Techno-Filk Songs

by

Isaac Bonewits

Songs on this page: Many Happy Returns, Pict Song 2.0,

Typographical notes: A tilde (~) is used to indicate ornamentation throughout, with double tildes indicating more of the same. Either a slash (/) or an "incorrect" comma may be used to indicate phrasing. Foreign language text (usually Irish) is set in a "Plain" typeface, since diacriticals (accent marks) in italics are too hard to read. As usual, italics are used to indicate choruses or refrains. Lines in italics usually indicate a chorus or refrain.

I'd like to emphasize here that I am grossly ignorant of hacking or cracking techniques and do not practice any form of illegal computer art or science. I'd like to have the option to, but I have enough trouble with learning human languages that machine ones are right out of the question!

Many Happy Returns

© 1997, 2001 c.e.
words by Isaac Bonewits
music Neopagan trad. ("Return, Return, Return, Return")

Silicon, plastic, current and code;
Return, Return, Return, Return,
Point to point and node to node,
Return, Return, Return, Return,

We cruise the undernet so free,
Return, Return, Return, Return,
Hacking away so merrily.
Return, Return, Return, Return,

With a password dumb the way is won,
Return, Return, Return, Return,
To a 386 in the Pentagon.
Return, Return, Return, Return,

From Accounting to Procurement see 
Return, Return, Return, Return,
COBAL to SNOBAL to Fortran to C.
Return, Return, Return, Return,

"Dilbert" as I-D works just swell,
Return, Return, Return, Return,
To MacDonald, Douglas and Rockwell.
Return, Return, Return, Return,

Their backup files of software old 
Return, Return, Return, Return,
Give us the missle launching code 
Return, Return, Return, Return,

Back to the Pentagon we zoom 
Return, Return, Return, Return,
And down the pipes to the old War Room.
Return, Return, Return, Return,

The stolen code we neatly hide 
Return, Return, Return, Return,
And the missle silos open wide.
Return, Return, Return, Return,

Chemical, bio and nuclear,
Return, Return, Return, Return,
Four more keys will start the war:
Return, Return, Return -- Escape!
 

Pict Song 2.0

words © 1994, 2001 c.e. by Isaac Bonewits
(based on R. Kipling's "Pict Song")
music © 1965 by Leslie Fish (for R.K.'s poem)
Key of A-minor

[Spoken Envoi:]
We are the little folk, we, tapping away on our keys,
Sailing the silicon sea, weaving the Net as we please...

Eternally tyranny spreads,
Always its heavy hoofs fall~~
On our paychecks, our votes, and our beds,
And the strong never heed when we squall.
Their power grows on and that's all;
And they think themselves safe in their greed,~~
Behind each secure firewall,
Ignoring the rage of our breed.

We are the little folk, we, too little to love or to hate;~~
Just the techno-peasantry, but watch as we drag down the great!
We are the bug in the code. We are the gap in the text.~~
We are the data grown old. We are the program that's -- hexed.

They seem immune to all threat,
Their power so vast and so vile.~~
But we have learned on the Net
How to tap any government file
Or corporate scheme, and we smile,
As the bastards go mad in their quest~~
For the ones who've exposed all their guile,
While logging on only as "Guest!"

We are the little folk, we, too little to love or to hate;~~
Just the techno-peasantry, but watch as we drag down the State!

No, maybe we are not strong,
But we know hackers who are,~~
And gladly we'll guide them along,
With I-Ds to take them in far,
And passwords to clear every bar
To databanks musty and deep.~~
And we'll dump all the dirt star-dot-star,
To the Net, while our rulers still sleep!

We are the little folk, we, too little to love or to hate;~~
Just the techno-peasantry, but watch as we drag down the great!
We are the bug in the code. We are the gap in the text.~~
We are the data grown old. We are the program that's hexed.
Yes, we are the little folk, we, tapping away on our keys,~~
Sailing the silicon sea, weaving the Net as we please...
 

All songs are copyright © as marked and renewed in 2005 c.e., by Isaac Bonewits (and co-authors). Individual song lyrics by Isaac Bonewits may be freely distributed on the Net, provided that no editing is done, copyright dates and names are properly listed and everything in this notice box is included. If you would like to record one or more of his songs, please contact him. If you would like to be on one or more of Isaac Bonewits’ emailing lists, click here to get subscription information.

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