Necklace of El-Ahrairah: American Pie, a watership down fanfic

Author's Note: I've always wanted to think about writing this short story and imagine if I was singing to The Rabbits of Watership Down. The real inspiration of the short story is a live version of American Pie by Don McLean from 1972 BBC Sounds For Saturday. Also, other songs will be featured in this short story as well.

The night was too peaceful beautiful that I couldn't stay inside the burrow. I was human for the night... Saturday. That I remember. The Battle was over and we were at peace again. I couldn't help, but take my guitar and decided to strum some chords for the night. I brought out my blankets, my pillow, and some sticks that I could start a light fire around the less grass. After setting up, as if I was camping, I started to go through songs that I enjoy the most and was about ready to do some songs around the fire. I started to hum some of the songs I was doing to one of my favorite classic songs. However, I was planning to save it for the grand finale.

However, I was simply starting with some country...

Hadn't had a good time
Since you know when
Got talked into goin' out
With hopes you were stayin' in

I was feeling like myself for the first time
In a long time
'Till I bumped into some of your friends
Over there talkin' to mine

Then you roll in with your hair in the wind
Baby without warning
I was doin' alright but just your sight
Had my heart stormin'

The moon went hiding
Stars quit shining
Rain was dropping
Thunder 'n lightning
You wrecked my whole world when you came
And hit me like a hurricane
You hit me like a hurricane-

"What in Frith's name are you doing?!" I heard Bigwig coming towards me, with Hazel, Fiver, Clover, Captain Holly and Hyzenthlay.

"Good evening." I friendly greet them. "Just thought of staying outside for night. The fire is not much danger, I'm maintaining it."

"Yes, but your singing will attract elil!" Bigwig exclaimed.

"It's a peaceful night. I even checked my surroundings, above and ground." I told him. "Care to join me around the fire?"

"And what exactly were you doing?" Hazel asked.

"Singing songs around the fire. Basically, I felt like camping out here for the night." I answered.

"We never slept out here forever, since Sandleford. It'll be nice to try it again." Fiver added.

"I agree." Captain Holly agreed, with the does agreeing as well.

"Would you be able to sing songs? I remember Lucy singing as well to us at night." Clover asked.

"Of course. I'll start right now, if you guys care to join." I answered and offered them to join me.

"Alright, it's been awhile Fiver and I have done. It's more nicer to have everyone joining together. More the merrier." Hazel agreed, as he and his little brother came to join me, with Clover, Captain Holly and Hyzenthlay. As we're around the fire, there's one more rabbit in the group that we turned towards to see if he joins us... Bigwig.

"Come now, Thlayli. It wouldn't be the same without you." Captain Holly persuaded Bigwig to join us.

Bigwig took a deep breath and slowly came towards us and looked at me. "You really have a hope, do you human. Alright, let's get on with it." He than sat down by the fire.

"Well... which song will you start with?" Hazel smiled.

I started to strum the chords and started with another song.

Your daddy had a lakehouse
He had me paint in that summer sophomore year
Said I could stay for free
A couple buddies, a couple weeks
You roll in in a little red Honda
And headed straight for the pier
Tank top and cutoff jeans
A little PacSun underneath
Who knew it was 'bout to be

Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat
Moonlight, all night, crashing into me
Nothing will ever be easy as you and me
Tangled up with nowhere to be
Just sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat
Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat, ayy

I turned those shutters the color of your eyes
'Til the day turned into night
And took turns with a jar
Turn that boat dock into a bar
And then we passed the guitar around the fire to each other
And watched all of our friends pair off with one another
But we felt like the stars we were under
And everybody knew that that was our summer

Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat
Moonlight, all night, crashing into me
Nothing will ever be easy as you and me
Tangled up with nowhere to be
Just sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat
Yeah

Whoa
We set July on fire
Whoa
Yeah, girl, you and I were
Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat

Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat

The rabbits cheered, as I did a little bow. Before I started another song...

"Didn't I hear singing going?" Bluebell hopped over with Blackberry, Thethuthinnang and Strawberry.

"I knew it'll be his singing voice, when I hear it." Thethuthinnang smiled and gave me a nuzzle.

"Oh Brambles, what you lot up to?" Strawberry asked.

"We're just around the fire and I was singing to Hazel and group. You care to join us?" I offered.

"After sharing you with stories and jokes, I'll love to hear those songs." Bluebell stated.

"It'll be fascinating." Blackberry stated.

As they joined us, I resumed and started a new song...

Hadn't had a good time
Since you know when
Got talked into goin' out
With hopes you were stayin' in

I was feeling like myself for the first time
In a long time
'Till I bumped into some of your friends
Over there talkin' to mine

Then you roll in with your hair in the wind
Baby without warning
I was doin' alright but just your sight
Had my heart stormin'

The moon went hiding
Stars quit shining
Rain was dropping
Thunder 'n lightning
You wrecked my whole world when you came
And hit me like a hurricane
You hit me like a hurricane

Knew it was gonna be a long night
From the moment when
We locked eyes over whiskey on ice
Talkin' 'bout us again
If I woulda just layed my drink down
And walked out
I wouldn't be in my truck
Driving us to your house

But you rolled in with your hair in the wind
Baby without warning
I was doin alright but just your sight
Had my heart stormin'

The moon went hiding
Stars quit shining
Rain was dropping
Thunder 'n lightning
You wrecked my whole world when you came
And hit me like a hurricane
You hit me like a hurricane

Yeah we go to five
With your smile, blew me away
And girl it ain't but midnight
She gon' kill the lights
Bring my heart back to your bedside
Then you roll in with your hair in the wind
Baby without warning
I was doin' alright but just your sight
Had my heart stormin'

The moon went hiding
Stars quit shining
Rain was dropping
Thunder 'n lightning
You wrecked my whole world when you came
And hit me like a hurricane
You hit me like a hurricane
Hit me like a hurricane

When I finished singing, there were more rabbits joining us, including Blackavar, Campion, Hawkbit and Dandelion. It now seemed that everyone from our warren was present. It was almost like we were having a bonfire party. I began with another, after everyone had a spot.

You get your hands in it
Plant your roots in it
Dusty head lights dance with your boots in it (dirt)

You write her name on it
Spin your tires on it
Build your corn field, whiskey
Bonfires on it (dirt)
You bet your life on it

Its that elm shade
Red roads clay you grew up on
That plowed up ground That your dad
Damned his luck on That post game party field
You circled up on
And when it rains You get stuck on
Drift a cloud back Behind county roads
That you run up
The mud on her jeans that she peeled off
And hung up
Her blue eyed Summer time smile
Looks so good that it hurts
Makes you wanna build
A 10 percent down
White picket fence house on this dirt

You've mixed some sweat with it
Taken a shovel to it
You've stuck some crosses and some painted
Goal posts through it (dirt)
You know you came from it (dirt)
And some day you'll return to

Its that elm shade
Red roads clay you grew up on
That plowed up ground that your dad
Damned his luck on that post game party field
You circled up on
And when it rains you get stuck on
Drift a cloud back Behind county roads
That you run up
The mud on her jeans that she peeled off
And hung up
Her blue eyed summer time smile
Looks so good that it hurts
Makes you wanna build
A 10 percent down
White picket fence house on this dirt

You came from it,
And some day you'll return to

Makes you wanna build
A 10 percent down
White picket fence house on this dirt

You came from it,
And some day you'll return to it

The rabbits cheered and applauded. I stopped to have a short break.

"So, Kevin, why do you like these songs?" Hyzenthlay asked.

"I enjoy country songs, because it describes who I am." I answered.

"Like the song, Captain Holly and I heard, before we caught you. On The Road Again?" Bigwig asked.

"Like Hurricane?" Blackberry added.

"Or... Tell It To My Heart?" Hazel smirked.

"Excuse me?" I turned towards Hazel.

The Rabbits chuckled, especially the bucks. Probably he told him about him clicking to wrong song. "I'm joking with you."

"Great joke, from Hazel-rah!" Bluebell cheered.

"No, no... I meant for songs such as, Country Boy's World and Maybe It's Time." he corrected himself, as I laughed along the bucks.

"Like the song, I Walk The Line?" Fiver added.

"Five Hundred Miles... I remember you were driving us crazy with that song during our journey to Watership Down." Hawkbit recalled.

"A cheer song, before we got caught, called Big Rocky Candy Mountain." Bluebell added.

"Beautiful songs we sang together... Shallow and Goodbye Town." Thethuthinnang recalled the first two songs we sang together.

"Finally... Vincent. You sang to me at The Great Water." Captain Holly finally added.

"Yes... on all them." I was amazed they remembered the songs that I sang and shared with them. "Here's a song that honors the country music songs, especially the ones that were in this song."

I began to strum the chords again and started new song.

One two three

Well you're not supposed to say the word "cancer", in a song.
And tellin' folks Jesus is the answer, can rub 'em wrong.
It ain't hip to sing about tractors, trucks,
Little towns, or mama, yeah that might be true.
But this is country music and we do

Do you like to drink a cold one
On the weekend and get a little loud?
Do you wanna say I'm sorry or I love you
But you don't know how?
Do you wish somebody had the nerve
To tell that stupid boss of yours
To shove it, next time he yells at you
Well this is country music and we do

So turn it on, turn it up, and sing along
This is real, this is your life in a song
Yeah this is country music

Are you haunted by the echo of your mother, on the phone
Cryin' as she tells you that your brother is not coming home?
And if there's anyone that still has pride and the memory of those
That died defending the old red, white, and blue,
This is country music and we do

So turn it on, turn it up, and sing along
This is real, this is your life in a song
Just like a road that takes you home
Yeah this is right where you belong
This is country music

This is country music
He stopped lovin' her today
(This is country music)
Hello darlin'
(This is country music)
God bless the USA
(This is country music)
Amarillo by morning
(This is country music)
Stand by your man
(This is country music)
Momma tried
(This is country music)
Take me home
(This is country music)
I walk the line
(This is country music)

"Hey! That's the song I heard!" Bluebell exclaimed.

"Bluebell!" Blackberry reprehended him, as I chuckled, before I continued.

Country boy can survive
(This is country music)

The rabbits cheered once again. Thethuthinnang nuzzled me, as I gave her a hug. "What's your favorite song?" Campion asked me.

"I've many, however if it regards to time period, these next two songs are my personal favorite from the 70s. Those two songs were sung by the name of Don McLean." Afterwards, I started to strum once again.

"Will I have to say, that was impressive singing you have done." Bigwig admits.

"Thanks Plump Rabbit." I thanked him for a light joke to top it off.

"Excuse me, Plump Rabbit?!" The rabbits chuckled, as Bigwig hear the nickname given by Kehaar. He than tackled me, as I playfully got him off of me.

"I'm messing with you, Bigwig." I kidded him. "You know, you're always adorable whenever you're angry, but strongest at the same time."

Bigwig sighed. "Well, I'm a fighter. At least you're almost like a hlessi."

The rabbits gasped, as I smirked and shook my head. "Don't worry, we're friends and I'll get him back."

I dismissed his insult, but Bigwig really does have heart, especially the journeys we faced together. I resumed strumming the guitar.

"The next song, you guys can sing a along with me for this next song. It's one of my favorite classics." I offered the rabbits to join me sing in this next song.

A long long time ago
I can still remember how
That music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
So

At this point, everyone started to join along in the chorus and at some points in the song. While at the same time, the rabbits became interested in the song

Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock and roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singin'

Now, for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rolling stone
But, that's not how it used to be

When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me

Oh and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned

And while Lennon read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
We were singin'

Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
And singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

I started to tear up a bit from singing the song. Captain Holly and Thethuthinnang placed their paws on my shoulders for comfort.

Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast

It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance

'Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?
We started singin'

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again

So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the devil's only friend

Oh and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan's spell

And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
He was singin'

Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away

I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play

And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken

And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singing

They were singing
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die

The rabbits cheered and applauded, as I gave Captain Holly and Thethuthinnang a hug, as well with Hazel and Fiver. I looked at the fire to see the flame is nearly dead. The stars were brighter than the flames, as the stars brightened the night. I looked at Captain Holly, as we both exchanged a smile. I began strumming the guitar, as I was starting the first notes of the song I sang to him at the Starry Beach Night.

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night
You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in the ragged clothes
The silver thorn, a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

As I finished the final chords, the rabbits cheered and applauded. After we finished with the songs, everyone stayed out to watch the evening midnight stars. Not a single elil was out for tonight. We slept out here that night. Bluebell was with his mate, at some instances, not sure he was dreaming or being playful in his sleep that he kisses Blackberry. Bigwig and Strawberry were close to each other asleep, as well with Hazel and Fiver, and their mates. Captain Holly and Hyzenthlay were next to each other, as they slept. Next to them was Thethuthinnang and myself. I watched everyone asleep, before I rested upon Thethuthinnang and fell asleep.

Songs Featured in This Short Story:

Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset - Luke Bryan

Hurricane - Luke Combs

Dirt - Florida Georgia Line

This Is Country Music - Brad Paisley

American Pie - Don McLean

Vincent - Don McLean