"The Hoodie And The Mussel" is an old traditional Scottish tale with a valuable lesson.  I first came across the story in Donald A Mackenzie's wonderful book 'Tales From The Moors And The Mountains" (1931).

Anyway, the music, words and narration on this recording are my own way of sharing the story and the wonderful illustration of the Crow is by my talented and very lovely wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community)

If you take the time to listen I hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

The Hoodie And The Mussel

"The King Of Cats" is a wonderful old Scottish tale; one with pagan roots going back many centuries.  It has many guises and there are different versions to be found all over Europe.  Some academics claim that it originates from the ancient tale "The Death Of Pan" but, personally, I suspect it has a more to do with our own mythology about the Cat Sith.  To be honest, we'll never know the answer to that one, but what I can say is that it's been passed from generation to generation here for a very long time.

Anyway, the music, words and narration on this recording are my own way of sharing the story and the wonderful illustration of the Cat is by my talented and very lovely wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community)

If you find the time to listen to the tale, I hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

The King Of Cats

"The Milky White Doo" is a well known Scottish Nursery tale from those times when stories were passed down from generation to generation rather than written in books.  It may seem strange to some people today that a such a dark story involving the murder of a little boy by a wicked step-mother (and his transformation after death into a dove) was told to children for hundreds of years; but these are different times and back then children were no strangers to the harsher realties of life and death.

The version we know today originates from Robert Chambers fantastic book "Popular Rhymes Of Scotland" published 1826 which included several renditions of the tale from different parts of Scotland.  

Those with interested in paganism or history will recognise it's a very old story as the little boy transforms into a spirit animal after death; a theme common in many old folk tales and carrying the ripple of an ancient belief down the river of time.

The music, words and narration on this recording are my own way of sharing the story and the wonderful illustration of the Dove is by my very lovely wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community).

If you do find time to listen to the tale, I hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

The Milky White Doo

"The Laird O' Co" is a famous Scottish legend; a perfect example of the respect and friendship that used to be commonplace between people and the fairy folk hundreds of years ago.   After listening you'll easily guess that the child in the story is a fairy though in some versions they take it a little step further and refer to him as a brownie.

Anyway, the music, words and narration on this recording are my own way of sharing the tale and the wonderful illustration of the fairy is by my talented and very lovely wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community).

I hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

The Laird O' Co

"The Moon And The Marshland" is based on a story from oral tradition collected by Mrs M.C. Balfour and published in 1891 for the Folklore Journal as one of the "Legends of the Lincolnshire Cars".  The original version is in local Lincolnshire dialect under the more sinister title of "The Dead Moon".  The tale hints of early pagan moon worship and contains many clues to very old beliefs.

Anyway, the music, words and narration on this recording are my own way of sharing the story and the wonderful illustration of the Moon Goddess is by my talented and very lovely wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community)

I hope you enjoy the story.

Derek
xxx

The Moon And The Marshland

"The Wee Bannock" is an old Scottish nursery tale; a wonderful fairy story that has been passed down through the generations.

The music, words and narration on this recording are my own way of sharing the story and the wonderful "wee bannock" in the photo was made by my amazing and talented wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community).

If you find the time to listen to the tale, I hope you enjoy it.

Derek

The Wee Bannock

"A Cunning Crow" is a traditional Scottish tale; a fable teaching that both old and young have wisdom to share.

The words and music on the recording are my own way of sharing the story, and the lovely illustration of the two crows is by my wonderfully talented wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community).

If you find the time to listen to the tale, I hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

A Cunning Crow

"The Horned Women" is an ancient Irish tale collected  by Lady Wilde and published in her book "Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland" in 1888.

The words and music on the recording are my own way of sharing the story, and the lovely illustration of the "Witch Of The Two Horns" is by my very talented wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community).

If you have time to listen to the tale, I really hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

The Horned Women

"The Fox and the Clever Cockerel" is a traditional Scottish tale; a fable with age old wisdom.

The words and music on the recording are my own way of sharing the story, and the wonderful illustration of the fox is by my very talented wife, Deborah (known as "Corn Moon Spirit" in the pagan community).

I hope you enjoy it.

Derek
xxx

The Fox And The Clever Cockerel

"How The First Castle Was Built On Stirling Rock" is an old Scottish tale; one I first encountered in  the James MacDougall's book "Folk tales and fairy lore in Gaelic and English" (1910)

The words and music on the recording are my own way of telling this wonderful story, and for a change, I also did the illustration that goes with it (though I admit to being a bit rusty with my art ).

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Derek

How The First Castle Was Built On Stirling Rock

I'm a musician who loves fairy tales and folklore.  I decided to record stories to share and add some music that I've written to go with them.   All instruments are played by myself.  I also tell the tales; sometimes with a little help from my wife, Deborah.   I also have a Facebook page for the Well Of Stories at https://www.facebook.com/thewellofstories/

The Well Of Stories