Modir min i kvi kvi (Icelandic folk song)

Описание: from Heri et Hodie/Yesterday and Today: Echoes of the Vikings

Musicians from L to R:
Vidita Kanniks, arranger & harp
Lauren McAllister, talharpa & vocals
Jackie Stevens, vocals
Kenna Scott, vocals
Krista Cornish Scott, vocals & hand drum

Performed live at Christ Church Cathedral on Feb 2nd, 2022

Translation:

My mother in the sheep pen
don't you worry because
I'll lend you my rag
my rag to dance in

In Icelandic:

móðir mín í kví kví
kviddu ekki því því
ég skal ljá þér duluna mína
duluna mína að dansa í

(For more info on this song please see this webpage: https://blogs.transparent.com/iceland...

"In short the story goes:

Once there was a worker woman who had become pregnant. She gave birth in secret, wrapped the child in rags* and abandoned it.
Later that year a fest called Vikivaki** arrived. The woman felt she could not attend, having no good clothes for it. Once when she was milking the ewes with another woman she told her about this problem. Suddenly, from below the floor, they both heard something sing:

“My mother in the sheep pen
Don’t you worry
I will lend you my rags
For you to dance in.”

Upon hearing this the woman quickly went insane.

*Some stories mention this, the one in the picture does not. However, the song assumes it nevertheless. For a really creepy version of the song, go here.

**Vikivaki means both a traditional dance danced in a ring, a type of a song/poem often recited in these occasions and also to a whole fest of dancing. As dancing was at best frowned upon and at worst strictly forbidden by the church, these fests were naturally extremely popular."