Edward (ballad)
Encyclopedia
Edward is a traditional murder ballad
existing in several variants. In English its versions were collected by Francis James Child
as Child ballad number 13.
" (Child 49) and "Lizie Wan
" (Child 51).
D 320, and it is known in Danish (DgF
340), Icelandic (IFkv 76), Norwegian, and Swedish (SMB
153).
In the Scandinavian versions, the stress is more on the gradual divulgence of the fact that the son will never return home to his mother.
traditional singer Paddy Tunney
is on his Folk-Legacy CD The Man of Songs. He called it "What put the Blood on Your Right Shoulder, Son?"
Ellen Connors of County Wexford
called it "What Brought the Blood".
The versions collected from traveller John ("Jacko") Reilly in the 1960s in Boyle
, County Roscommon became very popular in Ireland, as they were recorded by folk singers of the day. There are recordings by Christy Moore
, The Johnstons
, Karan Casey
, Al O'Donnell and others.
Murder ballad
Murder ballads are a sub-genre of the traditional ballad form, the lyrics of which form a narrative describing the events of a murder, often including the lead-up and/or aftermath...
existing in several variants. In English its versions were collected by Francis James Child
Francis James Child
Francis James Child was an American scholar, educator, and folklorist, best known today for his collection of folk songs known as the Child Ballads. Child was Boylston professor of rhetoric and oratory at Harvard University, where he produced influential editions of English poetry...
as Child ballad number 13.
Synopsis
A mother questions her son about the blood on his sword. He puts her off with claims that it is his hawk, his horse, in some combination, but finally admits that it is his brother, or his father, whom he has killed. He declares that he is leaving and will never return, and various creatures (wife, children, livestock) will have to fare without him. His mother then asks what she will get from his departure. He answers "a curse from hell" and implicates his mother in the murder.Parallels
This ballad may not be complete in itself. Large portions of the ballad are also found in the longer ballads "The Twa BrothersThe Twa Brothers
"The Twa Brothers" is Child ballad 49, existing in many variants.-Synopsis:Two brothers are wrestling when a blade that one of them is carrying mortally wounds the other; occasionally, one of them stabs the other intentionally....
" (Child 49) and "Lizie Wan
Lizie Wan
-Synopsis:The heroine—Lizie, Rosie, Lucy—is pregnant with her brother's child. Her brother murders her. He tries to pass off the blood as some animal he had killed—his greyhound, his falcon, his horse—but in the end must admit that he murdered her...
" (Child 51).
Parallels in other languages
This ballad type also was found in Northern Europe, where it is often known under "Svend i Rosensgård" or a similar name. Its general Scandinavian classification is TSBThe Types of the Scandinavian Medieval Ballad
The Types of the Scandinavian Medieval Ballad classifies all "types" of traditional ballader known in one of more of the Scandinavian languages .In its turn, the list of types is divided into six groups , as infra...
D 320, and it is known in Danish (DgF
Danmarks gamle Folkeviser
Danmarks gamle Folkeviser is a collection of all known texts and recordings of the old Danish popular ballads.It was started in 1853 by Svend Grundtvig...
340), Icelandic (IFkv 76), Norwegian, and Swedish (SMB
Sveriges Medeltida Ballader
Sveriges Medeltida Ballader is an edition of 'all' Swedish medieval ballads, produced by Svenskt Visarkiv....
153).
In the Scandinavian versions, the stress is more on the gradual divulgence of the fact that the son will never return home to his mother.
Irish versions
Versions collected orally in Ireland are usually named "What Put the Blood" or similar. The version sung by County FermanaghCounty Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
traditional singer Paddy Tunney
Paddy Tunney
Paddy Tunney was an Irish traditional singer, poet, writer, raconteur, lilter and songwriter. He was affectionately known as the Man of Songs.-Early life:...
is on his Folk-Legacy CD The Man of Songs. He called it "What put the Blood on Your Right Shoulder, Son?"
Ellen Connors of County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
called it "What Brought the Blood".
The versions collected from traveller John ("Jacko") Reilly in the 1960s in Boyle
Boyle, County Roscommon
Boyle is a town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located at the foot of the Curlew Mountains near Lough Key in the north of the county. Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, the Drumanone Dolmen and the popular fishing lakes of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara are also close by...
, County Roscommon became very popular in Ireland, as they were recorded by folk singers of the day. There are recordings by Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
, The Johnstons
The Johnstons
The Johnstons were an Irish close-harmony folk band, originally founded in Slane, County Meath, Ireland, consisting of Adrienne, Lucy and Michael Johnston. They began performing in the early 1960s in Slane....
, Karan Casey
Karan Casey
Karan Casey is an Irish folk singer, and a former member of the Irish band Solas.-Early years:Casey was born in Ballyduff Lower, Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Ireland. Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she...
, Al O'Donnell and others.
Percy's "Edward"
The authenticity of one popular version of this ballad (Child 13B) has been called into question. This version originally appeared in print in Bishop Percy's 1765 edition of Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. Percy reported that he received this Scottish ballad from Sir David Dalrymple, who said he heard it from an unnamed lady. This version appears inauthentic because it seems, in short, too "good": it makes exceptional use of literary devices for maximum impact. Moreover, unlike most other versions, the father is the victim rather than the brother, and the mother receives a curse at the end. There is also little evidence that this version was disseminated orally; it seems to have appeared most often in print form.Adaptations
- Johannes BrahmsJohannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
used the Percy's version of "Edward" twice in his ballades, in opus 10Ballades, Op. 10 (Brahms)The Ballades, Op. 10, constituted some of the finest examples of lyrical piano music written by Johannes Brahms during his youth. They were dated 1854 and dedicated to his friend Julius Otto Grimm...
and opus 75. - Nic JonesNic JonesNicolas Paul "Nic" Jones is an English folk singer, fingerstyle guitarist and fiddle player whose professional career spanned the years 1964-1982. He recorded five solo albums, and was a frequent guest performer.-Biography:...
recorded a version of Edward on his 1971 album Nic JonesNic Jones (album)-Track listing:#"The Lass Of London City" 2:08#"Napoleon's Lamentation" 2:53#"The Bonny Bunch Of Roses" 6:05#"Edward" 3:29#"The Outlandish Knight" 3:35#"William And Nancy's Parting" 1:31#"Lord Bateman" 4:11#"Dance To Your Daddy" 2:17#"The Two Brothers" 3:52...
. - Steeleye SpanSteeleye SpanSteeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
recorded a version of "Edward", arranged in a 'question and answer' format by Bob Johnson on the 1986 album Back in LineBack in LineBack in Line is an album by the electric folk band Steeleye Span.This album, the band's 12th, was released in 1986, after a hiatus of almost 6 years. It was their first album without founding member Tim Hart, who quit the music business entirely...
. - Amps for ChristAmps for ChristAmps For Christ is the current music project of Man is the Bastard and Bastard Noise veteran and metal/noise pioneer Henry Barnes. The project is based out of Claremont, California.-Concept:...
recorded a version on their 1999 album 'Circuits' - James YorkstonJames Yorkston-Music career:A native of Fife, James Yorkston was an integral early member of the Fence Collective whose reach across contemporary music continues to lengthen: King Creosote, The Aliens, KT Tunstall, The Beta Band...
recorded a version on his 2004 album Just Beyond the RiverJust Beyond the RiverJust Beyond the River is an album by James Yorkston and the Athletes.Released in October 2004, Just Beyond the River is the second studio album by James Yorkston and the Athletes. The album was released on 12" vinyl and on CD, initial copies of the CD came with a 3-track CD of folk standards and...
. - Sam AmidonSam AmidonSam Amidon is an American independent folk artist born in Brattleboro, Vermont, June 3, 1981. His parents are folk artists Peter and Mary Alice Amidon. His younger brother, Stefan Amidon, is a professional drummer who performs with The Sweetback Sisters among other groups. Sam attended The Putney...
recorded a version on his 2010 album I See the Sign. - OysterbandOysterbandOysterband is a British electric folk or folk rock band formed in Canterbury in or around 1976.-Early history:...
recorded a version called "Son David" on Ragged Kingdom, their 2011 collaboration with June TaborJune TaborJune Tabor is an English folk singer.- Early years :June Tabor was inspired to sing by hearing Anne Briggs' EP Hazards of Love in 1965. "I went and locked myself in the bathroom for a fortnight and drove my mother mad. I learned the songs on that EP note for note, twiddle for twiddle. That's how I...
.