Description

“Cruel Sister”, also known as “The Twa Sisters” is a 17th century folk song, thought to have originated in England or Scotland. There are many variations of the song, but all with the same basic plot (see below). I first learned the song when Pentangle (my favorite band) released their version in 1970.

Note: If you don’t have the patience to listen to the whole video, here’s the “Cliff Notes” version. A knight comes to woo a wife - he woos the crabby older one because… she’s older so she’s supposed to marry first. But he falls in love with the much nicer younger one (she’s blond, so he thinks she’ll be more fun). Older Sis isn’t thrilled with the situation so she drowns Younger Sis. A bit later a couple of minstrel dudes are walking the beach when Younger Sis’s body washes up onto the shore. They make a harp out of her breast bone, because who wouldn’t do that, right?!

And what do you think their next gig is? Older Sis’s wedding! But when they get there the harp begins to play itself, and outs her nasty older sister as her murderer.

Revenge is sweet, AND she gets to be a harp, so win-win!

Celtic Harp‚ Guitar‚ Bar Chimes‚ Finger Cymbal‚ Drum‚ Micro-Bass

#cruelsister #thetwasisters #English #Scottish #folksong #harp #funnyharp

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More fun harp videos at funnyharp.com, youtube.com/@DanVeaner and tiktok.com/@danharpmusic
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