Fair Folk Podcast

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