Summer Russell - When We're Together

A love song to fandom, filk and family, with a special dedication to our absent friends.
Everything you see here has some significance: the t-shirt is from the music track at Dragon*Con '99, my first convention. Unfortunately, the awesome purple dragon on a guitar headstock is hiding behind my actual guitar. I made the tiara for a recent convention--the same one, in fact, where this song's life began. The tiara and bright colors are also a tribute to Diane and Kira, two sweet friends and Pretty Pretty Princesses who passed away last year.
A few of my fandoms are represented in the background. Can you spot them all? (Lego Filker Lady Marian is in the foreground, hiding in plain sight.)
The video may need some volume, but a higher-quality audio download of this song is available at summerrussell.b...
Videos on this channel are made possible by my generous patrons at / summerrussell . You can follow the link to learn more. Thank you! :)
***
As I awaken in the morning
There is a magic in the air
I know the voices of my people
Humming gently everywhere
And there is laughter from the hallway
Friendly faces come alive
As if we'd gathered in this place for always
Although we've only just arrived.
Now put on all your pretty ribbons, dear
And ring the bells and all draw near
So we may make our music bright
And paint the sky with sound and light
And sing in our imperfect harmony.
In the clasp of our reunion
Within the circle of our song
We are joined in absolution
We have found where we belong.
And so our memories will bind us
Though we may scatter with the wind
Home and family will find us
If we keep them close within.
So pack up all your pretty ribbons, dear
We'll bring them out again next year
And if we keep our music bright,
The time will fly until the night
We sing in our imperfect harmony.
We are waiting for the moment
We are holding to our someday dreams
When love will spill beyond the broken borders
And fill the spaces in between
When all our fretting and rehearsal
Set the stage for something new
Something more when we're together
Something wonderful and true.
Bring out all your pretty ribbons, dear
And ring the bells and all draw near
So we may make our music bright
And paint the sky with sound and light
And sing in our imperfect harmony
Put on all your pretty ribbons, dear
And ring the bells and all draw near
So we may make our music bright
And paint the sky with sound and light
And sing in our imperfect harmony
In harmony.

[@laurenoxfordmusic]

Summer, I'm watching this with tears in my eyes... this song encapsulates the filk community so completely and fills my heart with the same warmth and love I feel at cons. And all the symbolism in what you included adds to that feeling even more. Y'know, one of next year's floating categories for the Pegasus Awards is "Songs about Community." I can't think of a more perfect example than this.

[@BethPizana]

Pretty as always m'lady

[@SummerRussell]

Thank you so much, beautiful!