McKennitt blends world-music with folk, Celtic and exotic Mediterranean sounds using instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, kanoun, uilleann pipes, Turkish clarinet, bouzouki and nyckelharpa alongside traditional instruments like guitar, drums and bass and the harp, piano and accordion, the three instruments she plays.
Born in Morden, Manitoba, Canada in February 17, 1957, Loreena moved to Stratford, Ontario, Canada in 1981, where she still resides. She has acted and sung in, and composed music for, Stratford Festival of Canada productions ranging from The Tempest (1982) to The Merchant Of Venice (2001).
Her recording career began in 1985 with the album Elemental. In the fledgling years of her label Quinlan Road, Loreena ran its operations from her kitchen table, selling recordings by mail order and producing her own concert tours across the country. Quinlan Road's catalogue is currently distributed around the world by Warner Music (US), Universal Music (Canada and other territories including Italy and Spain) and a number of independents including Keltia Music (France) and SPV (Germany).
Blacksmith
Loreena McKennitt Lyrics
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Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand
He looked quite clever
And if I was with my love
I'd live forever.
But where is my love gone
With his cheeks like roses
And his good black Billycock on
Decked round with primroses
I'm afraid the scorching sun
Will shine and burn his beauty
And if I was with my love
I'd do my duty.
Strange news is coming to town
Strange news is carried
Strange mews flies up and down
That my love is married.
I wish them both much joy
Though they can't hear me
And may God reward him well
For the slighting of me.
Don't you remember when
You lay beside me
And you said you'd marry me
And not deny me
If I said I'd marry you
It was only for to try you
So bring your witness love
And I'll not deny you.
No witness have I none
Save God Almighty
And may he reward you well
For the slighting of me
Her lips grew pale and wan
It made a poor heart tremble
To think she loved a one
And be proved deceitful.
A blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand
He looked quite clever
And if I was with my love
I'd live forever.
The song "Blacksmith" leads us through the story of a young woman who was courted by a blacksmith for nine months. She was fully enamored with him, holding her heart together with every letter he wrote her. She refers to the man's hammer, which he holds in his hand while he looks quite accomplished. In her opinion, if she was with her love, she could happily live forever. However, things suddenly changed, as she learned that her beloved has gotten married to someone else. She wishes them both joy, and thinks that God should reward him for the slighting of her.
The song reflects the young woman's struggle with heartbreak and her former love's betrayal. She tries to bury her sorrow while reminiscing about the past and what had symbolized hope to her before. While the song is particularly autobiographical, the story can ring true for anyone who has been deceived in love. The metaphor of the blacksmith is that of a skilled artisan, who preys on a young girl's love, only to leave her behind for someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
A blacksmith courted me
I was pursued by a blacksmith
Nine months and better
For over nine months
He fairly won my heart
He earned my love genuinely
Wrote me a letter
He wrote a letter to me
With his hammer in his hand
Holding his hammer
He looked quite clever
He appeared skilled and intelligent
And if I was with my love
If I were with him
I'd live forever.
I would be eternally happy
But where is my love gone
But where has my love disappeared
With his cheeks like roses
With rosy cheeks
And his good black Billycock on
Wearing his black hat
Decked round with primroses
Adorned with primroses
I'm afraid the scorching sun
I fear the burning sun
Will shine and burn his beauty
Will damage his beauty
And if I was with my love
If I were with him
I'd do my duty.
I would fulfill my obligation
Strange news is coming to town
Odd news has arrived in town
Strange news is carried
Curious information is being passed
Strange mews flies up and down
Whispers circulate
That my love is married.
That my love has wed
I wish them both much joy
I wish them happiness
Though they can't hear me
Even if unheard by them
And may God reward him well
May he be blessed by God
For the slighting of me.
For disregarding me
Don't you remember when
Do not recall when
You lay beside me
You were lying next to me
And you said you'd marry me
And you promised to marry me
And not deny me
And not refuse me
If I said I'd marry you
If I said I'd wed you
It was only for to try you
It was a test
So bring your witness love
Therefore, bring a witness my love
And I'll not deny you.
And I will not reject you.
No witness have I none
I have no witnesses
Save God Almighty
Except for God
And may he reward you well
And may God bless you
For the slighting of me
For rejecting me
Her lips grew pale and wan
Her lips turned pale and sickly
It made a poor heart tremble
It made a sad heart quake
To think she loved a one
To consider that she once loved someone
And be proved deceitful.
And be found to be unfaithful
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEOFF SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind