Rusalka's Lure: Slavic Seduction in a Terrifying Poem

Can a mystical creature's song lead you to your doom? In this episode, Andrea joins Knob Twister as a special guest to explore the shadowy depths of Slavic folklore. We unravel the spine-tingling poem "The Rusalka" by Alexander Pushkin, where a hapless friar falls prey to the enchanting but deadly Rusalka. Listen along as we read the poem aloud, dissect its themes, and even share three original stanzas that offer a chilling conclusion to the friar's tragic tale. We also draw intriguing parallels between Rusalkas and Greek sirens, underscoring their timeless allure and danger.

Shifting gears, we compare these ancient legends to modern interpretations, focusing on Disney's cheerful adaptation of "The Little Mermaid." Discover how today's sanitized versions starkly contrast with the original, darker tales where mermaids are far from benevolent. Reflecting on Pushkin's narrative style, we emphasize the importance of sharing our podcast to grow our community. Don't miss our heartfelt shoutout to Sofa Sitter and a promise for more enchanting and thought-provoking episodes. Tune in for an episode filled with haunting poetry and mesmerizing folklore!

This episode is a replay from 2019-2021; please ignore any announcements during the episode.

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Rusalka by Ivan Bilibin, 1934

One of my favorite bands, “The Decemberists,” has a song on their album, “I’ll Be Your Girl,” about the Rusalka.

Rusalka, Rusalka / Wild Rushes Lyrics

Rusalka, Rusalka your arms out of water
Your hair like an alien bloom
Dark-eyed Rusalka, your brow tressed in flowers
Pale in a liminal moon
And all that you are is a star on the water

When first I went swimming, I heeded no warning
And dared breach your rippling pool
As I lulled and lingered, the ring slipped my finger
And drifted down the deepening cool
And all that I want is to fall in your shallows

And now we are wed, the water our bed
And bank to bank property lake
And you are my wild-eyed rusalka, my river bride
Drag me down, take me away
And here we will lie, you and I, 'neath the cold, dark sky

I, oh I
I, oh I, oh I

Beware the wild rushes, my mother told me
That grow on the bank side along the salt sea
But I being young, I heeded her none
So to the wild rushes the wind carried me

The summer was here and the sun it was high
And to the wild rushes I came by and by
And there took my seat and dipped in my feet
And through the wild rushes, a voice sweetly cried, ah

Come down, my little darling, come closer to me
The water is warm, it is salty and free
I long for your touch, but I won't ask too much
And I, being foolish, walked in to my knees

Come down, little darling, and lay at my breast
Oh, come a little closer and I'll do the rest
I waited so long for a lover to come
And I, being foolish, walked in to my chest, ah, ah

Come down, my little darling, oh farther come in
For deeper the water, the sweeter the sin
My lily lies here, if you'd only draw near
And I, being foolish, went in to my chin

Oh come, my little darling, do you feel my cool breath?
Do you feel my arms around you so warm and so wet?
Swept from my feet, she pulled me beneath
And in the wild rushes, I went to my death

By The Decemberists

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