RED ROBBER ^^^
(Bob Coltman)

Little Mayro was a-walking
In Silver's wood one day,
Not a-thinking no harm.
When up stepped Red Robber
and he took Little Mayro in his arms.

   Little Mayro, don't you cry   
       for me (2)

Oh spare me, Red Robber,
Oh spare me and my child,
I need not be your wife.
But he took no pity on little Mayro,
He stabbed her with his knife.

She leaped and she staggered.
She weeped and she cried,
She run and she fell down.
Her poor sides broken open
And her little babe was found.

Red Robber took that little boy
And he give him to nurses nine
For to raise up as his son.
I'll teach him to be a red robber
And do like his daddy done.

Daddy, oh Daddy,
Let's sit us down and rest,
For this robbing day is long.
There's something I've always wanted to ask,
For you know I am your son.

Whatever you like, Red Robber said,
Just go ahead and ask,
I'll answer anything.
Well, how come all the other little boys have mamas
And only I've got none?

I'm sorry you asked, Red Robber said,
Sorry as I can be,
But I said I'd tell you all.
You see that place where grass won't grow?
That's where I killed your ma.

The boy he bent a man's big bow
And an arrow straight and long,
And he shot Red Robber through.
I think that place where grass won't grow
Is far too good for you.

Oh fare thee, little baby,
Oh fare thee, sweet child,
Oh fare thee anyhow.
I never regretted what I've done
One-half so much as now.

Jellon Grame, No. 90
    Jellon Grame is kind of a monster of the greenwood, a bad Robin Hood, more like what a regulation outlaw should be. I've modeled this on Child's first version; in the other ones May Margerie or May-a-roe has two lovers, which complicates the plot a great deal. In some of the versions there is definitely witchery working: the boy grows up with unnatural speed and learns much too readily for any ordinary sort of child, as if Mama had somehow passed on a curse. But the magic is too low-lying and old and cryptic to be seen clearly.
    There are pieces of many ballads in this, a sign that it was composed late, probably in the early part of the 19th century when people were all hot and excited about ancient relics and antiquities, and songwriters cast about amongst the old dusty bits of ballads to please them. It was a fairly steady ballad market, the customers being largely prosperous folk and particularly gentle young ladies with spinets. As the French say, the more everything changes the more it is the same.

Child #90
filename[ JELGRAE2
SOF
Feb07


Son of Child CD Track 3