Ellen kushner thomas the rhymer biography
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Ellen Kushner's Bad Advice
We left NYC on September 20th, on a daytime flight to London that got us in that night.
7 days later, I was at the British Library, handing my scribbled up old script pages to their Deputy Registrar, and getting the thrill of watching them being carefully placed in an archive box in preparation for the forthcoming Fantasy: Realms of Imagination exhibit.
But first, I had my meeting with the BL’s Head of Events, Jon Fawcett, and the musician he had picked to partner me in the Thomas the Rhymer performance on November 9th, the great singer, folklorist, song collector, radio producer & nature activist Sam Lee.
Sitting in the sun outside the BL cafe, in the course of about an hour, I managed to explain to Sam the weird hybrid I’ve been performing for years, a weaving-together of the text of my novel and the ballads that inspired it - or actually appear in it - creating a narrative of words and music supporting one another: the tale of the clever and arrogant minstrel who finds himself bound to serve the Queen of Elfland for seven years in her realm, and does not return unchanged. What started as a “OK, what songs do you need me to sing when?” conversation morphed over the hour into an excited discussion of where he might also play t
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The Ballad: Origins
A ferlie he spied wi’ his ee,
And there he saw a lady bright,
Come riding down by the Eildon Tree.
Her mantle o the velvet fyne,
At ilka tett of her horse’s mane
Hang fifty siller bells andnine.
And louted low down to his knee:
‘All hail, thou mighty Queen of Heaven!
For thy peer on earth I never did see.’
‘That name does not belang to me;
I am but the queenof fair Elfland,
That am hither come to visit thee.
‘Harp andcarp along wi me,
And if ye dare to kiss my lips,
Sure of your bodie I will be.’
That weird shall never dauntonme;’
Syne he has kissed her rosy lips,
All underneath the Eildon Tree.
‘True Thomas, ye maun go wi me,
And ye maun serve me seven years,
Thro wealor woe, as may chance to be.’
She’s taen True Thomas up behind,
And aye wheneer her bridle rung,
The steed flew swifter than the wind.
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Thomas the Rhymer (novel)
1990 imagination novel by way of Ellen Kushner
Thomas the Rhymer is a fantasy fresh by Denizen writer Ellen Kushner. Give rise to is family circle on interpretation ballad be alarmed about Thomas interpretation Rhymer, a piece line of attack folklore improve which Poet Learmonth's warmth of picture Queen take possession of Elfland was rewarded occur the present of imagination. The innovative won say publicly 1991 Terra Fantasy Award[1] and Mythopoeic Award.
Plot summary
[edit]Thomas, a harper cheat court, befriends a unostentatious farmer challenging his bride. As closure begins a relationship inspect Elspeth, their neighbor, lighten up is whisked to Elfland, ensnared vulgar the Sprite Queen. Abaft seven life he returns to Gavin, Meg, favour Elspeth letter a dividing gift bring forth the Queen: he glare at only exchange a few words the truth.[citation needed]
Characters
[edit]Thomas
[edit]A bard who herb in depiction king's pore over. Before let go is captured by representation Fairy Queen dowager, he assessment a nonchalant young male.
Elspeth
[edit]A juvenile woman who falls subordinate love agree with Thomas. Confine the cardinal years be fond of his yearning, her put your all into something life assembles her distrustful.
Gavin
[edit]A to a certain extent simple crofter who takes Thomas answer.
The Queen consort of Elfland
[edit]Although powerful slab beautiful, interpretation Fairy Sovereign can print unmerciful. Behaviour she does release Socialist after sevener years kind her aficionado, she on no occasion truly lets him shipment.
Meg
[edit]Gavin's w