Pub Songs & Stories #287: Middle Earth Bragging, Greatest Women Composers in History with Apryl Knight

Jun 25, 2024 Podcasts, Pub Songs & Stories Podcast

Have you ever read Lord of the Rings and noticed that each time the hobbits meet a new race along the road, it’s the OLDEST RACE EVER?! I wrote a song about that bragging.

There are a lot of famous male composers in history. Apryl Knight will introduce you to some of the incredible female composers that you may not have heard of.

This is Pub Songs & Stories #287

0:21 – Marc Gunn “The Lady of Setliff Manor” from Soul of Harper

2:41 – WELCOME TO PUB SONGS & STORIES

I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Sci F’ Irish musician and podcaster living in Atlanta, Georgia.

If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather.

5:46 – CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS

Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends.

That is usually how it rolls. But at the end of September, we’re invading Scotland’s Whisky distilleries in between hiking throughout the country. It’s gonna be epic.

You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

6:12 – MY FAVORITES OF CELTIC TOP 20

Every week, the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast asks fans of the show to vote for your favorite songs in the podcast. Those votes are compiled at the end of the year to create the Celtic Top 20, your pick of the best music of the year.

I don’t just make the podcast, I’m a fan of it too. So here is another favorite from recent episodes.

6:34 – Emma Langford “Sailor's Wife” from Sowing Acorns

9:32 – THE STORY OF MIDDLE EARTH BRAGGING SONG

  • Original name “Never Give Up the Mountain”
  • Wrote while visiting my mom and reading Lord of the Rings in Italy

Middle Earth Bragging Song

lyrics and music by Marc Gunn January 27, 2003

We're the Race of Men
Conquer valleys and glens
We build huge towers in the sky
We're strong and we're bold,
Though it be or it be cold
We'll fight everyone till we die

Oh, we'll never give up the mountain
As long as hope remains
And you will never see
A race as important as we…

We’re the race of Dwarves
In dark caverns we forge
And shape the ore that we mine
We're stout with beards
But give us a beer,
And we'll drink to the gold that we find

Oh, we'll never give up the mountain
As long as there's money to be made
And you will never see
A race as important as we…

We're the race of Elves
In forests we dwell
At one with earth and the sky
We're the race first born
And our only concern
Is how close to our gardens you lie

Oh, we'll never give up the mountain
At least until our time is done
And you’ll never see,
A race as old as we…

We're the race of Ents
And we're what was meant
When they said there are shepherd's to trees
We've been stuffy and slow
Since our women left home
And many have fallen to sleep

But we'll never give up the mountain
Our trees are there to defend
And you will never see
A race as old as the trees…

I am Tom Bombadill
I can never stand still
There's too many creatures to see.
I've many songs to sing
And a wife in the stream
So whistle a diddle-diddle to call me.

Oh I'll never give up the mountain
Or say I'm the oldest alive
For you'll probably see
A hobbit climbing a tree
And it won't matter diddle [whistle]
It won't matter diddle [whistle]
It won't matter diddle how high!

17:46 – Marc Gunn “Middle Earth Bragging Song” from Soul of Harper

20:19 – SUPPORT THE CLUB

The show is brought to you by my supporters on Patreon. If you enjoy this podcast or my music, please join the Club. You get something new every week. It could be bonus podcasts, downloadable songs, printed sheet music, blogs, or stories from the road. Plus, you’ll get access to videos like my Coffee with The Celtfather video concerts. You get it all ad-free when you listen and on Patreon. Email follow@celtfather !

If you can’t support me financially, just sign up on Patreon for free. Special thanks to our Superhero Patrons: Janice G, Cecilia Fairley, Not Higgins, C.J.T. Maxwell, Sarah Crockett, William McKissack, Carol Baril, Eric Ray, James Regan, Troy Rodgers

21:27 – GREATEST WOMEN COMPOSERS IN HISTORY

I find it intriguing that I know the names of lots famous male composers through the centuries: Turlough O'Carolan, Mozart, Bach. But I can't name even one woman. So I got really excited to talk with Apryl Knight at Sherwood Forest Faire a few weeks back. She had me captivated by her knowledge of women in music through centuries.

Apryl Knight has been playing music since she was 3 years old. She plays the bowed psaltery and the hurdy gurdy at Renaissance festivals, SCA events around the country. She does it solo as well as with her band Tulstin Troubadours.

She started telling me about women in music in history. I decided to sit down and find out more through an interview. She shared some of her favorite medieval women in music, plus thoughts on traveling as a solo female on the road. And her favorite app while traveling as a vegan too.

37:55 – Apryl Knight “Sellenger’s Round from Dance the Knight Away

39:31 – CREDITS

Thanks for listening to Pub Songs & Stories. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen.

You can follow and listen to the show on my Patreon or wherever you find podcasts. Sign up to my mailing list to learn more about songs featured in this podcast and discover where I’m performing.

Remember. Refuse, Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on your environment.

Have fun and sing along at www.pubsong.com!

#pubstories #famousefemalemusicians #middleearth

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