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'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links

19 Apr 12 - 11:14 AM (#3340412)
Subject: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman

Hey all, this week at Murder Ballad Monday we take on Child 13, the mysterious "Edward", "What Put the Blood", etc. (Here's our Facebook Page! )

Introduction - A first look at the song, as well as links several American and Irish version including ones from Jean Ritchie, Almeda Riddle, Sam Amidon, Al O'Donnell, Paddy Tunney, Karan Casey and more!

It's all about a little holly bush... - In this post, we go in search of the elusive murder motive in "Edward", and tangle with the scholarship surrounding the dominant theory. An English version from Frank Hinchliffe and the famous Scots version from Jeannie Robertson allow us to see alternatives.

Why dois your brand sae drip wi bluid? - The Old Blind Dogs version of "Edward" kicks us in to a consideration of the issues surrounding Percy's version from the Reliques, and we close with a bit of good (and only slightly inappropriate) fun!


19 Apr 12 - 02:41 PM (#3340533)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman

Forgot to mention, Cordelia's Dad and Steeleye Span in the second post as well...


19 Apr 12 - 02:59 PM (#3340543)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: The Sandman

Dick Mileshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJhyDS_jd3I


19 Apr 12 - 06:20 PM (#3340601)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: pavane

See the last item on this page

http://www.chappuzeau.net/woad.htm

Inspired by Nic Jones, of course


19 Apr 12 - 07:15 PM (#3340622)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST

@GS Schweik Thanks! I actually had that one linked in my second post, mixed in with the Jeannie Robertson stuff, I just didn't embed it. It adds a few verses that were particularly enlightening given the point I was trying to make.

@Pavane Thanks to you too... Enjoyable! Will you put it on YouTube? I'd love to add it to my "Edward" Youtube playlist.


21 Apr 12 - 08:40 AM (#3341247)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman

Turns out I had one more personal reflection in me for the week, addressing a topic that seems to come up as much here as anywhere else...

An inherent instability in meaning...


21 Apr 12 - 01:41 PM (#3341364)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,leeneia

I checked in the Scots Glossary (under Quick Links, above), and I think the word 'what' in 'What Put the Blood?' is actually 'wha' or 'whae', which is Scots for 'who.'


21 Apr 12 - 10:42 PM (#3341505)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman

Interesting Leeneia. Some versions are definitely called "Who Put the Blood", and others "What..." Here's what I found on Spotify so far...

Child 13 "Edward" Spotify Playlist


21 Apr 12 - 11:09 PM (#3341517)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,leeneia

Oh, yes. I'm sure it occurs both ways, and they both make sense.


22 Apr 12 - 07:39 AM (#3341597)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,kenny

Fine version recorded last year by Dundee singer Barbara Dymock, on her CD "Hilbert's Hotel". The CD is available through her website, the single track is available on iTunes.


22 Apr 12 - 06:15 PM (#3341873)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST

Kenny, thanks! It was on Spotify but never came up in a search for some reason... just added it! Very interesting. Trying now to place it within the other versions I found.


23 Apr 12 - 05:41 AM (#3342024)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,kenny

You're welcome. I also seem to remember that Christy Moore recorded a version on his LP "Whatever Tickles Your Fancy".


23 Apr 12 - 05:49 AM (#3342027)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: Jim Carroll

Probably the most popular ballad among Irish Travellers, first recorded from them by the BBC in Belfast in the early 50s (Mary Doran).
Beautiful English version recorded from Sheffield singer Frank Hinchliff and included on his album.
Irish Traveller 'Pop's' Johnny Connors, originally from Wexford, gave it to us as 'The Ballad of Cain and Abel' and equated it (at length) with the biblical story.
Jim Carroll


23 Apr 12 - 12:26 PM (#3342143)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman

Kenny and Jim-

Thanks! I tried to find the Christy Moore version on Spotify, but failed... will check again. The Frank Hinchliffe version I included in the 'holly bush' post linked in the first message of the thread, and I do find it most lovely. In his version it's the killing of three birds that causes the fight. I'll look for the 'Cain and Abel' version too, as it clearly fits a point I made (well, actually that David Atkinson made) in that post. It would be awesome to find that!


23 Apr 12 - 12:40 PM (#3342152)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: Jim Carroll

Pat
You won't find the Cain and Abel version - it was never released publicly.
It is the standard Irish text; what is interesting is the interview that goes with it.
Our collection of field recordings is in The British Library in London and also in several archives in Dublin.
Otherwise, I would be happy to send you a recording of it, but I will need an address
Best,
Jim Carroll


24 Apr 12 - 09:44 AM (#3342522)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: GUEST,Pat Blackman

Jim, thanks for the offer! I would love to access that recording if it's possible and not a big hassle. Can you email me at particoromulus@gmail.com so we can exchange info? Thanks.

-Pat


24 Apr 12 - 05:03 PM (#3342766)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: pavane

Chashah, the fiddle player on my recording, had only heard the tune for the first time on the day we did the recording. A few months later, she joined a British charity in Afghanistan, where she still works.


24 Apr 12 - 05:21 PM (#3342783)
Subject: RE: 'Edward'/'What Put the Blood' links
From: pavane

Chashah on Facebook