The Ballad of Joss
as performed by The Bedlam Bards
on On the Drift
Lyrics by James Hazelrig
Music by Ben Edlund



Joss, the man they call Joss...

He wrote about spaceships and shepherds and whores,
Stood up to the networks and gave 'em what for.
Fox cancelled his program, but that was their loss--
The creator of Firefly, the man they call Joss!

Joss saw the viewer's hearts breakin',
He heard the Browncoats' lament,
He saw Fox management takin',
His show in a way that made no sense.
(He said) "You can't do that to my program,
Can't grind it under your heel."
So he took all his cast, and now at last,
They've landed a Big Damn Movie Deal!

Now here is what separates Firefly
From other shows you're likely to see:
It's meaningful and witty, and the setting's really gritty,
And the theme song's about Serenity
It's a little like a western, (hyah!)
And a little like X-Files,
It's better than Trek and it's funnier than Shrek,
And it beats out Andromeda by miles!

Now here is what separates Whedon,
From writers who slave in the core:
The man they call Joss, well, he said to Fox,
"I'm going where no show has gone before."
He told us about reavers,
He told us about sin,
He took us to the black and we ain't comin' back,
'till all those crazy Browncoats rise again!

Background by Daniel Womack: This song was a filk of the original song "The Hero of Canton" from the episode entitled "Jayne's Town" of the TV Series, Firefly. Listed below are the original lyrics, also performed (not originally) by The Bedlam Bards on On the Drift.

The Hero of Canton
Lyrics and music by Ben Edlund

Jayne, the man they call Jane...

He robbed from the rich and he gave to the poor.
Stood up to the man and gave him what for.
Our love for him now ain't hard to explain.
The hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne.

Our Jayne saw the mudders' backs breakin'
He saw the mudders' lament
And he saw the magistrate takin'
Ever dollar and leavin' five cents.
He said, "You can't do that to my people.
Can't crush them under your heel."
So Jayne strapped on his hat, and in five seconds flat
Stole everything Boss Higgins had to steal.

Now here is what separates heroes
From common folk like you and I.
The man they call Jayne, he turned 'round his plane
And let that money hit the sky.
He dropped it onto our houses
He dropped it into our yards
The man they call Jayne, he stole away our pain
and headed out for the stars!

If you liked this song, are a browncoat and/or you would like to see more Firefly/Serenity related songs in this directory, please do not hesitate to contact me at lyrics@renaissancefestivalmusic.com.