Hi folks, James here; I did this one just because I'd mentioned the banshee a few times in previous videos. In the Morag video some earlier versions of that legends are very similar and probably came over from Ireland to the west coast of Scotland. I also mentioned them in the Jack O' Lantern. Keening, the wailing and poetry that probably inspired the legends, largely died out in Ireland in the 1950s on account of the pressure from the church. But it is something people have done for thousands of years from the Gaelic shores of Ireland and Scotland to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The full keen recorded in the 19th century is as follows: Maidens, sing no more in gladness To your merry spinning-wheels; Join the keener’s voice of sadness- Feel for what a mother feels! See the space within my dwelling, ‘Tis the cold, blank space of death; ‘Twas the Banshee’s voice came swelling, Slowly o’er the midnight heath. Keeners, let your song not falter- He was as the hawthorn fair.- Lowly at the Virgin’s altar Will his mother kneel in prayer. Prayer is good to calm the spirit, When the keen is sweetly sung.- Death, though mortal flesh inherit, Why should age lament the young?- ‘Twas the Banshee’s lonely wailing:- Well I knew the voice of death On the night-wind slowly sailing O’er the bleak and gloomy heath. If you want to hear the more recent account of the banshee you can watch the interview here: th-cam.com/video/LlljeMom8qg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9cKXKzOq41Aw1kLo
ah great, thanks appreciate it. And a great band, I actually met them once when I was a kid as they were being supported by altered images and my dad was friendly with their parents.
Hi folks, James here; I did this one just because I'd mentioned the banshee a few times in previous videos. In the Morag video some earlier versions of that legends are very similar and probably came over from Ireland to the west coast of Scotland. I also mentioned them in the Jack O' Lantern. Keening, the wailing and poetry that probably inspired the legends, largely died out in Ireland in the 1950s on account of the pressure from the church. But it is something people have done for thousands of years from the Gaelic shores of Ireland and Scotland to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The full keen recorded in the 19th century is as follows:
Maidens, sing no more in gladness
To your merry spinning-wheels;
Join the keener’s voice of sadness-
Feel for what a mother feels!
See the space within my dwelling, ‘Tis the cold, blank space of death; ‘Twas the Banshee’s voice came swelling, Slowly o’er the midnight heath.
Keeners, let your song not falter-
He was as the hawthorn fair.-
Lowly at the Virgin’s altar
Will his mother kneel in prayer.
Prayer is good to calm the spirit,
When the keen is sweetly sung.-
Death, though mortal flesh inherit,
Why should age lament the young?-
‘Twas the Banshee’s lonely wailing:-
Well I knew the voice of death
On the night-wind slowly sailing
O’er the bleak and gloomy heath.
If you want to hear the more recent account of the banshee you can watch the interview here: th-cam.com/video/LlljeMom8qg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9cKXKzOq41Aw1kLo
Hi James - great story and video. Binging some of your videos - sore back today 😢
Love mags 💕
Thanks Mags, hope your back feels better soon.
Yeah! Sioxshe and the Banshees 😜
I just came across your channel and I'm subscribed. Keep up the good work!
ah great, thanks appreciate it. And a great band, I actually met them once when I was a kid as they were being supported by altered images and my dad was friendly with their parents.