Hey all -- <br><br>I'm sure the archives are filled with what follows. Here are a few dictionary definitions of 'bard' (not to be confused with OUR SCA sense of 'bard' :) )<br>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""> Bard:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="">1.<span style=""> </span>(formerly)
a person who composed and recited epic or heroic poems, often while playing the
harp, lyre, or the like. </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="">2.<span style=""> </span>one
of an ancient Celtic order of composers and reciters of poetry. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="display: none;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="">3.<span style=""> </span>any
poet. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="display: none;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="">4.<span style=""> </span>the
bard, William Shakespeare. </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < Celt; cf. Ir, ScotGael <i>bard,</i>
Welsh <i>bardd,</i> Breton <i>barz</i> < IE <i>*g<sup>w</sup>rs-do-s</i>
singer, akin to Albanian <i>grisha</i> (I) invited (to a wedding)<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Pastor/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" class="luna-Img" border="0" height="4" width="2">] </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">—Related forms</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">bardic, adjective </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">bardish, bardlike, adjective </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">bardship, noun </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><a href="http://Dictionary.com">Dictionary.com</a> Unabridged (v 1.1)<br>
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.</i></p>
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Unabridged (v 1.1)</i></a> - <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=bard&ia=luna" target="_blank">Cite This Source</a> - <i><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bard#sharethis">Share This</a>
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</p><b>bard<sup> </sup></b>
<ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">One of an ancient Celtic
order of minstrel poets who composed and recited verses celebrating the
legendary exploits of chieftains and heroes.</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">A poet, especially a lyric
poet.</li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>[Middle English, from
Irish and Scottish Gaelic <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Courier New";">bard</span> and from Welsh <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Courier New";">bardd</span>;
see <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Courier New";">g<sup>w</sup>erə-</span><sup>2</sup>
in Indo-European roots.] <br>
<br>
<b>bard'ic</b><i> adj.</i> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=""></span>bard </b> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1449, from Scottish, from O.Celt. bardos "poet,
singer," from PIE base *gwer- "to lift up the voice, praise." In
historic times, a term of contempt among the Scots (who considered them
itinerant troublemakers), but one of great respect among the Welsh. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"All vagabundis, fulis, bardis, scudlaris, and siclike
idill pepill, sall be brint on the cheek." [local Scottish ordinance,
c.1500]</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Subsequently idealized by Scott in the more ancient sense of
"lyric poet, singer." Poetic use of the word in English is from Gk. bardos,
L. bardus, both from Gaulish. Bardolatry "worship of Shakespeare (the
'Bard of Avon')" first recorded 1901.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/wn.html" title="Click for more information about this dictionary"><i>WordNet</i></a> - <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=bard&ia=wn" target="_blank">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b> bard</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>noun</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="">1. <span style=""> </span>a lyric poet </p>
If anyone has an OED, I'm sure it is even more complete.<br><br>In my experience, the SCA generally uses the term to refer to anyone who performs vocally. Many would include those who perform instrumentally and I have actually competed in two Gulf Wars
<b>Bardic</b> competitions dancing -- though it is a real stretch IMO to include dance under the rubric 'bard' (however, the annual Welsh Eisteddfod includes and entire day of dance competition). Thus, we tend to conflate singers, poets, story tellers, in a narrow definition of 'bard,' who are joined by instrumentalists, actors, performance artist (for example, jugglers and those who practice legerdemain) and dancers under a broad interpretation.
<br><br>Those who are interested in a more authentic persona play might find they should more accurately be known as troubadours, skalds, minstrels, trouveurs, jongleurs, poets, singers, thespians, and the like.<br><br>I think a good working definition of a bard (for SCA purposes) might be 'one who performs narrative.' Most, but not all, songs, poems, and tales meet that criterion. Some instrumental music does (if you don't think so, I'd suggest listening to some Klezmer). Some dance does so. A juggler who simply exhibits skill without more would not be a bard under my definition. Caveat: None of this should be confused with gate-keeping in circles or competitions.
<br><br>Your mileage may differ . . . as may mine after more reflection.<br><br>~ihon<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>