Review of Old Songs by Amy Jeeves and Gwen Burns – Old Tales of Murder, Maidens and Witchcraft | books

IIn the old Scottish story, Tam Lin, a girl named Janet is warned by her family not to go near the well at Carterhaugh. Lurking there is a dwarf knight who will take the virginity of any golden-haired maiden who crosses his path. The next day, Janet, with golden hair and a rebellious spirit, set off for Carterhaugh. In the well, she picked up a double rose that summoned Tam Lin. Janet visits him daily and learns how he was stolen by the Elf Queen, who cursed him to remain in Elfland as her vassal. Months later, she realized she was pregnant with a child. She refuses to abandon her lover, and devises a bold and dangerous plan to free him from the curse.

This is just one of the ancient tales contained in Old Songs, a treasure trove of short stories inspired by traditional folk tales from the British Isles. These richly imaginative stories span the Classical period and the early twentieth century, and include fratricide, infanticide, kidnapping, abandonment, and a man turned into a worm by a witch. “Not all stories are happy, that’s the way of the world,” author Amy Jeffs says in the introduction.

An art historian and medieval scholar, Jeeves tells these interconnected tales with warmth, intimacy, and an undercurrent of menace. After each story, she provides analysis and traces the poem’s development through literature, spoken word, and song. This audio edition comes with wonderful music excerpts from composer and musician Natalie Price. There is also a digital booklet featuring haunting illustrations by Gwen Burns.

Available via Riverrun, 4 hours 18 minutes

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