A haunting Irish folk ballad has been reborn with a powerful new voice and a stark social message.
British Asian singer-songwriter Satnam Galsian has reworked the traditional song She Moved Through the Fair, retelling the story from the perspective of its silent female protagonist to shine a light on honour-based abuse.
Her new single, Dishonour, is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp, with the official release set for 8 March to mark International Women’s Day. All proceeds from sales between 6 February and 6 April 2026 will be donated to Leeds-based charity Karma Nirvana, which works nationally to end honour-based abuse.
In the original folk song, the female character reassures her lover that her family will not object to their relationship only for her to later appear as a ghost, suggesting her death. For Satnam, the unanswered questions in that narrative became the catalyst for something deeper.
“When I first encountered the original song, I found myself wondering how the woman ended up dead after reassuring her love that her parents would not slight him,” she said. “Relationships disapproved of by families can be a trigger for honour-based abuse, when someone is believed to have brought shame or dishonour to themselves, their family or community.”
Dishonour strips the arrangement back to an acoustic setting, recorded with Mac Volpe following strong audience reactions at live performances. The track has been mixed and mastered by Phil Snell.
Satnam has built a growing reputation for blending Punjabi folk traditions with contemporary feminist storytelling, carving out a distinctive space within the UK’s folk scene. Her work frequently explores themes of identity, gender and cultural expectation.
She was recently named among Leeds’ most influential South Asian figures by Asian Standard, with judges praising her music and advocacy for challenging “preconceived notions about culture, gender and artistic possibility”.
Karma Nirvana supports victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage across the UK, providing helplines and specialist advocacy.
“For me, this song is about giving a voice to the woman whose story was never told,” Satnam added. “If it can help even one person feel seen, heard or supported, then it’s worth it.”
In turning a centuries-old ballad into a modern call for awareness, Satnam is using music not just to entertain, but to confront uncomfortable truths and spark change.
You can support the cause, by donating or buying the single here
