The Gentlemen chat about the music and language of death with Kate Burridge, Professor of Linguistics at Monash University.
* Portions of this podcast may be educational.
Kate’s First Four Songs:
Ad Mortem Festinamus
The song is an anonymous piece from the 1300s, collected in a Spanish Monastery. Its lyrics address the idea that we all have an end date — and we should stop the sinning.
Ad mortem festinamus We hurry into death,
Peccare desistamus let us quit sinning
Peccare desistamus let us quit sinning
This version is from the 1399 manuscript Llibre Vermell de Montserrat.
Twa Corbies (two ravens)
This is a traditional Scottish poem that describes two crows chatting as they plan to feast on the corpse of a newly slain knight. It was first published in 1812, but is undoubtedly much much older (Another version called "The Three Ravens" (probably better known) dates from at least the early 1600s). The piece was chosen because it features birds that have always been associated with death. This version is Steelye Span's which I've always loved.
The Bonny Swans (also known as “Cruel Sister”, “The Two Sisters" or the Scots title "The Twa Sisters" — and a bucketload of other names!)
This is a traditional murder ballad, and it dates back to at least the mid 1600s (there are over 20 different versions). The song recounts the grim tale of a girl drowned by her jealous sister. This version is by Canadian singer and harpist Loreena McKennitt and it’s a pastiche of a number of different versions of the ballad.
Death in a Fen
This is the first in a medley of traditional songs, each narrating tales of love, betrayal and death (the others are “Bruton Town” and “Our Captain Cried”). This piece showcases the hurdy gurdy, an instrument that features large in The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, in particular his depiction of “hell”. The piece is played by the English folk band Blowzabella.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurdy-gurdy
Link to Kate’s Ted Talk on euphemisms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCTgNyA3DY
Frankenphrases:
Barry Humphries:
Mel Blanc and Jack Benny:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy1ztCTrBEU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flintstones#
The wine details:Devil’s Lair Margaret River Honeybomb Cabernet - Malbec
Spotify Playlist: or Search for WWAWHTR
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1iQXo97vxiq7PujEE0a7ab?si=680274127ca64eac
Recorded at The Hen House Osborne Park 7pm Monday 6th January 2025 https://thehenhouse.com.au/
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