A faerie queen of the Otherworld falls in love with an Ulster hero, and he with her, but his wife intervenes and the lovers are driven apart, mad with longing. To end their suffering he drinks a draught of forgetfulness, while the queen’s husband shakes his magic cloak between them, parting them for eternity.
Story’s country of origin – Ireland
Based on the myth “The Only Jealousy of Emer,” as translated by Jeffrey Gantz, Early Irish Myths and Sagas (London: Penguin Books, 1981), pp 155-178; and the Dover republication Celtic Myths and Legends (NY: Dover Pub. Ltd., 1990) of the translation by T.W. Rolleston, Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race (London: G.L. Harrap & Co., 1911), pp 226-228.
lyrics
Verse 1
I fell in love with an ideal
But I believed with all my heart that it was real
And when we met he felt the same
There in the light of love, true lovers we became
Verse 2
Our other lives melted away
We had no care but for ourselves from day to day
We were consumed by our desire
Of our embrace we promised never we would tire
Lift
Until the moment she reminded you
Who you had first been promised to
Chorus
Farewell, my love
You have turned your back
Without you, love
I am painted black
My greatest loss
I am torn from bliss
You’ve chosen, love
Abandon this
Verse 3
I will embrace oblivion
The only place where you and I can be undone
And when the veil between us falls
We will be deaf to one another’s calls
Verse 4
I could only say, “It will always be this way”
I could only hope against inevitable slope
I could only live with giving all I had to give
I could only show the love I wanted you to know
Lift
A line that’s permanent divides us now
Yet life goes on, some way, somehow
Chorus
Farewell, my love
You have turned your back
Without you, love
I am painted black
My greatest loss
I am torn from bliss
You’ve chosen, love
Abandon this
Outro
Be happy, love
As you forget me
We may be broken, love
But we are free
Leslie Hudson is a Canadian singer songwriter and pianist. Their albums range from storytelling styles to bluesy bar rock to
dialed-up, full-band homages to pop culture. With lyrical piano skills and a voice that cuts through the crowd, their songs dive deep into archetype and folklore, modernizing ancient voices & shining a spotlight on the shadowy paths we walk through life, myth and media....more
Mischief was my introduction to the spellsongcraft of S.J. Tucker who builds sonic story sculptures with such precision and grace of motion that I am borne up on her bright beating wings of wonder. Leslie Hudson
My favourite album by Karine Polwart, an understatedly brilliant songwriter, serene and incisive, who weaves resistance, hope, joy and heartbreak into hauntingly crafted arrangements rich in harmony. Leslie Hudson
A silky, smooth, sultry voice weaving lyrical imagery upon a canvas of exquisite tonal contours. Immensely pleasurable. The bouncy cheer of " Little Bird" is a delightful contrast to the dusky jazz groove of this truly beautiful album. Much gratitude for you S J ! roddylloyd
Thin Lear's sophisticated rock music is tempered with soaring chamber pop accents and an undeniable gift for melody. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 30, 2020
A collab between Jill O’Sullivan, Peter Kelly, and Andy Monaghan of Frightened Rabbit, “This Rock” is moody indie at its best. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 23, 2022