Loreena McKennitt
Loreena McKennitt - The Mummers' Dance
Dante's Prayer
Loreena McKennitt
1957-Present
What do you love most about this artists music? What makes them so unique?
There are so many things I love about Loreena McKennitt! I’ve been a fan of hers ever since I was introduced to her when I was young - my family told me “this seems like the sort of music you would like” and they were right!
I love how all her music has folklore and fantasy elements to it, as well as a lot of connection to nature and old traditions. The way she crafts the instrumental parts for her songs is also quite unique, I find, and a trademark of hers - they’re not just background, they play a key part in every song she writes. She sometimes plays those parts herself for her performances!
Her style is very distinctive, too - somehow relaxing and captivating at the same time. Every song seems to have this dreamy quality to it, some feeling of timelessness and mystery. She really makes every song and cover of hers her own, adding creative background elements and flavor to the lyrics. And it’s easy to get her melodies stuck in your head, and sing along with them.
As a person she’s also very kind (and funny!) She has a lot of philanthropy projects going for a number of different causes that are special to her, and really just lives her passion for music and history in every way she can.
If someone told you to “name five songs”, which songs would you choose and why?
It’s so hard to choose between so many of her classics! However, I think the top song of hers I’d choose would be Dante’s Prayer. The music is so vivid, and beautiful, and awe-inspiring - it feels like it’s transporting you to a different dimension. The way low solemn chanting blends with gorgeous instrumentals and an overarching, wistful melody is so uniquely special. I once went to a live performance of hers on my birthday and when she performed this song, everyone went totally quiet - golden light shimmered down to the stage as she sang and we were all entranced. The recording is amazing enough but nothing could ever replicate that experience.
I also enjoy The Mummers’ Dance, probably her most popular song. As always the music is enchanting and slightly haunting - the lyrics speak about nature and ancient folk rituals for the coming of the spring.
Blacksmith is a folk song that she performs a really touching rendition of. While she didn’t write it herself, the song seems made for her voice and style. While the music is delicate and melancholy, she adds a level of power and drama to it that keeps you listening intently to the story. I often enjoy singing it myself, and I learned it through her arrangement!
The Bonny Swans is a favorite of mine too, based on an old folk tale (one that seems to exist in some variation in nearly every culture!) about a girl who dies by her jealous sister’s hand and whose body is made into a musical instrument. When the instrument is played for her family, the girl speaks through the music to reveal the events of her demise. Haunting, beautiful, and surprisingly relaxing with McKennitt’s pure voice.
The Lady of Shalott is a poem by Tennyson, based on Lady Elaine from the legends of King Arthur. Loreena McKennit put it to music and I really enjoy listening to this one to calm my mind. While it’s a long poem and somewhat repetitive, each verse of the song holds a unique layer of beauty that is only added to with the dreamy instrumentals. I feel it deserves a lot more popularity than it’s gotten!
Written by Sylvia
Blacksmith
Loreena McKennitt - The Bonny Swans