brenda sutton

Discovery – Three Weird Sisters

by

Reach for that red rose, my dear, a rose but barely one,
And I will be your love, my dear, and all your life undone

A happy Halloween to all!

This year, instead of simply posting everyone’s favorite trad ballad about getting knocked up by some guy in the woods and having to go steal him back from the Faerie on Halloween, have an alternative (and unnerving) perspective from Tam Lin’s side.

“Discovery” was written by Three Weird Sisters former member Gwen Knighton, singing here along with Brenda Sutton and Teresa Powell. Lyrics are available on the Three Weird Sisters website.

Caretakers – Bill & Brenda Sutton

by

In the time of rising mountains
In the age when life was new,
The trees were the rulers of life on earth
And the world as a forest grew. 

I posted an old recording of this a while ago, and I’m so happy to find one now that’s not a grainy cassette rip – and with some new instruments and harmonies that give this song some truly magical depth.  “Caretakers,” written by Bill Sutton, performed by Bill and Brenda Sutton.  It’s the kind of song that shifts between realism and fantasy in a beautiful way…and the kind of song that makes me cry.

Vor – Bill & Brenda Sutton

by

Vor is the name we won from our fathers.
Vor is the love that our mothers provide.
Vor is the honor we share with our brothers.
Vor is the duty that keeps us alive. 

“Vor,” by Bill Sutton – a good, old-fashioned space hymn for the Vorkosigan Saga.  This version features Bill and Brenda Sutton, plus Betsy Tinney on cello, Chas Somdahl on guitar, and Dave Clement, Becca Leathers, and Michelle Dockrey providing backing vocals – including a beautiful Russian counterpoint, written by Michelle.

This Side of the Knife – Seanan McGuire and Dead Sexy

by

This side of the knife
When I was fool enough to wonder
Asked what I should not have asked
Called down rain and called down thunder

“This Side of the Knife,” a wonderfully dark and cryptic song by Talis Kimberley. This version was performed at MarCon by Seanan McGuire and Dead Sexy (Seanan McGuire, Amy McNally, Brenda Sutton, Teresa Powell, Dr. Mary Crowell, & Bill Sutton) with the fabulous Judi Miller providing ASL interpretation.

Talis Kimberley has described this song as a companion story to Crazy Man Michael, which doesn’t necessarily make it any less cryptic, but definitely provides some context.

Song of Fey Cross – Three Weird Sisters

by

Outside of our town, at the edge of the forest
Two roads come together, they call it Fey Cross
And there at the crossroads, away from the roadside
There’s an odd mound of granite all covered with moss

Oh, soft is the pillow, all green and inviting
Sweet is the sound of a new faery tune
But beware of the voices that call you to sleep there
That call you to dream ‘neath the light of the moon.

“Song of Fey Cross,” a warning song written by Gwen Knighton and performed by Three Weird Sisters (Gwen Knighton, Brenda Sutton, and Teresa Powell).

Lyrics available on their website.

Witch of the Wood – Three Weird Sisters

by

I seek the Witch of the Wood, Lady of Forest and Glen
Dark things howl at the gate threatening women and men.

“Witch of the Wood” by Dr. Mary Crowell, performed by Three Weird Sisters (the combined talents of Mary Crowell, Brenda Sutton, and Teresa Powell).

Lyrics available on their website.