Sources
| Source | ID | Link |
|---|---|---|
| GoodReads | 59797430 | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59797430 |
| Amazon |
Description
The harp is a gruesome thing. Long bones for the pillar; breastbone for the board; the curve of a spine for the instrument's neck and knee. At the head sits a skull, grinning eyelessly at all who flinch away...
Author Comments
In some versions of the folksong this is based on (variously known as "The Cruel Sister," "Twa Sisters," "The Bonny Swans," "Binnorie," and others), the father of the sisters is a common farmer; in others, he's a king. In Loreena McKennit's version, he's both--randomly changing status halfway through, with zero reason given as to why. One night it occurred to me that you could explain this away by the simple expedient of saying the harp is lying....
Author Comments
In some versions of the folksong this is based on (variously known as "The Cruel Sister," "Twa Sisters," "The Bonny Swans," "Binnorie," and others), the father of the sisters is a common farmer; in others, he's a king. In Loreena McKennit's version, he's both--randomly changing status halfway through, with zero reason given as to why. One night it occurred to me that you could explain this away by the simple expedient of saying the harp is lying....