This is a narrative piece based on a favorite song, "Wind and Rain." The song began as a traditional Scottish ballad in 1656 and tells the haunting tale of a girl who is drowned by her jealous sister. A bow and fiddle are made from her hair and bones and the beautiful tune it plays recounts her murder.
There are English, Irish, Norse and Swedish variations and it reappears as a fairytale. The song was collected in America by Francis James Child in the late 1800's. "Wind and Rain" has been performed and recorded by many musicians including Bob Dylan (late 60's, titled Two Sisters); Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (early 70's); Tom Waits (Two Sisters); and is still being played these days by Gillian Welch and Crooked Still.
