Loreena McKennitt Sings

And, boy, can Loreena McKennitt sing. Here she is singing The Lady of Shalott. The words are those of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's beautiful poem of the same name about the unfortunate lady who spends her life weaving a magic web. Then she catches sight of a passing knight in her mirror (Sir Lancelot who for once can't be blamed for what befalls her). Overcome by what she sees (and knowing she shouldn't because she's under a curse forbidding her to look down to Camelot) she can't resist watching him ride to the town. The curse immediately takes effect.

Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror cracked from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
the Lady of Shalott.

And, of course, it doesn't end well for her though why she would think a chance glimpse of anyone would be worth activating a curse - however nebulous this one seems - I can't imagine. Still it's a lovely poem and the paintings on the video accompanying the song are also lovely rather pre-Raphaelite looking. You can find out more about the pre Raphaelites here.


I can't believe that I had not heard of Loreena McKennitt before but now I've listened to her I'm definitely a fan. She has a stunning voice. No wonder she has such a huge following.