18th Century Songs-Point of No Return

Subject: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: GUEST,abigaillesley
Date: 15 Apr 14 - 11:44 PM

Hi Folks,
I love your site so much. Such fantastic information. Many thanks.
I have a song search I'm trying to do and I'd love some suggestions.
I'm looking for an 18th Century (or earlier) song for a performance piece that's rather dark in tone that discusses things like "No turning back", "gone past the point of no return", deceit, secrecy...things like this. The song could be English, Irish, or Scottish, but should be dramatic or dark in tone.
A fantastic song like "Katie Cruel" is great, but not for this moment. But I'd love more songs that feel like Katie Cruel. The song can be also certainly be American - from the Colonial era and up to the Revolution.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks so much in advance for any ideas you guys may have!

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 07:54 AM

The Lyke-Wake Dirge, in that it's about payback in the life to come about what you've done in this one?

Deceit: The Baron o' Brackley

Ending up dead for unspecified reasons but with not even your dog caring: The Twa Corbies

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: GUEST,Abigaillesley
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 09:32 AM

Thank you Jack,
This are really interesting suggestions. I'll look into them now.

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: GUEST,Abigaillesley
Date: 16 Apr 14 - 10:33 PM

I forgot to include another aspect of my search:
The destructive and or transformative fire. Songs about change coming, burning something down without being too specific...

Many thanks again!

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: Lighter
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 08:09 AM

You can't beat "Baron o' Brackley."

"Sir Patrick Spens" can't turn back either.

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 09:56 AM

Fire:
The Burning of Auchindoon
The Fire of Frendraught
The Lyke Wake Dirge again

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 11:17 AM

The Lyke Wake Dirge is such an amazing song! All of these suggestions are great. I haven't been able to find a version of "The Fire Of Frendraught", but I'm searching. Looking forward to any other suggestions. This is so helpful. many thanks jack Campin and Lighter!

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: Brian Peters
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 11:51 AM

Definitely a 'no turning back' song, lavishly dramatic, dark and deceit-laden, and certainly the right period for you, here are my notes and lyrics to The Demon Lover.

Sample here.

If you look at version E under Child 243 you'll see that the demon sinks the ship in a 'flash of fire'.

Another supernatural maritime ballad with a conflagratory end (although the earliest known version appears to be 1805): Flame of Fire

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 12:29 PM

Bonnie Susie Cleland gets burnt at the stake by her brothers at the end.

Subject: RE: 18th Century Songs-Point of No Return
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 14 - 07:36 PM

Thanks, Brian. Great notes on The Demon Lover. I was familiar with "The House Carpenter", but not this version. Thanks!