Margaret Christl

Margaret Christl was born in Scotland, the daughter of a coal miner, and grew up in a landscape shaped by hardship, music, and community. From an early age her voice was recognized as something special — clear, powerful, and deeply expressive — and singing soon became both her refuge and her way of storytelling. In 1966 she emigrated to Canada, carrying with her the songs and spirit of her homeland. Over the following decades she became one of the most respected voices in Canadian folk music, known for the honesty of her interpretations and the emotional connection she forged with audiences wherever she performed.

Her music carries the strength of her Scottish roots and the tenderness of a life lived across continents. Margaret’s repertoire moves easily between traditional ballads, working-class anthems, and her own original compositions. Whether performing centuries-old songs or pieces she has written herself, she gives them the same depth and conviction. Her voice can bring tears, laughter, or quiet reflection — songs that celebrate endurance, memory, and the shared humanity that binds people together.

Margaret has sung at virtually every major folk festival in Canada and the United States, from small clubs to vast outdoor stages. She has stood alone under a single spotlight at Toronto’s Massey Hall and performed to record crowds at the Canada Pavilion during the World’s Fair in Brisbane, Australia. She has sung the national anthems of Canada, Scotland, and Ireland at public events, performed at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, and often appeared alongside the late Peter Gzowski. Everywhere she goes, she brings a rare warmth and sincerity that instantly disarms her audience.

Over the years Margaret has recorded a series of albums that trace her personal and musical journey. Her 1970s collaboration The Barley Grain for Me with Ian Robb and Grit Laskin on Folk-Legacy Records remains a landmark of traditional music in Canada. Later works such as Looking Towards Home, The Picture in My Mind, and House of Song blend traditional material with original songs of striking intimacy. The title track from The Picture in My Mind reflects her search for the mother she lost at age three — a story that came full circle when a photograph sent by a fan inspired her to travel to England and reunite with her family. Critics hailed the song as one of her most moving achievements, a testament to how art can heal and connect across time and distance.

Throughout her career Margaret has worked closely with her husband, musician and arranger Michael Johnston, whose guitar accompaniments and deep knowledge of Scottish dance tunes complement her singing beautifully. Together they have shared stages across North America, Australia, and beyond. She has also collaborated with musicians including Loretto Reid, Brian Taheny, and their son Simon Christl, whose presence on House of Song symbolized the continuity of music across generations.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 1998 she received the Canadian Porcupine Award, and in 2007 she was inducted into the Porcupine Awards Hall of Fame, receiving the Golden Porcupine for Lifetime Achievement. Critics have described her as “a big, strong, mature voice with the kind of edge possessed by Scotland’s best singers” and “an artist so exceptional you feel a sadness that not everyone could have been there.” These tributes reflect not only her vocal mastery but also the grace and humanity she brings to every performance.

Margaret’s life is inseparable from her art — a story of perseverance, discovery, and belonging. From the coal villages of Scotland to the folk festivals of North America, she has carried the torch of traditional song with clarity and heart. Her music remains a bridge between old and new worlds, between the stories we inherit and the ones we create. Even after decades on stage, her voice still sounds like home — rich with history, courage, and the enduring beauty of a life sung truthfully.
-Robert Williston