The Broader Symbolism of Female Voices in Folk Music

Many of the songs that Timbre Trio will be singing for you at our first full-length concert on January 26 share a common thread: they are stories told from the perspective of women. One of these songs, Lord Franklin, which I chose to arrange for three voices, includes added verses from the perspective of Franklin’s wife, who expresses her sorrow and longing for the lost sailor. This female point of view adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative, as it focuses on the voices of those left behind—the women who waited and mourned for the men who set sail on the ill-fated expedition. This perspective is crucial in understanding the broader human cost of such expeditions and provides a poignant counterpoint to the historical account of exploration and adventure.

In this sense, the female perspective becomes a powerful symbol of all those who suffered in silence, whether wives, mothers, daughters, or sweethearts. The uncertainty of not knowing the fate of loved ones, combined with the physical and emotional toll of long separation, highlights the isolation of the women waiting on land, unable to intervene or change the course of events.

It's worth noting that the inclusion of the female perspective in songs like Lord Franklin can also be seen as part of a broader tradition in folk music, where the voices of women often represent not just individual loss, but collective experience. Folk ballads, especially those dealing with tragedy, war, or death, often highlight the emotional and familial consequences of these events, and women’s voices have historically been key in communicating the sorrow and resilience of affected communities.

We hope you will enjoy Timbre Trio’s version of Lord Franklin at our performance in January, and that you’ll discover the thread of these themes running through the other songs we’ve chosen to perform, among which include our cover of The Roches It’s Bad for Me, a witty, playful song about an unhealthy relationship, Robin’s original composition, Wrong, a driving, rhythmic, break-up song that is both relatable and deeply human, and Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier, a traditional American folk song that, similarly to Lord Franklin, reflects the emotional turmoil, loss, and longing of a woman mourning her lover’s departure, and the uncertainty of his fate.

-Tammy