My dear traveller, come and sit, warm yourself by the fire. How good of you to stop by! In times like these friendliness is much needed. Is the plague wreaking havoc where you are from? I sincerely hope not! This village, where I live, is a safe place. Friendly folk, enough food and wool forContinue reading “Three Ravens”
Category Archives: Music and Poetry
Two royal children
This song “Twee Koningskinderen” about 2 children of kings goes all the way back to the Greek myth of Hero and Leander, who lived on either side of the Hellespont. Hero lit a lamp each night for Leander so that he could swim across the waters to meet his beloved Hero. One night, a stormContinue reading “Two royal children”
Entre le boeuf et l’âne gris
Yes, I know it is July! And yet, I am sharing a Christmas song with you! But why? Have a seat, I will tell you. Entre le boeuf et l’ane gris is one of the oldest songs in Europe, still sung today and it just happens to be a Christmas song. The title translates into:Continue reading “Entre le boeuf et l’âne gris”
Be Thou My Vision
Today, dearest traveller, I would like you to come sit by the fire because I have to tell you about this famous song, that you no doubt know. But do you know its history? The text of “Be Thou My Vision”/”Rop tú mo Baile” reflects aspects of life in Early Christian Ireland (400-800CE). The originalContinue reading “Be Thou My Vision”
A ballad!
Hello Traveller, today I am going to be sharing with you a very old song from my region. It is called “The Ballad of Lord Halewijn” and it dates from the 1300s. Several versions of the story of Halewijn exist. In all of them, Lord Halewijn (Halewyn) is either an evil man, a magician, aContinue reading “A ballad!”
