The Willow Tree has a long and rich history of symbolism in traditional folk music. Often representing themes such as unrequited love, bereavement and death, the willow also offers us a symbol of hope, resilience and rebirth. The “weeping” willow has been said to encourage the expression of deep emotions, but the tree’s incredible ability to bend to great lengths without breaking, reminds us that even in the face of great adversities, we have the ability to persevere and to grow. Given its ability to evoke the strongest emotions, the willow tree has inspired some of the most poignant songs in traditional music. After much research and discovery, we have carefully chosen these songs to present in “The Willow Collection”. Growing up in a very musical Nova Scotian family, we spent our lives immersed in a strong instrumental music tradition. While we grew up surrounded by fiddle tunes and dancing, singing was not as strong a presence in our musical upbringing. This project allowed us to delve into the world of vocal songs in a way we’ve not done before. Many of these songs, while rooted in the Celtic tradition, have transcended musical genres and geographic boundaries. Originating mainly in Scotland, Ireland and England, they made the journey across the Atlantic, shaping the repertoire of traditional music as we know it today. Over time these songs have become staples in Bluegrass, Appalachian and Celtic Folk music. They continue to evolve and change with each generation of tradition bearers and collectors who learn and pass them on. It was an incredible experience exploring the song traditions of those that came before us. We merged vocal and instrumental worlds and the songs took new life as we added own voices. In addition to the traditional songs on the album, we’ve included some lesser-known and original pieces that highlight the ability of the Willow Tree to unify many genres of traditional music. We are excited to share these songs and tunes with you. We hope they bring you comfort in times of sadness and make you dance in times of joy…