The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #163826 Message #3916800
Posted By: Richie
12-Apr-18 - 09:05 AM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 2
Subject: RE: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 2
Hi,
According to Barry (British Ballads from Maine, 1929): "The ballad seems to be an early arrival in America, as evidenced from its wide dispersion from purely English sources."
Two early versions of Child F (False Knight Outwitted) with the "nettles" stanza are given by Barry from Mass. and Maine which makes me wonder if the 1710? date is accurate.
The "pretty Polly" versions are all English source versions derived ultimately from the two broadsides and their unknown antecedents-- such as the supposed black-letter possessed by EMUN in 1851.