistle
And he taught me to play it till me head was full.

I learned from him three years, he taught what he knowed
I practiced every day, and I think it did showed
One day we were playing at the Dripping Dog Inn
When who should approach us, but the very good Queen.

She stopped her entourage so to us she could lis'n
Trough me dirt and me rags I kept right on whisl'n
Til she asked of me onwards with her to stay
And that tis where ye'll find me to this very day.

Though me title is Jester, I'm a minstrel at heart
I've me wits and me limmricks which do play a part
For to en'ertain all the Queen and her court
But me time it grows long now and tale it grows short
[SPOKEN] (Er...that is, me TALE grows long, and me TIME it runs short...
But I don't have a tail, really...well, not much of one, anyway!).

So for Barons and Adm'rals, Villagers and Rogues
And Huntsmen and Nobles, e'en Constables
I've played for the gypsies, a troll and a duck
And thus is the ballad of Lily Goodluck!

GRINNING DEMON AT LRF2007 Ben (AKA "The Grinning Demon") watches as Queen Elizabeth and Her Royal Court parades down to the Musicians' Jam on Sunday evening on Closing Weekend at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival 2007. Ben is usually found lurking around the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival, but lately he has been visiting LRF after TRF closes for the season!

WET CHEMISE CONTEST AT LRF 2007 For the entertainment of Queen Elizabeth, the Baron and several officiers of Albright Village took part in a Wet Chemise Contest on Sunday evening during Closing Weekend at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival 2007. Aye, the water was cold! And alas, their reaction to it was SO funny, this cameraman actually forgot himself for a moment and missed the best action as he was laughing too hard!!!

BOFFER SWORDS AT LRF2007 Gillian (in blue-and-red) crosses boffer swords in a friendly(?) match with a friend during Closing Weekend at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival 2007. Don't let her opponent's size fool you: the little lass was downright pugnacious thru all three rounds! Gillian, BTW, is also one of the bagpipers with the family troupe, Haggis Rampant. Check out www.haggisrampant.com for more information -- they have a new CD!

Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival held near Hammond, LA in the Parish of Tangipahoa. All opinions expressed herein are strictly this author's own. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright ©2003-2007 by George Laking.