Ankhsty Thoughts

Once upon a time there was a young woman. This woman loved to sing, and may have been quite good (it's too subjective a thing for me to know). One night she was at a bar where there was an informal gathering of singers and musicians having a 'trad session' - where they would perform folk songs of a mostly celtic ilk. Knowing she was about to leave she decided that she would take the next opportunity to begin a song. She wanted to sing "She moves through the fair," one of her favourites.

However, when the music next stopped there was no pause in which to begin a new song as one of the singers was asked to perform instead.

Low and behold the song that the performer chose was "she moves through the fair," but in the middle of the second verse she forgot the words and stopped. Seeing a chance to sing her song afterall, the young woman started singing, as she knew the words well. The two women sang together to the end of the song, at which point the rest of the performers all cheered.

"That was lovely, sing us another" they implored the young woman.

"I don't know what to sing, I've just sung the one I wanted to do" she replied, but then inspiratioon struck her "Do you know 'An Eriskay Love lilt?'" she asked. They did, but noone could play it for her, although they could play her a note from which to start.

The young woman began to sing...

'vair me oro van o, vair me oro van ee...'

The noise in the bar was suddenly silent as every patron stopped to listen...

'vair me o ru o ho, sad am i without thee.

When I'm lonely, dear white heart,
Dark the night and wild the sea
by love's light my foot find
the old pathway to thee

Thou't the music of my heart,
harp of joy, my cruit mo chridh
moon of guidance by night
Strength and light thou't to me

vair me oro van o, vair me oro van ee\
vair me o ru o ho, sad am i without thee'.

As she finished her song, her prince arrived to carry her away, but not before she was invited to sing with the group again next time.