Origins: Queen Eleanor's Confession (Child #156)

Subject: Tune Add: QUEEN ELEANOR'S CONFESSION
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 11:07 AM

Abby - this is how it is usually sung (in the folk clubs) in the UK (not so commonly heard these days either). You'll see the tune is essentially the same as the Motherwell tune, and despite 'Motherwell notes that "in singing, the last two lines of each stanza are repeated"', I've never heard it sung that way here.

Mick

(spelling modernised)

Queen/ El-ean-or was a/ si-ck w-o-man
And/ sick just li-ke to/ die
And/ she has sent for two/ fri-ars of France
To/ come to her speed-i-ly//


X: 1
T:QUEEN ELEANOR'S CONFESSION
M:C|
L:1/4
K:G
D|G D G D/D/|G/A/ B/c/ d> B|
c d e/d/ c |B2 z A|G F E F/G/|
A F/E/ D> D|G G/G/ A F| G2 Z |]

Subject: RE: 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' (156) tune
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:30 AM

I've been hearing Jay Smith, former owner of The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH, sing it for over 20 years -- the tune he uses is the same as the Tim Hart / Maddy Prior recording (I'm not sure I've heard the MacColl version) and is the only tune I've ever heard connected with it.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' (156) tune
From: MMario
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:21 AM

I can post the bronson one - probably tonight.

Subject: RE: 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' (156) tune
From: John Hindsill
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 09:45 AM

Chad Mitchell Trio, "Reflections", Mercury SR6/MG2 20891 contains a very singable version of the song. As the album is from the mid 1960s, it may be hard to find. Don't know if it is on a CD reissue. Also may have undergone a 'folk process' from the original.

Subject: RE: 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' (156) tune
From: GUEST,DMcG
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 09:31 AM

It's also on Folk Songs of Old England by Tim Hart and Maddy Prior circa 1965! I believe it has been re-issued on CD

Subject: RE: 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' (156) tune
From: Susan of DT
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 09:22 AM

It's also recorded by Hermes Nye on Early English Ballads and by the Exiles on Hale and Hanged, both old vinyl. I don't remember hearing it on any of my new CDs of ballad singers, but I'll check and post again if I find it.

Subject: 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' (156) tune
From: Abby Sale
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 09:13 AM

Would any happen to have a tune for "Queen Eleanor's Confession" (Child #156)? I have it sung by MacColl on Blood and Roses and I think that's the same (and only) tune in Bronson. But it's a weird tune and not all that pleasant. Or even appropriate; although that's really a judgement thing.

It's a very intriguing song one hears about and discusses but never hears sung.

If you can point me to an online example or e-mailable tunefile I'd be most appreciative.

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