Blade… Singer?

[TBeholder]

So, basically, what is a Bladesinger?
How he/she is different from similar gish-options?
Why they are called Bladesingers?

- Originally? Elven fencer / battle spellcaster. Note that there's Bladesong style (one-handed sword, no shield), which is not exactly run-of-the-mill, but not too rare among the Elves, and then there are Bladesingers, dedicated specialists who go beyond it - which is rare.
- In that it's Elven tradition. Sponsored by their war-god, at that. And since something like this is available, the Elves, of course, would never stoop to trying something less speshul. Nor would teach bladesong to lesser creatures - not that many others want to spend a century or so on this anyway.
- Because Elven Means Different!

Bladesong is so named for several reasons. The first and most obvious is because of the whistling of the blade as it slices through the air when this style of fighting is used. The second is for the haunting, wordless tune many of its practitioners sing as they fight.

Translation to Human: because this style is all rhythmical (which may help with magic) and dancy, and as such can and does meld into their non-martial arts.

Does anyone know about his 2e version? Or other versions?

Originally (The Complete Book of Elves) - Elven knight-errant-paladin equivalent; art is learned master-to-apprentice only. Mechanically? Automatic weapon specialization. Bonus cancelling the penalties for unusual maneuvers (+ 1 / 4 levels). Defence bonus (level/2+1). Can cast in combat (+2 to casting time).

Bladesinger class appeared in Tome and Blood (3.0), Races of Faerun (3.0) and Complete Warrior (3.5).

The Moldvay Basic Elf Ad&d2e "setting-i-fied" in the high fantasy aesthetic of the Star Wars Jedi.

In that both are spellcaster / fencer / knight errand prone to being sue-fied. Not sure if it goes beyond that.