The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #104366 Message #2142047
Posted By: Malcolm Douglas
05-Sep-07 - 10:03 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Fair Ellen of Radcliffe
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fair Ellen Of Ratcliffe
Another long-out-of-copyright British book that Google has taken it upon itself to make freely available to the Great American Public, while deliberately witholding access from those of us living in the country to which the book belongs (literally: the digitised copy is made from a copy belonging to Oxford University).
Whether this is the result of presumptuous arrogance, ignorance, stupidity or mere laziness on the part of whoever handles 'google books' I don't pretend to know; but it is an unacceptable, though typical, example of American cultural imperialism.
In fact, Harland merely transcribes the standard broadside text; several examples of which can be seen at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads; which, fortunately, does not subscribe to google's racist policies and makes its material freely available to all.
[The] lady Isabella's tragedy, or, the Step mothers cruelty
Several years ago, I provided a midi file to go with the DT entry. This may or may not approximate to the tune (or one of the tunes) to which the broadside ballad was intended to be sung. I now have access to better sources, and will see if I can add a more appropriate tune as soon as I have time; and when I have got over seething with anger at google's hypocricy and presumption.
Meanwhile, I can add that this is number 3853 in the Roud Folk Song Index; and that there are only three examples listed from tradition. The most recent is a recording made by Helen Hartness Flanders in 1942, from Lily Delorme of Cadyville, New York. There is also a Scottish text (without tune) in Andrew Crawfurd's collection, and a single verse (with tune) in a MS songbook owned by the National Library of Ireland.