penny,

check out sally rogers' work (_the_unclaimed_pint_ is the one i can vouch for, and her albums with claudia schmidt are also pretty wonderful), and the new solo album by cathie ryan (self-titled). both have beautiful folksy pieces sung by my two favorite contraltos. they also both have a not-so-subtle country flavor to them, so if that turns you off you should focus on the following tracks:

Rogers: When I was a Fair Maid, Jubilee, The Touch of the Master's Hand; Ryan: Ned of the Hill, You and I in the One Bed Lie, White Dress, Sheain Bhain. Also, though it's not exactly joyful, The 12th of July is a song of hope and peace... a nice foil for those of star-crossed love.