Posted on

Radio Show – Episode 42 – The Bear – January 19 and 26, 2020

In Episode 42 we venture into the winter landscape with music, a tale, and more inspired by the mystery and magic of the Bear in Celtic folklore. Enjoy Celtic tunes, songs, and poetry plus some music from other genres, and plenty of enchantment.  I’m pleased to tell a story inspired by Debra Knodel’s song, “Binwag’s Lullaby” – a favorite among our fans — and will air that music too. The story also includes a snippet in the story of Deb’s newest bear magic piece, “Tundra Lullaby.”

Enjoy harp in the music of the Casey Sisters,  OMNIA,  as well as in the story and song following, and a bardic poem composed and spoken by Kevan Manwaring.

Our second hour is a re-airing of Episode 21, “New.”

Listen to both shows here.

Hear this show on demand for two weeks.

12:02: Paul Machlis – Early Morn
12:06: Kevin Burke – The Cottage Groves / Maudabawn Chapel / The Beare Island Reel
12:11: Laura Risk – Sunday River
12:16: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas – Miss Laura Risk
12:20: Courteous Thief – Mountains and Sea
12:26: Kevan Manwaring – Tallyesin – The Song of Taliesin
12:29: The Casey Sisters – The Bandonbridge Suite: b
12:32: Jane Valencia – Bear Lore
12:34: Beginish – Beginish
12:38: OMNIA – Grone Lunden
12:43: Jane Valencia – The Bear King’s Lullaby
12:51: Spookytree – Debra Knodel and Jane Valencia – Binwag’s Lullaby
12:57: Eve Goodman and Sera – Gaeafgwsg

Posted on

Radio Show – Episode 41 – Into the Birch Grove – January 5 and 12, 2020

The enchantment of the Birch tree is about cleansing and renewal: a welcome energy for beginning a new year and decade. Episode 41 “In the Birch Grove” features favorite Irish songs and melodies, some 16th century English dance tunes, and some lovely and intriguing contemporary music. Along the way, enjoy some folklore, a bardic poem by Kevan Manwaring,  a tree magic tale of the Birch, and harp in the music of Déanta, Julia Cunningham, and Anne Roos.

Listen to Forest Halls Celtic – Episode 41 The play list is below.

The second hour is an encore of Episode 20 “New Year’s Day.” Here we touch into endings and beginnings, and open with curiosity and wonder to something new. Harp includes music by Sìleas, Margot Krimmel, and Jane Valencia.

Listen  to Forest Halls Celtic – Episode 20

Listen to these episodes via online streaming at Voice of Vashon or on Vashon Island at KVSH 101.9 fm on Sunday, January 5 and 12 at 12-2pm PST, or on demand at Voice of Vashon for the next two weeks.

12:01: Spookytree – Lochaber No More
12:02: Fairport Convention – The Rose Hip
12:06: Athena Tergis – Will You Come Down to Limerick? / The Arragh Mountains
12:09: Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola – Inis Oírr, In Inis Oírr
12:15: Lisa Hannigan – Snow
12:17: Déanta – Ready for the Storm
12:20: Cara Dillon – The Parting Glass
12:26: Fernhill – Hela’r Dryw
12:30: The New Queen’s Ha’penny Consort – Heart’s Ease
12:32: English Ayres – Ivy is Good
12:35: Jackie Oates – Nay, Ivy, Nay
12:39: Kevan Manwaring – Ogham Englyn: Birch
12:40: Julia Cunningham – The Butterfly
12:42: Anne Roos – The Virgin Forest
12:47: Jane Valencia – The Ogham Tree Alphabet
12:49: Jane Valencia –Harp & Story:  Birch Secrets
12:58: Lisa Hannigan and Stargaze – Swan

Posted on

I Have News for You – A Ninth Century Irish Poem

I have a bundle of poems, songs, stories, folklore, and tunes that I pull out when winter comes. The ninth century Irish poem that begins: “I Have News for You” is the first I bring forth.

I have news for you
The stag bells, winter snows, summer is gone.
Wind high and cold, the sun low, short its course
The sea running high.
Deep red the bracken, its shape is lost
The wild goose has raised its accustomed cry
Cold has seized the birds’ wings
Season of ice
This is my news.

— Anon.

In this video I perform the poem with my Triplett Luna bronze-wire strung harp. Look for more videos in the coming weeks in which I celebrate the coming of winter with harp, song, poetry, and maybe even a story.

What are your favorite poems, stories, songs for winter and the holiday season? Share them and any thoughts about the poem, or anything about the coming of winter in the comment box below!