Harper, vocalist

Photo: Phil Stracchino

On her recordings, Margie performs songs and instrumental pieces from the Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, The Isle of Man and French Brittany.  Margie can also be heard as a guest musician on the Linda Ronstadt
 recording, Dedicated to the One I Love.

Margie's larger harp is a neo-Celtic, nylon  strung harp with  33 strings.
Her bronze  strung harp, with 26
strings, is fashioned after the older
harps.  The bell like tones of these instruments transport the listener
back to the ancient times of the Celts.

The harps that Margie plays are based on the ancient harps
of the Celtic lands. These harps were carried by the harpers throughout the countryside, bringing music and tales to the
people. In much the same manner, Margie tours worldwide
with Golden Bough, bringing this music to the modern
audience.  Included in her CD and concert  repertoire are
pieces from the renowned Irish harper, Turlough O'Carolan;
who combined the traditional music of his country with the Baroque music that was popular during his time.  She also
sings many of the old ballads and tales set to music,
 as well as providing her own compositions to her harp CDs.

An ancient Irish legend tells of the magical harp Uaithne, who gave birth to three children symbolizing the three types of music played on the harp. With the birth of the first child, Goltrai, she played the song of weeping. As Geantrai, the second child was born, she played a tune of joy and laughter. Upon the birth of the third child, Suantrai, Uathne was tired and so played the lullaby to soothe herself and the children to sleep. Featuring vocal and instrumental pieces from Ireland and Scotland, and using the natural musical settings of the Celtic harp, these magical forms are brought to life by Margie Butler.
(From the CD Celtic Lullaby)

Fylde Folk Festival, England (1986)
Photo: Roger Liptrot

Harp Lessons
Are you interested in
learning to play the harp?
Margie teaches both nylon and wire harp techniques.  Margie teaches in Northern Oregon, currently Dallas, McMinnville and Sheridan . However, since Golden Bough travels to different areas,
contact Margie and she may be able to arrange a lesson or two
in your area whenever she is on tour there.  Contact Margie at margie@goldenboughmusic.com
or at (503) 843-2152.