OLD CELTIC & NORDIC BALLADS : The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry

Trad. Scotland
Joanne McIVER : Vocals - Aliocha REGNARD : Nyckelharpa - Jean-Luc LENOIR : Guitar, CelticHarp, Kravik Lyre, Dulcimer, Arrangement
Video : J.L. LENOIR, made during the 2020 lockdown

[@thegreatselkie6009]

Transforms me to the place where my ancestors live…

[@jamiecorrigan3241]

TIMELESS

[@whalesong8040]

I have cherished this gorgeous ballad my entire life, and this is by far the most gorgeous version I've ever heard! Utterly haunting and enchanting! Thank you so very much!! What an incredible discovery this morning!

[@DianeYoung-xu2wy]

My grandfather who was born in Alabama in the 1880s said that his grandmother said this song.

[@johnrichard8235]

It spread far. My grandmother sang myself, brothers and cousins a version of this in Maritime Canadian French some 60 or so years ago. She always reminded us there were no seals in our family.

[@HenryAusLuebeck]

wunderschön. Danke dafür.

[@lorenzogulino6158]

I love these sounds, love the album and even Arthur Rackham's cover

[@TenhoPartanen]

I found this greate song in TV seris Anika. Finnish: Todella hieno esitys ja tarinahan on kuin Kalevalan parhaasta päästä.

[@mymoonams]

Yes, me too ❤

[@Armachillo]

Ha! Same here! I came across it just now, the tv is on pause with Annika telling about this beautiful song. Glad she told what it's about because I hardly understand a word of it! But the instruments! The voice! Hauntingly beautiful!

[@philstevens9914]

Without doubt the best version of this piece of music. It just carry's you away to a distant place where your mind is clear and takes it in.

[@billbrovold]

Makes me wish I was back in Orkney looking out past the island of Birsay towards Sule Skerry. Beautiful version.

[@johnrichard8235]

My grandmother (we were Maritime Canada French) would tell us stories about the Silkies. She was always very clear - we had no seals in our family. That would have been some sixty years ago. This is a great version of the song.

[@leechumbley5440]

Beautifully played and sung. Thank you.

[@alfredogutierrez9580]

A sad and beautiful song. One of the best versions of Silkie...

[@mariabelenpereira6357]

Finally found this gem of a version! Regards from Argentina!

[@Pyshta69]

Greetings from Slovakia

[@jonmarston4166]

❤

[@CelticMedievalGuitar]

AMAZING MUSIC GREETINGS FROM CELTIC ITALY

[@markhoman6567]

A great rendition. One of the best. Thank you.

[@christinebordes9991]

It’s a very nice ballad and a beautiful video. Black and white I love. Thank you! :)

[@autumnanderson2695]

Thank yoooooooouuuuuu for helping me!

[@Irishharper]

Fabulous just fabulous... Joanne McIver's vocals are just beautiful. Thank you for this

[@odysodys1098]

Hauntingly beautiful. Lilting clear voice.

[@citipol]

Soothing. Tha.

[@ElfMaidWithInternet]

Incredible

[@autumnanderson2695]

I'm so glad you posted this for me I'm just sad I couldn't find it while I was at the beach. Don't worry I social distanced.

[@magnovinicius9020]

From Brazil❤

[@joseluisfigueroabaez852]

Que hermoso me recordo a loreena mckennitt♥♥🌖🌞🌔

[@alfiebear2647]

20062020 sat. Covid - times. Flawless + Priceless = Perpetual.

[@MerleBardenoir]

Merci pour cette jolie ballade maritime !

[@andreaosvald4293]

On n’arrête plus Jean-Luc 💩 c’est *parfait*, bravo à tous les trois 🌊🌊🌊

[@franceallart1385]

Superbe!

[@lydiecarcasses9536]

Beautiful !

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

flawless

[@aclaibor]

I think my father was a silkie.

[@akshayumbare9738]

Did you guys compose this over distance? It's amazing :D as usual!

[@소라20]

💛💛💛💛

[@ctbaw9484]

This and Barbra Allen

[@emmabelle8181]

No dislikes? Good

[@AntiFaGoat]

Why would anyone dislike this?

[@guigs573]

Monsieur Lenoir, J'ai acheté votre cd il y a quelques temps et j'aimerais moi aussi jouer de ces beaux airs pour ma famille. Existe-t-il des partitions pour ces chants ou les avez-vous créées vous même ?

[@alysononoahu8702]

Chords for guitar

[@MrDjihel]

I can send you the tablature. Give me your email or FB

[@sandramorey2529]

Lovely. This tune is a modern one with Silkie words added. The original words are about a little girl in war torn Vietnam. I think it was written by Pete Seeger to this melody. The song here is a Francis James Child ballad and the tune is found in many nuanced variations. My favorite is sung by Cynthia Gooding. Look it up and be amazed at this great singer.

[@vratyadeleon1928]

Thank You ! In return i recommend you the version of "The Unthanks"

[@billbrovold]

This is a very old traditional song from Orkney (and Shetland) that goes back at least to the mid 1800s. I would guess Pete heard it and put it a more modern context.

[@stephenpmurphy591]

Pete Seeger took credit for many songs he did not write or compose the music.

[@sandramorey2529]

@@billbrovold Archie Fisher sings the tune that may be the original. Pete's is a modern song-not about a child of Vietnam, but of Hiroshima. Came out of WW2. This is a popular tune many folk/pop artists have used for Great Silkie.

[@telemachus53]

Does anyone know or have the original tune to the Great Silke? This version, by Jim Waters is great but I haven't found the original.

[@1earflapping]

This is a Childe ballad. Look in a collection called The Childe Ballads. Try a library or music store that cares about folk music.

[@GudmannBragi]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpLFm4KMi9tspas perhaps, not that I have direct knowledge.

[@davidevans6528]

In this era of divisive propaganda it is refreshing to hear this beautiful expression of culture. it's more than ok to be white. European culture is to be cherished.

[@MrDjihel]

World culture is to be cherished ! Black, white, yellow or red !!!

[@zoebaggins90]

Thank you, David. It's great to be White.