Loreena McKennitt & Lady of Shalott

Loreena McKennitt shares the story about how Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Lady of Shalott” became a song on her 1991 album The Visit. Classic poetry and books are often used as inspiration for modern songs. Marc Gunn shares why he wrote a song inspired by Anne of Green Gables.

It’s all on Pub Songs & Stories #245.

WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAY

Welcome to Pub Songs & Stories. This is the Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music with your host Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music at PubSong.com.

0:32 -  WHAT’S NEW?

• Today’s show is brought to you by my Gunn Runners on Patreon. Thanks to our newest Patrons: Expat Fledgling, Krory D, Ryan and Kelly M, John M
• I have a new Christmas single out. In fact, it’s another hobbit Christmas single. The song is called “Yuletide”.
• Join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon to download it now. I’ll tell you more about the song on the next show.
• What are you doing while listening to Pub Songs & Stories? I’d love your thoughts and feedback. So take a picture of yourself or where you are or what one of these stories reminds you of. Post it on social media. Use the hashtag #pubstories so I can find it and share your story.

4:11 - UPCOMING SHOWS

• DEC 8: Coffee with The Celtfather @ 11 AM EST
• DEC 15: Coffee with The Celtfather @ 11 AM EST
• DEC 16: Celtfather Live @ 7 PM EST

4:44 - STORY OF THE LADY OF SHALOTT

Arthurian mythology shows up a lot in my life. Whether it’s the Chalice Well that accidentally became a part of the Brobdingnagian Bards logo or my very first Renaissance festival, Excalibur Fantasy Faire. I love stories about life during the time of Camelot.

So I guess it wasn’t much of a surprise that I fell in love with Loreena McKennitt’s song “Lady of Shalott” 30 years ago. Her song was written based on a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. I have my own connection to it too which I’ll tell you more about in a bit.

But first, I’m extremely pleased to have Loreena McKennitt share her story about how and why “The Lady of Shalott” also became a song.

In September, she re-released a 30th anniversary edition of her 1991 album The Visit. The album has sold more than two million copies. It features all of the original songs remastered, plus, a bunch of live performances, alternate mixes, and even some interviews she’s done about the album.

8:11 - “The Lady Of Shalott Live Trio - October 28, 2016 Gaillard Centre” by Loreena McKennitt from The Visit - The Definitive Edition

You can find out more about Loreena McKennitt at https://loreenamckennitt.com/. You’ll also find her all over streaming. This story was released along with other stories as promo for The Visit, The Definitive Edition. So you can find out more about the songs from that album.

I gotta say I love her description of this song. I feel like she beautifully captured the imagery of the pastoral English countryside.

In the fall of 2019, McKennitt put her career on hold to place more time and attention on civic matters and climate change, while also advocating for stronger legislation to protect artists’ rights and encouraging people to buy their music directly from the artist whenever possible.

That’s fantastic. We need more people to work on the Climate Renaissance.

16:20 - SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE

The musicians on this podcast are happy to share their music freely with you. You ca