Of Song and Bone

In this episode, Fern shares the audio from a recent Halloween concert she put together. It includes live performances of four traditional ballads, "Long Lankin," "Lady Gay," "Sweet William's Ghost," and "Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight." In between performances, Fern discusses her own relationship to the songs and explores themes of vengeful laborers, intimacy across the veil, and the unquiet dead. To find the lyric sheet to the version of the songs Fern performs, go to ofsongandbone.wordpress.com

In the second episode "Of Song and Bone," we explore ballads about sirens, mermaids, and other seemingly sinister water spirits. What lessons do these ballads offer about the sacred ecology of water, the liminality of sea travel, and the power and anger of women’s voices? Features a recording of "The Maid on the Shore" by the John Renbourne Group. "Of Song and Bone" is a podcast by Fern Maddie exploring ancestral arts and people's history through song, story, and poetry. Learn more at: ofsongandbone.wordpress.com Learn more at: ofsongandbone.wordpress.com

Welcome to the first episode "Of Song and Bone," a podcast exploring ancestral arts and people's history through song, story, and poetry. In this episode, we explore the old Scottish Ballad "The Elfin Knight" and its relationship to other folkloric and mythic stories from Northwest Europe. Let's dive into tales of clever lasses, riddle-weaving giants, and otherworldly heroes. Features the old recording of "The Elfin Knight" by Ewan Maccoll. Learn more at: ofsongandbone.wordpress.com