Follow the Will-O’-the-Wisp (MP3, Lyrics) (Patreon)

I did not expect to write a new song today. But sometimes that's just what happens. So let me tell you the long, drawn out story of "Follow the Will-o'-the-Wisp".

Sometime in the spring, I was trail biking with a friend. He had a flashing red light on the back of his bike. I was doing my best to keep up, but not doing great. The light just disappeared into the woods with an occasional red flash. It reminded me of the will-o'-the-wisps from Dungeons & Dragons days. So instead of peddling faster, I started singing the chorus. Or at least "Follow the will-o-the-wisp" part before I crashed, flipping my bike and deciding it was time to go home.

Flash forward a few months to July or August. I decided to work with that little fragment of a song that I recorded onto my phone. But I got creative... or lazy depending on your point of view.

I wondered what ChatGPT could do with the idea of me biking and the will-o-the-wisp. I explored a variety of different styles. I added a little flirtation device to the idea. I had a LOT of fun messing with the idea. And honestly, I liked some of the lyrics that ChatGPT came up with. It also had some cool ideas.

This was about the time I really started thinking why do I write songs? What do I want to create and hopefully outlive me? Do I want to just create music and leave the songwriting to someone else?

Dragon Con came. Andrew and I led a panel with other Filkers about AI and creating music. That's when I decided that I started playing music to be a songwriter. I want to write (and perform) songs. So using ChatGPT doesn't fulfill my goal of writing songs.

So I sat down and wrote some folk lyrics for this song with a touch of flirtation in it. Yes. I'll still used ChatGPT to edit. And I liked some of the edits it recommended. However, I didn't use any of its edits either. I liked the lyrics I created. Maybe it'll get edited again in the future. But for now, I'm pleased with my new song. I hope you enjoy it too.

(Oh, but I did create an image in ChatGPT to offer a visual to the song. It took my original idea, oddly enough. It's cute. But this is as far as it goes)

Follow the Will-O’-the-Wisp

Lyrics and music Marc Gunn

Follow the will o the wisp. Follow the teaseWill it lead you astray? As you weave through the treesBlinking and flashing. It’s just like gameFollow the will o the wisp wherever it straysFollow the will o the wisp wherever it strays

She was young. She was fair. And she danced in the woods.Her dark smile bouncing. Everywhere that she stoodNearly every step forward, saw the flicker of a smirkIf I’d know what I know now I’d’  ve fled if I could

Follow the will o the wisp. Follow the teaseWill it lead you astray? As you weave through the treesBlinking and flashing. It’s just like gameFollow the will o the wisp wherever it straysFollow the will o the wisp wherever it strays

I could not resist her. Guided me on the pathThen she darted through bushes with a dazzling laughEvery breath that I took was a flickering fireFell not into her but into the quagmire

Follow the will o the wisp. Follow the teaseWill it lead you astray? As you weave through the treesBlinking and flashing. It’s just like gameFollow the will o the wisp wherever it straysFollow the will o the wisp wherever it strays

I was lost in the woods, breathing heavy in the mistHow I wish I had caught her intoxicating blissNow I never will walk near the woods by my homeBecause I know she will flash and leave me all alone

Follow the will o the wisp. Follow the teaseWill it lead you astray? As you weave through the treesBlinking and flashing. It’s just like gameFollow the will o the wisp wherever it straysFollow the will o the wisp wherever it strays