Loreena McKennitt’s version of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Lady of Shalott” is my favourite so far. The story of Lady of Shalott has always been one of my favourite Arthurian myths, and I think Loreena McKennitt’s voice and style of music goes perfectly with the general feel of the story.
On either side of the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the Wold and meet the sky; And thro’ the field the road run by To many-towered Camelot; And up and down the people go, Gazing where the lilies blow Round an island there below, The Island of Shalott.
Willows whiten, aspens quiver, Little breezes dusk and shiver Thro’ the wave that runs for ever By the island in the river Flowing down to Camelot. Four grey walls, and four grey towers, Overlook a space of flowers, And the silent isle embowers The Lady of Shalott.
Only reapers, reaping early, In among the bearded barley Hear a song that echoes cheerly Down to Tower’d Camelot; And by the moon the reaper weary, Piling sheaves in uplands airy, Listening, whispers “Tis the Fairy The Lady of Shalott.”
There she weaves by night and day A magic web with colours gay. She has heard a whisper say, A curse is on her if she stay To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be, And so she weaveth steadily, And little other care hath she, The Lady of Shalott.
And moving through a mirror clear That hangs before her all the year, Shadows of the world appear. There she sees the highway near Winding down to Camelot; And sometimes thro’ the mirror blue The Knights come riding two and two. She hath no loyal knight and true, The Lady of Shalott.
But in her web she still delights To weave the mirror’s magic sights, For often thro’ the silent nights A funeral, with plumes and lights And music, went to Camelot; Or when the moon was overhead, Came two young lovers lately wed. “I am half sick of shadows,” said The Lady of Shalott.
A bow-shot from her bower-eaves, He rode between the barley sheaves, The sun came dazzling thro’ the leaves, And flamed upon the brazen greaves Of bold Sir Lancelot. A red-cross knight for ever kneel’d To a lady in his shield, That sparkled on the yellow field, Beside remote Shalott.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glow’d; On burnish’d hooves his war-horse trode; From underneath his helmet flow’d His coal-black curls as on he rode, As he rode down to Camelot. From the bank and from the river He flashed into the crystal mirror, “Tirra lirra” by the river Sang Sir Lancelot.
She left the web, she left the loom, She made three paces thro’ the room, She saw the water-lily bloom, She saw the helmet and the plume, She look’d down to Camelot. Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror crack’d from side to side; “The Curse is come upon me,” cried The Lady of Shalott.
And down the river’s dim expanse Like some bold seer in a trance, Seeing all his own mischance– With a glassy countenance did she look to Camelot. And at the closing of the day She loosed the chain, and down she lay; The broad stream bore her far away, The Lady of Shalott.
Heard a carold, mournful, holy, Chanted loudly, chanted lowly, Till her blood was frozen slowly, And her eyes were darkened wholly, Turn’d to tower’d Camelot. For ere she reach’d upon the tide The first house by the water-side, Singing in her song she died, The Lady of Shalott.
Under tower and balcony, By garden-wall and gallery, A gleaming shape she floated by, Dead-pale between the houses high, Silent into Camelot. Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burger, lord and dame, And round the prow they read her name, The Lady of Shalott.
Who is this? And what is here? And in the lighted palace near Died the sound of royal cheer; And they crossed themselves for fear, All the knights at Camelot; But Lancelot mused a little space He said, “She has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend her grace, The Lady of Shalott….
When the dark wood fell before me And all the paths were overgrown When the priests of pride say there is no other way I tilled the sorrows of stone
I did not believe because I could not see Though you came to me in the night When the dawn seemed forever lost You showed me your love in the light of the stars
Cast your eyes on the ocean Cast your soul to the sea When the dark night seems endless Please remember me
Then the mountain rose before me By the deep well of desire From the fountain of forgiveness Beyond the ice and the fire
Cast your eyes on the ocean Cast your soul to the sea When the dark night seems endless Please remember me
Though we share this humble path, alone How fragile is the heart Oh give these clay feet wings to fly To touch the face of the stars
Breathe life into this feeble heart Lift this mortal veil of fear Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears We’ll rise above these earthly cares
Cast your eyes on the ocean Cast your soul to the sea When the dark night seems endless Please remember me… Please remember me… Please remember me…
Due to the recent collection of hurricanes in my life, both the happy and the sad ones, I hadn’t even found the chance to sit down and listen to the new albums from some of my favourite musicians with any form of an actual focus. Well, today I finally did! Starting with the new album by Aleksi Eeben, called “Various Secret Continents“.
I had listened to single tracks from this album as they were being released, and was very much looking forwards to listening to the outcome as a whole. And the whole is indeed pretty awesome! I like every “Salamander” in there 😉 , but if I were to choose a favourite, it would definitely be the “Sun Salamander”. That track is just… beautiful, I love the melody! I also very much like the “Continental Salamander”, and the bonus track “The Grand Rules” is also very interesting. But again, if you’re checking out the album, which you most certainly should, make sure to listen to all the Salamanders from beginning to the end, in order to experience the full effect. =)
Also, do not forget to read the story of Salamanders here. It’s extremely neat! =) You can download the album from the same page as well. I only wish that the album was available as a CD too! Would have loved to have the story in a CD booklet. =)
I know, I’ve been quiet lately. I know you folks have been expecting to hear/read quite a bit more about how things are developing here. Well, truth is I recently lost someone of weight in my life under rather strange circumstances. As a result, I’ve fallen back a bit from all forms of online communications, while I’m trying to deal with this. But I’m still here and I do read all that you write.
This is quite difficult, I’m completely heart-broken and to all honesty it couldn’t have come at a more complicated point in my life. Nonetheless, I’ll get past it soon. I’ll survive… always do.
–
P.S.: As far as music therapy goes, I came across this track a few days ago quite accidentally on MTV DE. And I totally fell in love with the band.
Couple of days ago someone called me “Queen of exceptions”. For some reason it reminded me of this song that I’ve always loved…
Taking on water, Sailing a restless sea From a memory, A fantasy. The wind carries Into white water, Far from the islands. Don’t you know you’re Never going to get to France. Mary, Queen of Chance, will they find you? Never going to get to France. Could a new romance ever bind you? Walking on foreign ground, Like a shadow, Roaming in far off Territory. Over your shoulder, Stories unfold, you’re Searching for sanctuary. You know you’re Never going to get to France… I see a picture By the lamp’s flicker. Isn’t it strange how Dreams fade and shimmer? Never going to get to France… I see a picture By the lamp’s flicker. Isn’t it strange how Dreams fade and shimmer? Never going to get to France… Never going to get to France. Never going to… Never going to get to France. Never going to… Never going to get to France. Never going to…
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the long wait is finally over! After years and years and more years of waiting for Genox’s highly anticipated new album, it’s finally here! =D Genox’s new album called “Hourglass” has just been released on the Enough Records netlabel, and you can click here to see the album information and download it.
Seeing how I’m obviously considered pretty biased, I probably should leave you to make up your own mind about the album… but I can’t help mentioning that I think every single track of this album is totally and completely special, and has it’s own unique character.
Of course I’m going to post the album to Verse shortly. Also, make sure you check out Genox’s new Facebook page here. =)
Another Kahvi Collective release has found it’s way to my favourites. =) I came across the album “Glass Marble” by Frederik Behr last week, and I’ve been listening to it quite a lot. [Makes a nice mix with 4mat’s “Decades” somehow!] The very first track called “Alleyways” is my favourite. Check it out!
Few days ago I finally received my copy of 4mat’s new album called “Decades” from Amazon. Yes, physical copy! =)
For the past so many [I don’t even know exactly how long] years I’ve been enjoying 4mat’s music, so when I found out that for the first time he’s releasing physical copies of his album, I figured I absolutely had to have one. =) Amazon.ca doesn’t carry the CD, so as usual it was back to the .com, hence the long wait.
Decadeds Cover. And my current desktop wallpaper.
For the past few days I’ve been looping the album, sometimes on it’s own and sometimes mixed with various Kahvi releases. And I just can’t get enough of it! As the album name suggests, the compilation is such that it really gives you the feeling of listening to the essence of 4mat’s evolving music during the past decades. And as I expected, the tracks are just fabulous! So if you’re a fan of chiptunes, electronic music or generally great music, you’re sure to enjoy this.
If you haven’t already, go get yourself the album. Now. Preferably physical copy. 😉
Hey, I'm Aasemoon, and this is my blog which has been around since 1998. Childhood toy project that ended up growing up with me.
You can reach me here:
aasemoon.blue
Zorbas is my kitten. You can see some pictures of him below. =)
![4mat-Decades[3]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Tl7xVSHEwJs/THr-uNEuFRI/AAAAAAAAAXw/pP44tqfGWTo/s1600-h/4mat-Decades%5B3%5D%5B2%5D.jpg "4mat-Decades[3]")
