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"I want to marry Saffron!
I want to be her man.
One of those she's hitched
and then left ditched.
We are a mighty clan!
I want to marry Saffron!
I want her for my bride.
Even though my tale
will end in jail
You know it's worth the ride!
You know it's worth the ride."

OK, you could do better. And you really, really should.

Over the years fans have written beautiful, funny, emotional songs about Mal, and the crew, and the ship, and the 'verse. But we've never heard any original songs about my favorite character, Saffron. As far as I can tell, there are exactly two: Saffron's wedding song from the soundtrack (later covered by The Bedlam Bards on their "On the Drift" CD) and "Saffron," a filk to the tune of Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" by the immortal Lux Lucre.

That's it? I can't understand this. YoSaffBridge is definitely someone who would inspire songs. Cautionary ones, at least. We've seen stories, poems, even limericks, but where are the ballads about this beautiful, deceitful redhead?

Well, they're here. During June, anyway. I'm announcing "Sing a Song of Saffron," a month-long contest for great prizes, to be judged by me, The Bedlam Bards, and Saffron herself, actress Christina Hendricks! Send in your best original song or filk and win autographed "Firefly" soundtracks, a Jason Palmer Saffron portrait, copies of the "Out in the Black" RPG, "Serenity" money packs, t-shirts, an autographed picture of the lady in question, even a custom-made Saffron Barbie!

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Songs will be posted at http://www.myspace.com/singasongofsaffron, and there will be prizes for Best Original, Best Filk, and a Browncoats' Choice chosen by reader votes. Entries will be accepted from June 1st - 30th, 2007, enter as often as you like.

And everyone who enters will get a pack of 5 different marriage certificates from around the 'verse (with the bride's part helpfully filled in already)!

So get to singing! Go to http://www.serenitystuff.com for more details and submission guidelines.

A very cool competition! Saffron is such a lovely little vixen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_wink.gif) I'm looking forward to hear the songs.


And for those that are really, really dumb and out in the dark - like me - here's and explanation for flik. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_redface.gif) Even though I'm not native speaker of English it rarely comes (in a discussion board environment like this) to that I can't even begin to guess what an unfamiliar word like that means.

Thanks for the explanation. Not so sure I can come up with anyone terrific, but I'll try! It's good to be back!

Damn! She's beautiful! Her eyes make me weak. I'm not the song writer type but from the looks of some brown coats here there's going to be some talent. Can't wait to hear the songs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_cool.gif)

There are only a couple of filk songs listed. I know there are more out there, and as much as I would like to win, I feel that there needs to be more competition. Don't let the gorram feds keep you away. Start thinking and brainstorming and send them in.

The 'Other' Joe

The "Sing a Song of Saffron" contest has ended, the entries are in, and voting is open until midnight on July 14th. There are prizes for original songs as well as filk. Listen and vote for your favorites:

http://www.serenitystuff.com/saffron/entries.htm

(In the interest of full disclosure, I did enter the contest, but the administrator didn't post an announcement here, and I figured somebody should. I actually want to get some more unbiased votes coming in, since it's currently a badger-all-your-friends-into-voting scenario, which is never fun.)

And if you don't have time to listen to everything, you can amuse yourself by reading the lyrics -- some are really funny!