**"20th Maine Blues"**

Prompt: Simpsons fanfiction bart writes and records a country song about the 20th Maine

Bart Simpson sat in his dimly lit bedroom, posters of skateboards and comic book heroes plastered on the walls. But today, the usual chaos of his colorful imagination was channeled into something unexpected: a country song. He leaned back in his creaky chair, his guitar resting on his knee, a bemused smile creeping across his face. The idea had struck him after an afternoon field trip at school, where his history teacher prattled on about a regiment he’d found particularly fascinating—the 20th Maine. The day had been hot, and Bart's mind wandered as Mr. Chalmers detailed the valiant efforts of the 20th Maine during the Battle of Gettysburg. While his classmates battled boredom, Bart’s imagination ran wild. He pictured soldiers, weary yet steadfast, standing bravely against the backdrop of endless fields. He could hear the distant sounds of cannon fire mingling with the twang of a country guitar—his favorite sounds. “Why not combine them?” he had thought, a glimmer of mischief flickering in his blue eyes. And now, with his trusty guitar in hand, he was ready to write the defining ode to this courageous regiment. “Alright, let’s do this,” he murmured to himself, strumming a few chords to warm up. He decided the song needed a catchy intro, something to hook the listener right away. He jotted down a few lines in his tattered notebook. "In the rain and mud, they stood so tall, 20th Maine, they answered the call. Brothers in arms, from far and wide; they gave it all, with arms open wide." Bart grinned at the catchy phrasing he conjured. He imagined his friends listening in awe, their eyes widening with respect as he transformed himself from a punkish schoolboy into a patriotic bard. As he continued to write, the lyrics flowed out like a river, and he became lost in the narrative of the brave soldiers. He paced his room, imagining the faces of heroes etched into time. "What would it feel like?" he pondered. “To be standing there, in the middle of a battle, knowing it’s life or death?” The picture haunted him but also inspired him. He wanted to celebrate their bravery. With newfound determination, he hunched over his notebook, adding depth to his creation. “Forty-eight hours in the heat of a fight, the 20th fought strong with all of their might,” he wrote, the rhythm working in unison with the fabric of history he’d just learned. Bart could almost hear the strumming of a banjo in the backdrop. As he continued, the chorus began to take shape. Bart envisioned the song resonating throughout the school, the catchy tune broadcast from a jerry-rigged speaker, with chants of “20th Maine” echoing throughout Springfield Elementary. “20th Maine, you’ll forever be, Heroes of a time forged in memory. When the cannons roared, and the bullets fell, You stood for the right, you fought through hell.” As he played through the chorus, excitement bubbled within him. This was it. He had created something bigger than himself, something worth sharing. The song morphed into an anthem, a synergy of history and modern flair blending effortlessly like a perfect country-western duet. But how would he present it? Bart imagined the many ways he could share his work with the world. A live performance? A recording? Or maybe a mixtape slipped into the hands of his buddies, causing a revolution of country music appreciation at Springfield Elementary? His mind whirled with possibilities. Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open with a loud bang, revealing Lisa, his ever-tactical sister. “Bart! Are you in there playing your ridiculous music again? You know you’ll never become a famous country star, right?” she smirked, leaning against the door frame. Bart smirked back, unperturbed. “You just don’t get it, Lise. This isn’t just any song—it’s about the 20th Maine. It’s history!” “Yeah, I know about them. They lost, right?” Lisa replied, crossing her arms defiantly. “Lost battles don’t mean lost causes!” Bart shouted, half-jokingly. “They fought bravely, standing for something bigger than themselves. It’s about unity and courage!” Lisa raised an eyebrow. “Fine, Mr. History Buff. But does it have a cool beat?” “Wanna listen?” Bart offered, strumming a playful riff while Lisa rolled her eyes. Clearly, she had little faith in his musical ambitions. Nevertheless, she stepped into the room, curiosity piqued. As Bart sang the chorus for her, he saw her interest slowly transforming into surprise. “It’s… not terrible, Bart,” she said, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. “You might actually be onto something here.” In that moment, Bart’s confidence soared. “Let’s put it on YouTube!” he exclaimed. Together, they hatched a plan. Lisa would help him record a video, and they would do a full-fledged production featuring the history, the soldiers, and a ton of cool visuals. Over the next few days, they worked tirelessly—Lisa coordinating scenes, gathering props from the house while Bart tightened the lyrics and practiced his performance. They even roped in Milhouse to film them, promising him exclusive access to any viral fame they managed to conjure. With a final flourish, Bart recorded the song with a gentle strum, harmonizing with himself, wrapping the lyrics around a catchy melody. “Here’s to the courage that will never wane, sing it loud for the 20th Maine!” When the recording was done, Bart and Lisa sat back, exhilarated. For Bart, the song was now a testament to the brave soldiers who had fought with valor, and he felt proud to share that resilience with the world, all through the lens of his favorite music. And so, the iconic “20th Maine Blues” found its way to the airwaves of Springfield, transforming Bart from just another troublemaker to a local hero in his own right, proving that even the smallest voices could sing the loudest when they sang for something real.