She Moved Through The Fair

Loreena McKennitt's rendition of 'She Moved Through The Fair' is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that delves into themes of love, loss, and the ethereal nature of memory. The song, rooted in traditional Irish folk music, tells the story of a lover's promise and the subsequent sorrow that follows an unexpected separation. The lyrics are rich with imagery and emotion, painting a vivid picture of a love that transcends the physical world.

The song begins with a hopeful promise of marriage, as the narrator's love assures them that their union will be accepted by her family. However, as she moves through the fair and eventually disappears, the tone shifts to one of melancholy and longing. The fair, a place of gathering and commerce, symbolizes the bustling life that continues around the narrator, even as his personal world is shattered by her absence. The imagery of the swans moving over the lake at evening adds a layer of tranquility and inevitability to the scene, suggesting that life and nature continue their course despite human sorrow.

The third verse introduces a communal perspective, with people commenting on the couple's fate. The line 'No two e'er were wed, but one has a sorrow that never was said' hints at a deeper, unspoken grief that the narrator carries. The final verse blurs the line between reality and dream, as the narrator envisions his lost love returning to him, whispering the same promise of their wedding day. This dream sequence underscores the enduring nature of his love and the haunting presence of his beloved in his thoughts. McKennitt's ethereal voice and the song's haunting melody amplify the sense of longing and the bittersweet beauty of the narrative.