The Musical Tale of the Siren

Sirens and their connection to the sonic are crucial to understanding Mermaid history. Sirens, as a symbol of sound and music, illuminate their role as sonic storytellers. This connection is emphasized through a playlist that was cultivated over the course of the semester, The Penguin Book of Mermaids by Christina Bacchilega and Marie Alohalani Brown, and claims from Meri Franco-Lao’s Sirens: Symbols of Seduction. In exploring early concepts of Mermaids as Sirens, these references accentuate Sirens as voices that embody survival and memory through both literature and sound. Each song within this playlist furthers the notion of Sirens and their historical connection to the sonic through music and sound.

From early literature, Sirens have been portrayed as accompanied by musical instruments and hypnotic voices. The Penguin Book of Mermaids mentions that “reductive definitions of mythological Sirens as real-life ‘harlots outstanding in both instrumental music and sweetness of voice’ who ‘reduced passers-by to beggary’ already circulated in Greek and Roman antiquity” (Bacchilega and Brown xii-xiii). This furthers the idea that Sirens have almost always had some form of relationship to the sonic. Sirens connect to sound on both a literary and an instrumental level, intertwining them with their own history as an alternative form of storytelling. The idea of Sirens as sonic storytellers is presented by “a phrase from Clement of Alexandria,” as Franco-Lao states, “Those who were as if dead and did not partake of the true life were revived by the sound of their song” (Franco-Lao 54). This revival illustrates the importance of storytelling, for instance, historical remembrance. The voices and music of the Sirens revive the stories and the lives of those forgotten throughout history. 

The song of the Sirens is more than just a hypnotic sound; it’s also “Music of movement and music to form movement, according to the Platonic concept”(Franco-Lao 43). This musical movement emphasises the idea that a Siren’s voice carries meaning and importance. Historically speaking, the music and voice of a Siren tell the parts of history the world might have forgotten or washed away. Their voices shed light on lost stories and memories because it was originally thought that, “Whoever hears this [Siren] sound acquires memory of past and future and of the underlying truths governing them” (Franco-Lao 40). This connection of Sirens and the sonic emphasizes the idea that water tells a story, and Sirens are used as the voice of water and history.

Each song within the playlist I’ve created relates to some form of history through the eyes of a Siren. The connection between the music and the Siren will be either lyrically or musically, depending on the song. Each song portrays something different and unique, following the flow and growth of our understanding of the Mermaids and Sirens over the course of the semester. This playlist will further examine the notion that the music and sounds of a Siren can tell a historical story that contains memories.

The first song is Mermaid Song by ConcernedApe. The eerie music and hypnotic voice grow louder as the song continues, helping us grasp the original concept of Sirens. This song plays a role in our understanding of how the Siren first started; these scary creatures that use their voice to lure men into the sea.

The next song is Elevenses by Lena Raine. The peaceful nature and alluring aspect of this song strongly connect to the true concept of Sirens. The flute in the song can be seen as a simple reference to the original tale of Sirens and how “they acquired human arms to hold their instruments”(Franco-Lao 1). This song adds to the idea that the Siren’s music doesn’t always have to be eerie. 

The following song in this playlist is Falling Stars by A Shell In The Pit. This instrumental song aids in the communal idea of the ocean. Seeing water as a form of history paves the way for those untold stories to see the light of day. This is possible because of the Sirens who play that music for the world to hear.

Echo of the Past by Jonathan Greer is another song that enlightens our understanding of Sirens and the sonic. This is because of its emotional tone and slow music, the kind of sounds that make someone reminisce. The softness of this song reminds us of the memories hidden beneath the depths of the ocean. This is the kind of memory the Sirens tell through similar songs.

Bellhart by Christopher Larkin is a song that aids in the idea that Sirens and water carry emotion. Holding onto history and memories causes emotions, and this song is perfect for reminding us. Each instrument holds an emotion, like water, and the Sirens use it to tell those emotions.

The next song is La petite fille de la mer – Remastered by Vangelis. This song carries a hypnotic yet peaceful tune that highlights the first concepts of the Siren. Vangelis’ song aids in our learning of the story of Melusine and how she “would return during the night, secretly, to protect her children, and even to nurse the youngest”(Franco-Lao 127). It holds an almost nurturing sound that only a Siren could execute.

The Shadow of Love by Stomu Yamash’ta is a song that brings to light the relationship between love and the Siren. Sirens and Mermaids have been known to be creatures of seduction, using their song as entrapment for young sailors. This song brings to light the emotional and loving aspect of the Siren. Where their song “is the music of the cosmos, ordered and harmonic by definition”(Franco-Lao 40). Yamash’ta’s song emphasizes the loving embrace of the Siren and her song of history and knowledge. 

Another song from the playlist that aids in our understanding of the Siren and the sonic is Before the Night by Joël Fajerman. This song feels like a fairytale, which reminds us that the story of the Siren isn’t meant to be just a fairytale or myth. Their music is meant to tell a story, the stories that have lost their voices over time. Fajerman’s song plays an important role in the true nature of the Siren’s song.

 The next song in the playlist is Lure of the Siren by Mo Coulson and Chris Conway. This song is exactly what it sounds like; it plays the sound of the Siren, her faint whispers as she’s meant to lure you to the sea. But this song shows something greater, the peacefulness of the water as the instruments play. It reiterates the importance of hearing the Siren, listening to what she is trying to tell you about the water and its history.

Oceans Breath is another song that aids in our learning of the Siren. This song is meant to remind us of the ocean’s rawness, the birds, and the sounds of the waves. The eerie start of the song, followed by the peaceful quickness of the jazz-like tune, highlights the importance of not looking solely at the surface. Sirens are only ever given surface definition, but the true meaning lies hidden underneath. This song shows the importance of looking further into the things we are being shown throughout history.

The next song is called The Last of Her Kind by Peter Gundry. This song is crucial to understanding the history that Sirens bring. The tune is dramatic yet whimsical and incredibly embodies the concept of Sirens as storytellers. It’s a peaceful start that slowly turns dramatic and reminds us of the painful aspects of the history that Sirens tells. This song shows us how Sirens take every and all memories of the ocean and use their songs to tell those stories.

THE MILK OF THE SIREN by Melanie Martinez is a song from the playlist that is important based on its lyrical content. Martinez states, “Engraved in our memory the harm that was done. Our mothers, the witches, they banished and burned. All of our sisters were killed and abused by sword-swinging men who would always accuse”(Martinez lines 6-8). This song is important to understand because it accentuates how the Sirens use their songs to expose the parts of history that have been brushed under the carpet. It’s crucial to note that Sirens have always been associated with music; their songs carry painful memories that have been forgotten by the majority.

The last song in this playlist is Frozen Drifts by Upright T-Rex Music. This song is completely peaceful throughout and plays a role in finally understanding Sirens. Once we see the Siren song as educational rather than torturous, we can use the knowledge to spread the stories they tell. 

All things considered, it’s important to see Sirens and the sonic as the voices of the ocean. They tell the stories of lost history washed away and forgotten. The Sirens bring light to those memories, and their songs give voices to those who have been silenced. The songs in this playlist emphasize the work Sirens do with their music. Music carries knowledge, and Sirens oceanize them, paving the way for a deeper understanding of the ocean as a living form of history. These songs reveal the true knowledge of the story of the Siren as sonic storytellers. When we listen to the Siren with an open heart and mind, we are shown stories we never knew had been lost. 

Works Cited

Franco-Lao, Meri. Sirens. 1998.

Bacchilega, Cristina, and Marie Alohalani Brown. The Penguin Book of Mermaids. New York, New York, Penguin Books, 2019.

My Playlist:

‌https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36IJC6BkSjvOto8BKkw2ji?si=mGHUVhXHR36UxGtuN-47WA&pi=vqIoc3EYTRq1b

I hope everyone has an amazing break! I will miss our class time together and all of your insightful takes on Mermaids!! My last semester has been one of the best ever, thanks to you all!!