Writing the Selkie’s Tale
In Hans Christian Andersen’s tragic tale, The Little Mermaid dreams of life on land. Betrayed by one she trusted, she loses her voice, and her every terrestrial step drives knives into her feet. This mermaid chose humiliation and pain to win a human heart. For a time, she and her prince were content. Ultimately, her sacrifice was in vain. He married another.
The Dál Riadic lands have their version of this story. While Anderson’s mermaid has a fish’s tale, the Celtic Selkie sheds its seal skin to reveal a human form. On the Scottish Isles, they speak of a young man who fell in love with one of these folk. They lived happily for a while, but the ocean’s lure proved too strong. His wife returned to the waves, leaving him broken hearted.
Anderson’s mermaid and the Celtic boy both sought affection outside their lane. They both found love, but love was not enough. It was fleeting, and it came with a heavy price tag.
The key difference between these stories is that the girl bore heartbreak in patriarchal Denmark, but matriarchal Celtic mythology left the boy devastated.
I’m drawn to Celtic stories. They are dark and beautiful, besides, I could never top Ashman and Menken’s mermaid songs.
I wanted to write a selkie song and I wanted to do a good job of it!
One of my first decisions as a writer is choosing my song structure. I wanted to tell a story, so a ballad seemed appropriate. These songs narrate stories through verses often linked by a repeating lyrical motif.
Selkie stories are inherently about the ocean. Referencing sea shanties was a way I could musically build this idea.
My next job was to nail a good story. I wanted a tale rich with metaphor and allegory, so I wrote my version of this myth.
So here are my outcomes!
You can read my version of the Selkie story here.
Here’s a link to the final song!
Do you have a favourite myth or legend? Have you written a song about it? If so, please share! Otherwise, would you like me to write you that song?
Take care, gentle reader.
B
