"Where the Wild Roses Grow" and "Long Langkin" are a good start. Both are Scottish. For Irish, I know "Child Owlet."
"Me and My Uncle" is an American murder ballad that I believe dates much later, but can trace its roots back a few generations lyrically, at least in theory.
"Where the Wild Roses Grow" and "Long Langkin" are a good start. Both are Scottish. For Irish, I know "Child Owlet."
"Me and My Uncle" is an American murder ballad that I believe dates much later, but can trace its roots back a few generations lyrically, at least in theory.
Interesting, never thought about ballads being the tabloids of their day.
Your column reminded me of a book about Scots Irish folk ballads about emigrating to colonial Virginia, the subject of “Why We Left” by Joanna Brooks (2014).
Her notion was that these largely illiterate peasants left no tangible archival history excerpt that which can be inferred from the words of folk songs passed down.
Brooks wrote that the songs indicated those who indentured themselves very often fancied that they would obtain some visible sign of wealth to wear or bring loved ones, in particular a beaver hat, which was the Rolex or Chanel of 17th century England.
Or could afford a hat after they tricked someone else into boarding a ship. The songs tended to be dark with lots of betrayal and disillusionment.
"Where the Wild Roses Grow" and "Long Langkin" are a good start. Both are Scottish. For Irish, I know "Child Owlet."
"Me and My Uncle" is an American murder ballad that I believe dates much later, but can trace its roots back a few generations lyrically, at least in theory.
Interesting, never thought about ballads being the tabloids of their day.
Your column reminded me of a book about Scots Irish folk ballads about emigrating to colonial Virginia, the subject of “Why We Left” by Joanna Brooks (2014).
Her notion was that these largely illiterate peasants left no tangible archival history excerpt that which can be inferred from the words of folk songs passed down.
Brooks wrote that the songs indicated those who indentured themselves very often fancied that they would obtain some visible sign of wealth to wear or bring loved ones, in particular a beaver hat, which was the Rolex or Chanel of 17th century England.
Or could afford a hat after they tricked someone else into boarding a ship. The songs tended to be dark with lots of betrayal and disillusionment.