The Harper's Fate When I wrote this piece while waiting for the start of a New Year's Party that we were hosting, I wanted to capture the unearthly cruelty played by certain Elfin Knights of ballad and legend. It is now a half-dozen years after I wrote this. Vashti (Ruth Woodring), who first put this to music, passed away a few months ago. Mayflies that we are, time marches on. WHEN Donal the Harper met Elspeth the fair, He harped her a song of love's trove; When Donal the Harper wooed Elspeth the fair he rang the greenwood grove. Elspeth and Donal were wed in the Spring; He harped her a song and then three. She's borne him a bairn and made the woods sing While the leaves were still green on the tree. CHORUS: The Lords and ladies of Elfland dance, Beautiful, brittle, and bright; Each step is so perfect, leave nothing to chance; Donal harped and he wept in the night. Elspeth and Donal were mortal and fair; None else could their hearts win. Elspeth loved Donal, he held her with care; Their hearts held no guile and no sin. Elspeth left Donal to fetch at the well; She's walked to the foot of the hill. She's laid down her pail and knelt down to smell The roses as red as the kill. CHORUS An Elfin Knight saw Elspeth the Fair; His milk white steed he pricked. "Elspeth the Fair of the Golden Hair, Why hast thou roses picked?" Light down, light down, thou Elfin Knight, A rose I'll gie to thee; But nothing more, thou soulless wight, My Donal's the man for me." CHORUS "Elspeth the fair, with the roses so red, A boon I would ask of thee: I know thou art wed, I know where I tread, A dance I would have of thee. "As chaste as thou art, so chaste wilt thou stay, I wish only a step or three; No kiss will I pray, I'll not have my way, I wish only a dance of thee." CHORUS The Elfin Knight took Elspeth the Fair, And clasped her round the waist; Away, away, he rode through the air; His milk-white steed flew with haste. When Donal the Harper saw twilight approach, And heard his bairn's hungry cry, He took up his harp, his cloak, and his broach, And clasped his sword to his thigh. CHORUS The Lords and Ladies of Elfland that night Danced an Elfin Ball; The Elfin Knight held Elspeth tight And pulled her into the hall. Donal the Harper was fast in their wake; He strode into the hall. Before he could speak, a spell they did make, And forced him to harp their will. CHORUS The Elfin Knight took Elspeth the Fair And led her in the dance; The hours passed care, he led her still there, And held her in a trance. They spun and they twirled, he gave her no rest, They danced around and around; She died when her heart burst in her breast; He laid her on the ground. CHORUS When Albany's king was Kenneth the Great, Elspeth and Donal first kissed; When Albany's crown with James met its fate, The harper strode forth from the mist. Donal the Harper knew sorrow and strife And emptiness deep in his heart; He knew not whether he missed his wife, Or Elfin dancing's Art. copyright 31 Dec 1992 (AS XXVII) by Earle B. 'Glas' Durboraw