Fair Folk Podcast

May Day, or Beltane in Scottish Gaelic, is a joyous occasion to welcome new growth and fertility in the fields, the hills and home. With its all-night bonfires, green branches, towering may poles and delicate flowers, this might be the most tactile and sensual holiday of the entire year. And it's just bursting with song. Check out my 2020 May Almanac episode and others: https://www.patreon.com/posts/generous-wood-36480866 Instagram: danica.boyce https://www.instagram.com/danica.boyce Youtube channel: Fair Folk https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw5BgVgYLuRWmEs66AHx38A/featured Music: Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Hal-An-Tow" by the Watersons "Arise, Arise" by Robert White "Jack in the Green" by Martin and Shan Graebe "Maypole Dance" by Richard Myhill "Searching For Lambs"(feat. Graham Coxon) by Lisa Knapp "As I Walked Through the Meadows" by Magpie Lane "As I Roved Out" by The Voice Squad "Bedfordshire May Carol" by Jack Sharp "In the Merry Month of May" by Patricia Spero "The May Morning Dew" by John Lyons "Padstow Hobby Horse" on English Customs and Traditions (album) "Padstow" by Steeleye Span "May Song" by Beggars Velvet

This episode traces the age-old European origins of many of the Winter Solstice traditions we enjoy today, from mother goddess worship through stories of the wizard child Jesus, to Christmas fortune telling with bones. Support Fair Folk: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast PayPal.me/DanicaBoyce Music: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” by the Ballycastle Players “Miri it is While Sumer Ilast” by Ensemble Belladonna “O Frondens Virga” by Augsburg Early Music Ensemble “Podblyadnye Song” by byAgrafena Glinkin “Ancient Gates” by Olga Glazova “Podblyadnye Songs” by Ensemble Joy “Persephone” by Stellamara “Tec, Peleite, Zernju Zogtu” by Kitka “The Holly She Bears a Berry” by the Voice Squad “Haugebonden” by Tiriltunga “Oi Linksta Suolaliai” by Keisto Folkloro Grupė” “Et Lite Barn Så Lystelig” by Julestemmer “The Bitter Withy” by the Valley Folk “Cherry Tree Carol” by Shirley Collins “Mari Lwyd (The Grey Mare)” by Carreg Lafar “Ecco donne la befana / Ninna nanna ninna oh (Filastrocche e canto natalizio Bologna)” by Stefano Zuffi & Pneumatica Emiliano Romagnola “Fum, Fum, Fum” by Winter Harp Ensemble “Frau Holle, Frau Holle, die Schüttelt ihre Betten aus” by Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden & Blockflötengruppe Bautzen “Bring Us In Good Ale” by Maddy Prior & Tim Hart

In this episode I speak with Vicki Noble, co-creator of the Motherpeace Tarot Deck, a set of cards for divination that incorporates images of the sacred feminine from mythology and folklore. The creation of the Motherpeace Tarot in the late 1970s in Berkley California helped to kickstart the so-called Goddess movement, whose influence endures today. Links: Fair Folk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast Paypal: paypal.me/DanicaBoyce Michael Levy, ancient lyre: https://www.ancientlyre.com/ Music: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods “Demeter’s Song” by Starhawk & Reclaiming “The Temple of Venus (Original Composition for Replica Lyre in the Ancient Hypolydian Mode)” by Michael Levy "Hurrian Hymn No. 6 (c.1400BCE) Ancient Mesopotamian Musical Fragment” by Michael Levy

This episode is a recording of Žemyna Trinkūnaitė playing a Kanklės, a traditional Lithuanian instrument, in a concert for a small group of people in a Baltic pagan temple in Lithuania. For more recordings, contact Žemyna Trinkūnaitė by email at [email protected] To support Fair Folk: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast paypal.me/DanicaBoyce

A brief update about Fair Folk's summer and fall plans from northern Iceland, plus a spontaneous summer playlist to enjoy on the road or at home. To contribute to the Fair Folk travel fund: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast paypal.me/DanicaBoyce Music: Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Langspils - Kvæðalag" by Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson "Lenten is Come" by Briddes Roune "Aililiu Na Gamhna (Calling Home The Calves)" by Iarla O' Lionáird "The Band of Shearers" by Carla Sciaky "Två Konungabarn" by Myrkur "A Maid in Bedlam" by the John Renbourn Group "Hares on the Mountain" by Shirley Collins and Davey Graham "Nay, Ivy, Nay" by Sue Brown and Lorraine Irwing "Herding the Calves" by Noirin Ni Riain "Heiemo og Nykkjen" by Kirsten Bråten Berg "Hollin Green Hollin / Thomas The Rhymer / Young Benjie / Tam Lin" by Gordon Mooney "Rideboll" by Hallvard T. Bjørgum "Alex'Julpolska" by Daniel Peterson "Death and the Lady" by John Fleagle

This episode explores some of the better and lesser known celebrations and songs of the midsummer solstice in Europe. In the process it addresses some of the perennial questions of this holiday, like: What is a maypole? Why are all of those Russians bathing together? And how can I find buried treasure when all I’m wearing is this garland of mugwort? And what’s all this about human sacrifice? Music: Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Sumer Is Icumen In" by Shelley Phillips "Helan går" by Polyteknikkojen Kuoro "The Fiddle: Kvitbergjen, springleik" by Petters Erik Eriksson, Hans Brimi, Mauno Jarvela & Levy Wilsen "I denna ljuva sommartid" by Frifot "Set Dance: King of the Fairies" by Tom McHaile "Oro Mo Bhaidin" by In Harmony's Way "Tansys Golowan (Midsummer Bonfire)" by Dalla "Sumer Is Icumen In" by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels "Ivan Na Rada (Ivan spoke to Rada)" by Donka Paneva and Mitka Petkova from Malomir Village, Yambol District "Ligojati, Ligojati" by Skandinieki "Midsummer Song" by Stalti Family "Kupala" by Tim Rayborn "Porushka" by Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble "Summer Solstice/Kupala Na Ivana" by Zeellia "Fern Flower" by Nutopia "Celies, Brālīti" by Skandinieki Image: Ivan Sokolov, Night of Ivan Kupala Some articles I used for this episode: Leslie Ellen Jones, “Hi, My Name’s Fox”?: An Alternative Explication of “Lindow Man’s” Fox Fur Armband and Its Relevance to the Question of Human Sacrifice among the Celts” http://celtic.cmrs.ucla.edu/22papers/jones.pdf Sandra Billington, “The Midsummer Solstice As It Was, Or Was Not, Observed in Pagan Germany, Scandinavia and Anglo-Saxon England” http://anthreligion.commons.uaa.alaska.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/67/2015/10/Midsummer-solstice.pdf

The second in a series on traditional polyphonic singing, this episode visits the hunter-gatherer pygmies of the African rainforest, the peasants of pre-Christian Russia, and the possible residents of outer space, via one very special song from Georgia. It also features an interview with Georgian ethnomusicologist Joseph Jordania, organizer of the International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony in Tbilisi, Georgia, and author of several books on polyphony and early human evolution, including the award winning Who Asked the First Question: Origins of Vocal Polyphony, Human Intelligence, Language and Speech. Fair Folk listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/R8QZJT5 Music Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods “Central African Pygmy Polyphony” from Simha Arom and Rounder “Bobangi” by Aka Pygmies (from Aka Pygmy Music - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways) “Nzombi [I]” by Aka Pygmies (from Aka Pygmy Music - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways) “Mongombi” by Aka Pygmies (from Aka Pygmy Music - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways) “Mo-nzombe” by Pygmees Mbenzele “U vorot, vorot solovey poet” (“There is a nightingale singing at the door”)by the Ensemble of village Krasnyi Zilim “Strela (The Arrow)” by Belyj Svet and Vyselki “Love Is Gone (feat. The Gypsy Orchestra of the Cabarets Russes de Paris & Gyula Kokas)” by Micha Thomas & Serge Nicolaieff “Typu (Stepan)” by The Women's Vocal Folklore Ensemble of Chindyanovo “Oak Forest” by Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble “Chakrulo” by Rustavi Folk Choir “Song for "Thinking: Piere” - Gbaya men (Central African Republic - UNESCO Collection from Smithsonian Folkways) “Zinskaro” by Vokal Ansambl Gordela “Hawsa” by Marewrew “Group of Nurstani singers, accompanied by harp (watj) and drum (jamba)” recorded on Sept. 10, 1968, Vienna Phonogram Archive “Dikoboda Sombe” by Aka Pygmy Singers You can find Joseph Jordania’s books and projects at http://josephjordania.com The International Research Center for Traditional Polyphony: http://polyphony.ge/en/home-2/ Learn more about Ekaterina Rets and her band Belyj Svet here: https://www.art-laguna.com/ Survival International advocates for Central African Pygmies: https://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/pygmies

The first in a series on vocal polyphony, this episode gives credit to the ancient origins of vocal polyphony in rural community practices, looking specifically at the polyphony of Lithuania, whose sutartinės are a symbol of the nation's strong pre-christian folk heritage. Music: "Georgia: Vocal" by Greek Orthodox Church Choir "Vay, More" (Oh, the Sea) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga Chant dedicated to St. Boniface, patron saint of Germany, 10th century by Quintin Beer and John Clapham "Responsory: Favus Distillans" by Anonymous 4 "Äs Zäuerli" by Öse Schuppel Latvian Song recorded by Andres Jurian in 1895 by Ensemble Sausejas "Kaval Sviri (The Flute Plays)" by Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir "Porazh Veles" (Porazh Village) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga "Trep Trepo, Martela" by Trys Keturiose "Kas Tar Taka" by Obelija "Kā Palinkai, Berželi?" (Recorded 1939) "Ka Palinkai, Berželi" by Jievaras "Daudas" by Kūlgrinda "Vakarinė Žvaigždelė" by Kūlgrinda "Responsory: Favus distillans" by Anonymous 4 This episode relied heavily on books and articles by Joseph Jordania and Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė. Special thanks to Eglė Česnakavičiūtė of the band Obelija for assisting research, translating and explaining sutartinės for me. Image: An elderly group of sutartinės singers from the village of Smilgiai dancing, by Balys Biračas, 1936. Found in Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė's "The Archaic Lithuanian Polyphonic Chant Sutartinė." Lituanus 52, 2006.

This episode I chat with Jonny Dillon, an archivist at the Irish National Folklore Collection at University College Dublin. We discuss the history of the Folklore Collection, his podcast, Blúiríní Béaloidis / Folklore Fragments, and the deep need for folk tradition in modern life. The Irish National Folklore Collection is one of the largest folklore collections in Europe, and has just this month been ascribed to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Blúiríní Béaloidis / Folklore Fragments Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/folklore_podcast The National Folklore Collection: https://www.ucd.ie/irishfolklore/en/ Music: Intro: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Amhráin na Trá Báine" by Fiachra O'Regan "Aisling Gheal" by Fiachra O'Regan "An Leanbh Sí" by Fiachra O'Regan Image: An Irish family outside thatched cottage: Eason Photographic Collection, National Library of Ireland

Traditional herding calls from Sweden and Norway, with an interview with Swedish folk musician and kulning instructor Siri Holm. Music: Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods “Kulning” by Adolf Fredriks Kyrkas Kammarkör & Karin Backstrom “Kulning” Maria Hulthén Birkeland “Kulning” by Susanne Rosenberg “Farlock (Sheep Calls) - Getlock (Goat Calls) - Kalvlock (Calf Calls)” by Karin Edvardsson Johansson “Kulning” by Nygards Elisabet Nordkvist “Lockrop” by Karin Edvardsson Johansson “Koukning, get - och farlock (Goat and Sheep Calls)” by Erika Johansson “Kulokk” by Eli Storbekken “Kulokk” (Grieg) by Reidun Horvei “Hornlat fran Rattvik och Ore (Herding Call from Rattvik and Ore)” by Pelle Jakobsson “Vallat efter Frisell, Mockfjard” by Pelle Jakobsson “Lurlat fran evertsberg efter Tommos Kersti” by Pelle Jakobsson (interview begins) “Puksanger - Lockrop” by Lena Willemark, Susanne Rosenberg & Helena Gabrielsson “Kolock (Cow Call)” by Lena Willemark (interview ends) “Komarschlåten” by Ulrika Bodén Mastered by Ross Waldron Error: at 16:57, I say a herding signal from Mockjard, when I meant to say a herding signal from Mockfjard More information on kulning and other herding call traditions: -If you want to learn kulning and you cannot find a workshop, there is a book and CD set of lessons for sale at www.uddatoner.com -A kulokk instruction manual can be found here: https://www.ingebretsens.com/sing-til-cows-come-home-w-cd.html -A fun old Finnish herding call documentary film: https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2010/08/13/karjan-kutsumahuudot -A great article on the technical aspects of kulning by Susanna Rosenberg: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23268263.2013.829712?needAccess=true

Malevolent or helpful, pinched and small, or beautiful beyond description, elves are a mainstay of western folk belief. Today we’re exploring the many manifestations of elf belief, delving into the folklore of the British Isles and Scandinavia, the two regions where elves have been most robustly represented. This episode features an interview with Terry Gunnell, professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland, and expert on the history - and present - of elf belief in Iceland. Music: Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Ólavur Riddararós" by Valravn "The Pilgrim's Prayer" by Oliver Schroer "The Elfin Knight" by Mary O'Hara "Trivium" by Arvo Pärt "Liti Kjersti og Elvekongen" by Kirsten Bråten Berg "Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72 II. Lamento Lento Rubato" by Denise Djokic "True Thomas" by Christina Stewart "The Passing of the Elves" by Howard Shore "Queen of Elfan's Nourice" by Rachel Newton Interview: "Hollin Green Hollin / Thomas the Rhymer / Young Benjie / Tam Lin" by Gordon Mooney "Metamorphosis" by Sylvia Woods "A Fairy's Love Song" by Celtic Harp Soundscapes "Ólafur Liljurós" by Icelandic Folk Music "Starálfur" by Sigur Rós - End Interview "Tam Lin" by Fairport Convention Image: "A Fairy and a Knight" by Richard Doyle

This episode is dedicated to the many wonderful tales shared in ballad form in Scandinavian countries. You'll learn that not all stories have happy endings (most don't), which part of the dragon you need to eat in order to gain the gift of prophecy (the heart), and how Groundhog Day is really a holiday about a Scottish hag's woodpile (she's called the Cailleach). Music: Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Herr Peders Sjöresa" by Hilma Ingberg "Kall Og Svein Ung by Sláið Ring" (Faroese ballad dancing) "Alex'Julpolska" by Daniel Peterson "Sigurdskvadet" by Strengleikr and Renessanse Consort "Drömde mig en Dröm" by Thomas von Wachenfeldt and Leo Flavum "Röcklavisan" by Sågskära "Kallt Väder" by Triakel "Rolandskvadet" by Jessica Comeau "Silibrand" by Marianne Maans "Maria Magdalena" by Hulling "Ebbe Skammelson" by Carin Kjellman & Ulf Gruvberg "Abrege - Folk Suite for Nyckelharpa and String Orchestra: Till Farmor" by Emilia Amper & Trondheimsolistene, Geir Inge Lotsberg, TrondheimSolistene, The Trondheim Soloists, Øyvind Gimse & Emilia Amper "Bendik og Årolilja" by Bukkene Bruse "Heiemo Og Nykkjen" by Ale Møller & Kirsten Bråten Berg "Hansin Koira" by Eeva-Leena Sariola, Martti Pokela & Matti Kontio "Varulven" by Elias Akselsen & Hulda Johansen "Villemann Og Magnhild" by Kalenda Maya Ian Cumpstey's site about Scandinavian ballads: http://balladspot.blogspot.com/ Image (of Faroese dancers) from TUTL Économusée: http://tutleconomusee.com/

Elves, epic poetry, sheep milk and murder... welcome to the world of Icelandic folk music! This episode features an interview with Bára Grímsdóttir and Chris Foster, two of the most accomplished performers of Icelandic folk music, and experts on rímur chanting, a form dating from middle ages, with its ancestry in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas. Music: Opening theme: Forest March by Sylvia Woods Heyr Himna Smiður by Anneke van Giersbergen & Árstíðir Icelandic Folk Songs: I. Iceland, Land of Prosperity by Duo Landon Icelandic Folk Songs: VIII. The Virgin by Duo Landon Nafnaþula by Sólveig Indriðadóttir Haustið Nálgast by Steindór Andersen & Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson Interview: Vorvísur by Steindor Andersen Kveðið Við Spuna by Funi (Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster) Göngu-Hrólfsrímur by Helgi Einarsson Ríma Afhent by Bára Grímsdóttir Stóð ég við Öxará by Eddukórinn Gott Ár Oss Gefi (Give us a Good Year) by Funi (Bára Grímsdóttir & Chris Foster) --interview end Krummavísur by Þrjú á Palli Íslandsklukkur by Íslandsklukkur Móðir Mín Í Kví Kví by Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir Olafur Liljuros by Ö Barna Stóðum tvö í túni by Ryan Koons Þat Mælti Mín Móðir by Feðranna Frægð Mitt var starfid by Bára Grímsdóttir For more about Funi: http://www.funi-iceland.com/ https://funi.bandcamp.com/ and the Kvæðamannafélagið Iðunn(Idunn society): http://rimur.is/ https://www.facebook.com/rimur.is/

This episode features some of the more ancient and obscure midwinter traditions that have endured alongside Christmas, as well as some lesser-known carols of this festival, many of which are pagan in origin. Content warning for animal sacrifice and general heathen revelry. Music: Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Christmas Is Now Drawing Near at Hand" by Norma Waterson "Bonny At Morn / Hunting the Cutty Wren" by Clive Williams & Mark Prescott "Nou Is Yole Comen" by Shira Kammen "The Boar's Head Carol" by The Young Tradition, Shirley Collins & Dolly Collins "Wexford Mummer's Song" by Mary O'Hara "Gloomy Winter" by Bonnie Rideout "The Cutty Wren" by Royston Wood & Heather Wood "Dryw Bach" by Carreg Lafar "Hela'r Dryw" by Fernhill "The Hern" by John Fleagle "Down in Yon Forest" by Shirley Collins "Apple Tree Wassail" by Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews "Malpas Wassail" by the Watersons "Gower Wassail" by Kerfuffle "Green Grow'th the Holly" by Coope, Simpson, Fraser & Freya "Nay Ivy Nay" by Sue Brown & Lorraine Irwing "The Ditchling Carol" by Waterson : Carthy

This episode, you’ll learn why the Swedish will be wearing candles on their heads and dressing up as goats this week, you’ll hear about Saint Nicholas’ past life beating and kidnapping children with his demon slave companion, and you’ll meet St. Stephen, the first man to be stoned to death for bringing a rooster back to life. Music: Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods Staffansvisa Från Jämtland by Triakel Karolinermarsch by Peter Hedlund Staffan Var en Stalledräng by Folk & Rackare Vittskövlevisan by Esbjörn Hazelius Ut Kommer Staffan by Folk & Rackare Rudisar Vísa by Kari Sverrisson Saint Stephen by Magpie Lane The Carnal and the Crane/King Herod and the Cock/The Miraculous Harvest by Nowell Sing We Clear St. Nicholas by Anúna La Légende de Saint Nicolas by Anne Sylvester The Last Stand by Michael Sobel Tackvisan by Triakel Coventry Carol by Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band

***CORRECTION*** In this episode I talk about Sami joik, and then play a Karelian joik, which I have been informed is not related at all. This episode of Fair Folk delves into the rich musical and mythical world of Finland, blisses out on rune-song, and investigates the science behind the smell of snow. Music: Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "Valolle" by Lau Nau "Valkealan Valssi" by Martti Pokela, Matti Heikki Kontio, and Eeva-Leena Sariola "Armoton" by Suden Aika "Kaipaava" by Rajaton "Tappelupolkka" by Martti Pokela, Matti Heikki Kontio, and Eeva-Leena Sariola "Soittelen Soutusalmen Suorimaista" by Karoliina Kantelinen "Saimaan Rannalla" by Joose Keskitalo ja Kolmas Maailmanpalo "Yksi, Kaksi, Kolme, Neljä" by Merja Soria "Peltoniemen Hintrekin Surumarssi" by Martti Pokela, Matti Heikki Kontio, and Eeva-Leena Sariola "Raudan Synty" by Veera Voima "Velisurmaaja" by Akkajee "Departing Song" by Anna Kivisoo & Ryhma Chorus "Juokse Sinä Humma" by Lau Nau Image: Skiing Lapp with the Northern Lights(1885) by Frants Diderik Bøe

This episode of Fair Folk you’ll hear about how an early modern Scottish king literally wrote the book on witchcraft, making Harry Potter possible for future generations, I’ll tell you about the Swedish Queen who is revered to this day for murdering her suitors, and you’ll hear some of the very best folk songs about witches. Music: Opening Theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods "I Once Lived in Service" by The Witches of Elswick "La Harpe et l'Enfant" by Alan Stivell "Willie's Lady" by Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer "Martinmas Time" by Andy Irvine and Paul Brady "The Witch of the Westmoreland" by Stan Rogers "Mammy Redd" by John Allison "The Death of Goody Nurse" by John Allison "The Broomfield Hill" by Malinky "Alison Gross" by Dave & Toni Arthur "Come, Witches, to the Dance" by Lady Isadora with Lord Pan "Witches Reel" by Green Crown "The Brown Girl" by Frankie Armstrong

On this episode, you'll find out just how many landscape features can be attributed to the petty hostilities of overgrown men, you'll hear about that one time Stan Rogers dabbled in druidism, and you'll learn what Fe Fi Fo Fum actually means. Music: Intro theme: Sylvia Woods - Forest March "The Sun" by Warsaw Village Band "Jotunheimr" by Adrian Von Ziegler "Giant" by Stan Rogers "The Legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill " by Nick Mason "Herr Mannelig" by Garmarna "Paul Bunyan" by Gene Bluestein "Ballad of John Henry" by Doc Watson "You Can't Save Everything" by Magnolia Electric Co. "The Giant of Illinois" by Andrew Bird "Early One Morning (Friendly Giant Theme) by Bob Homme & John Duncan