Once upon a time I worked the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. I used to put my bowl down on the street, take my drum off my back, and do covers of Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, and other folk standards. What hit the bowl paid my expenses and enabled me to buy more records, and learn more songs. After a while, I began writing some. Because the old ballads are wonderful, but there are lots of stories that weren’t being told, and I wanted to tell them.
Everyone knows who Cuchullain is, after all, but who remembers Scathach? Or Macha, who ensured that he was the only warrior able to fight when Medb came a-raiding? Time marched on, the Black Point site was sold, and I moved on.
But the music wouldn’t let me go. The songs want out, and lately I’ve been letting them have their way with me. Technology has marched on as well, and now things are possible that were only dreams when I sang in those dusty streets. I don’t know where this road leads, but I know my feet are firmly on it.
You’re welcome to come along for the trip. Here’s hoping you like what you hear. Thanks for listening.
Similarly not only the well known myths drew me to the Bardic Tradition but those little known or unsung. I wish you every success.
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Thank you. I look forward to exploring your blog too, it looks like there’s a lot more there than can be taken in in one visit.
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Having lived from selling flowers while my husband played I recognise something of this. I know one or two of the folk from the Renaissance Faires too. It is true that the world is mall when you perceive no borders.
Light of Kildare is lovely. My writing partner and I work with a lot of the old tales in our books.
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Thank you! I was led to Crucible of the Sun through your blog, which I found through the posting of another of our old Faire Folk. And am waiting impatiently for it to get here! Strange the strands that bind us together.
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