The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #26174   Message #1342598
Posted By: Uncle_DaveO
29-Nov-04 - 07:20 PM
Thread Name: favorite stories in folk songs?
Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs?
Jellon Graeme!

For those who don't know, an offhand synopsis: Jellon Graeme (even though his name's not Willie) murders his lover who is pregnant. He tears the babe from her womb, buries her body, and raises the child, whom he names after Robin Hood.

All through his childhood, little Robin asks where's his mother, why doesn't he have a mother to pick him up after school like the other kids. Jellon avoids the subject.

Taking young Robin (now a teenager) out hunting with him, he comes to the Silver Wood, where mama lies in her grave. Robin, having made his usual "Where's mama" speech, says something to the effect of, "What's that mound over there under the tree?"

Jellon Graeme tells him of how he killed mama and buried the body, "but remember, lad, I saved YOU and raised you!" Robin takes out his bow and arrow and with a well-placed shot shoots ole dad, and promises that he won't bury Jellon Graeme's body, but will leave it to the scavengers right there, because dad doesn't deserve to be buried where mama is buried.

Hard to better that one for sex and filial love and revenge and gore!

Dave Oesterreich