Kathleen Blackwell-Plank collected the traditional Breton folk tune, The Wren.  The An Dro is a circle or line dance in 4/4 meter.  This arrangement in E minor is the second movement of Blackwell-Plank's collection "Song of the Wren: A Celtic Suite." The feisty little bird, the wren is featured in folk songs from across the Celtic traditions. The suite includes songs from Brittany, Ireland and the Shetland Isles of Scotland.  In this video, the music is accompanied by Blackwell-Plank's watercolor paintings of wrens. 

This lovely Shetland lullaby arranged by Kathleen Blackwell-Plank is unusual because of its 4/4 meter. Many lullabies are in triple meter to suggest rocking or lulling a child to sleep.  This lullaby uses repeated melodic patterns and alternating between the A minor and F chords to create a rocking feeling.  In this video the music is combined with Kathleen's watercolor paintings depicting both male and female wrens raising broods.  The male may build up to three nests and the female chooses the one she thinks is best.  Wren's are primarily insectivores and it may require thousands of caterpillars, spiders, and worms to raise a brood.  Young fledglings are vulnerable when they leave the nest, spending the first days hiding on the ground and building the strength of their wings. Parents continue to shepherd the fledglings, continuing to feed then and then call to follow as their flight skills increase.