Happy Halloween!
A hey ho and me bonny o
I’m back from the Historical Romance Retreat with many happy memories, new acquaintances, and a bad case of what’s known as “conference crud.” (A bad cold.)
With HRR being so close to Halloween, author Pamela Sherwood introduced us to some traditional haunting ballads. I’m sharing one with you to add to your play list.
The Bonny Swans
A farmer there lived in the north country
A hey ho and me bonny o
And he had daughters one, two, three
The swans swim so bonny o
A Cruel Sister
The Bonny Swans, or The Cruel Sister, or the Twa Sisters (apparently there are many versions) is a traditional murder ballad. One sister pushes the other into the water and refuses to save her. But retribution comes later in a most gruesome fashion!
Enjoy this haunting rendition of the traditional ballad performed by Loreena Mckennitt.