Track Number 20
YOUNG REDIN
Mary Humphreys and Anahata
This is a reconstruction of a traditional ballad found in England, Scotland and the USA. I compiled the lyrics using F J Child's ballad collection and composed the tune myself, using as a model a version found in the Appalachians by Cecil Sharp in the early 1900s.
The song details an incident of trial by fire, which was a mediaeval means of testing for guilt. It also has some events based on mediaeval superstition - such as the murdered corpse spurting forth blood when the murderer approaches.
The whole story turns on a bad joke made by Young Redin ( some versions call him Young Hunting)where he tells his mistress that he will not spend the night with her because there is another lady waiting down the road for him who is much more attractive!
Then he goes and eats the dinner she has cooked for him & drinks the wine she has poured for him.
I think he deserves everything that happens later!