Those of you still living under rocks may not be across the Bardcore phenomenon that is about the only good thing to have hit the mainstream in 2020.
I have a slightly wider definition of what constitutes Bardcore than Wikipedia, which as of 15th October 2020 says:
Bardcore (or tavernwave) is an internet phenomenon that became popular in 2020 consisting of medieval inspired remakes of hit pop and rock songs
Wikipedia, 15th October 2020
I would add to this definition:
as well as excellent original medieval songs that are as impactful today as in the good old days
Phillip Kingston, 15th October 2020
I first got into bards when I played Everquest in my teens, a pioneering MMORPG computer game, and then their analogue in Dark Age of Camelot being the minstrel.
Here are some crackers to get you started on your Bardcore journey, you Hedge-born Knaves (a popular Medieval insult actually part of a Defamation suit in 1555).
Here is what got me into the Bardcore scene, a song by power metal group Blind Guardian who did an eclectic folk song called “The Bard’s Song (In the Forest)”. Thoroughly worth a listen:
So there you have it, if you take up my invitation to dabble in the Bardcore, you can easily lose 48 hours of your life on YouTube/Spotify’s Bardcore channels.
Nicholas of Cusa put it splendidly, speaking of the Bardcore movement of 2020:
For even he who is most greedy for knowledge can achieve no greater perfection than to be thoroughly aware of his own ignorance in his particular field. The more be known, the more aware he will be of his ignorance.
Nicholas of Cusa
Oh, if you came here for a good Medieval song, try Greensleeves, you’ll have definitely heard it before. You’re welcome.