The Two Sisters

TB and Piano

The story of the two sisters described in this murder ballad is a strange one. There are many different versions in which they come from various places (Edinburgh, County Clare, or Kentucky, for instance) and meet a variety of people (a miller, a fisherman, etc.). However, there are a few details that are almost always the same.

It’s traditionally about a jealous sister murdering her sibling in order to gain the favor of a man.  The corpse is later fished out of the river by someone who then fashions a musical instrument of some sort out of her various body parts.  This instrument then goes on to torment the murderous sister in her guilt by only playing one tune (represented by the refrain over and over).

The nice thing about this peculiar story is that the tune is gorgeous and strangely peaceful.  I chose to use a lot of text-painting in the piano part to keep the various refrains from sounding too repetitive and, hopefully, there is plenty to listen for.

The Two Sisters was written for and dedicated to the Prior Lake High School Meistersingers.

The Text

Traditional

There were two sisters walking down by a stream.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
The older one pushed the younger one in.
Oh, the dreadful wind and rain.

Pusher her in the river to drown.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
Watched her as she floated on down.
Oh, the dreadful wind and rain.

Floated on down to the old mill pond.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
She floated on down to the old mill pond.
Oh, the dreadful wind and rain.

The miller fished her out with his long, long hook.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
And he brought this maid in from the brook.
Oh, the dreadful wind and rain.

Made a fiddle bow from her long, yellow hair.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
Made a fiddle bow from her long, yellow hair.
Cried, “Oh!” the dreadful wind and rain.

Made a fiddle bridge from her own nose bridge.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
Made a fiddle bridge from her own nose bridge.
Cried, “Oh!” the dreadful wind and rain.

Made a fiddle from her own breastbone.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
The sound could melt a heart of stone.
Cried, “Oh!” the dreadful wind and rain.

The only tune that fiddle would play.
Oh, the wind and the rain.
The only tune that fiddle would play.
Oh, the dreadful wind and rain.

Performed by the St. Mary's International School Varsity Ensemble, Tokyo, Japan
(Randy Stenson, conductor).