Let's talk about murder ballads.

24 Apr 07 - 05:46 PM (#2034768)
Subject: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Next semester, I'll be starting research on my Master's thesis, which is going to be about murder ballads, including their history, and my experiences singing them for a modern audience.

This is where I'd value your input. I'm thinking of putting together a short survey, either sometime this summer or in the fall, just to ask other performers & music people about their experiences with murder ballads. If any of you are interested, please send me a PM.

Many, many thanks. :-)

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24 Apr 07 - 06:30 PM (#2034795)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

Kim, I sent you a PM. Bob

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24 Apr 07 - 06:31 PM (#2034797)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Susan of DT

Laws categorized broadsides/ballads. His category F are murder ballads, with 37 songs. So if you search the digital tradition for "Laws F1" you will bet at least one version of the song. Continue to "Laws F37"

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24 Apr 07 - 07:19 PM (#2034838)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Jim

Hi Kim C,
   What is a PM? Would you like audience reaction? I have had some negative reaction I'd like to share with you.

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24 Apr 07 - 07:26 PM (#2034843)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Q

A PM is a message left on the personal page. It's a members only thing, so you must join Mudcat.
(it will take you not much more than five minutes)

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24 Apr 07 - 08:00 PM (#2034866)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Jim P

There was a local (SF Bay Area) college station that had a folk program many years ago. On what I believe was the student host's last broadcast, he prepared an extensive (I think three hour) broadcast exclusively devoted to murder ballads. I obtained tapes, and have listened to them often.

HOWEVER, I've lost one of the tapes. Does this sound familiar to anyone here? I'd dearly love to replace the portion of the broadcast that I'm missing.

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24 Apr 07 - 08:19 PM (#2034877)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,petr

you might want to look into those Mexican gangster ballads
which are highly popular - Narco corridos
I think there have been attempts to ban them.

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24 Apr 07 - 08:30 PM (#2034885)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Susan of DT

There are also loads of murders in the Child ballads, mostly of family members or lovers. I can give you a list, if you like.

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25 Apr 07 - 03:14 AM (#2035085)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Wilfried Schaum

A fine German murder ballad is Apfelböck oder die Lilien auf dem Felde by Bertolt Brecht.

Char code: Western.ISO-8859-1

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25 Apr 07 - 05:00 AM (#2035122)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: masato sakurai

There are some related threads:

DTStudy Murder Ballads with bloody noses

contemporary murder ballads

Tune Req: Murder Ballads or Songs?

Lyr Req: appalachian murder ballads

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25 Apr 07 - 06:57 AM (#2035178)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: pirandello

I've seen more than a few ballads murdered!

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25 Apr 07 - 10:10 AM (#2035300)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Thanks y'all. I don't officially start research till the fall but since I'm not taking any classes over the summer I want to try to get a head start. I appreciate all your suggestions.

I lucked into a whole set of the Child Ballads reprints, so I'll definitely be poring over those! :-)

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25 Apr 07 - 10:41 AM (#2035331)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Vixen

Neat idea for a research project...

Are you looking at ballads of American origin? or from the entire English-language repertoire? Or a pan-linguistic study? I guess that's an indirect way of asking "What field of study is the thesis for?"

For a contemporary American murder ballad check out Dave Carter's and Tracy Grammer's "Cat-Eye Willie Comes to Claim his Lover".

Now you've got me thinking about how to classify murder ballads--by where they take place (on the mountain, on the banks of the Ohio), by victim (wife, lover, sister), by perpetrator (why does Lord Arlen spring to mind?), by method (knife, strangulation, gunshot), by motive (wronged lover, mistaken identity, revenge)...

what fun!!!

V

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25 Apr 07 - 11:02 AM (#2035360)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Vixen, I'm probably going to concentrate mostly on English-language ballads, but would like to include a few from other traditions as a point of comparison to illustrate the popularity of these kinds of songs.

It's for a Master's in literature. :-)

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25 Apr 07 - 12:26 PM (#2035446)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,HiLo

Hi; I would say your topic is far too broad. Also,research implies a question. Perhaps you should pare things down to the doable by asking a question you would like to answer, such as "How often are the ballads based on truth. Ot "what perventage of the victims are women"..etc.
One of the commonest mistakes made by students doing research is to choose a topic that is huge. Listen to loads of ballads, look for common themes or areas that interest you, then research that aspect. I think you will find the job more manageable that way. Anyway, just a suggestion based on much experience doing research.

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25 Apr 07 - 12:58 PM (#2035490)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: The Unicorn Man

When I was young (ger) I used to feel sorry for poor old John Barleycorn. There were so many stories about him dieing, being killed by planing gangs, but now I am older and wiser I can understand why he had to die. And may it long continue.

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25 Apr 07 - 02:14 PM (#2035570)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Thanks HiLo ---- it's really not as broad as it seems. It's going to be a combination of scholarly and creative writing. The preliminary question is, what is it about murder ballads that makes them so compelling?

Of course, that may turn into something else once I start working on it. ;-)

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25 Apr 07 - 02:34 PM (#2035587)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Diva

Wonderful topic for a thesis,get youself a copy of Hodgart and you can't go wrong

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25 Apr 07 - 02:51 PM (#2035615)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

Kim ... You asked "what is so compelling about these songs?" Why, it's simply that these songs are to die for! (O.K. I'll get my coat and sneak out the backdoor ... again)! Bob

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25 Apr 07 - 03:41 PM (#2035676)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Bob, I'll be sure to quote you on that one. ;-)

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25 Apr 07 - 04:15 PM (#2035706)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Phil Cooper

I think because of the "life and death" setting of these songs, that other themes are brought out in a more dramatic way. You could claim that the ballad Earl O'Bran deals with the issue that a woman leaves her family to follow her lover. That's something you could say ordinarily happens when someone decides to get married. However in the ballad, fair Margaret runs off (elopes perhaps) with Lord William. She stands and watches while he kills her seven brothers, and only objects when he kills her father. But ultimately goes off with him. Of course she dies that night, too. A sort of ketchup crucifix version.

In the song Omie Wise, the coldness of John Lewis hugging and kissing Omie, to set her mind at ease, and then pushing her in the river really hits home the point that one should be more careful of one's companions.

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25 Apr 07 - 07:44 PM (#2035887)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: masato sakurai

Search for: "murder" at The Traditional Ballad Index, and you'll find "425 documents."

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25 Apr 07 - 10:23 PM (#2035969)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Gargoyle, do you mean my e-mail address?

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25 Apr 07 - 10:24 PM (#2035971)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

Kim ... I'm PMing you now. Bob

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26 Apr 07 - 01:12 AM (#2036015)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,GUEST, Len B, Downey, CA

If you can find it, a very useful source would be "American Murder Ballads and Their Stories", by Olive Woolley Burt (Oxford University Press, NY, 1958), Library of Congress Catalog No. 58-5382.

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26 Apr 07 - 02:38 AM (#2036044)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST

I once heard A L Lloyd introduce the 'goodnight' ballad (gallows valediction) 'The Robber', a.k.a. as 'Tedburn Hill', as follows:
Goodnight ballads were written by hack ballad-makers and sold at public hangings, sometimes with part of the proceedings going to the hanged man's family. They were called 'Goodnight ballads' in reference to the practice of the onlookers at the hanging calling 'goodnight' as the rope went taut around the hanged man's neck.
The explanation was said to come from Daniel Defoe, though I have never been able to find the reference.
Jim Carroll

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26 Apr 07 - 11:18 AM (#2036301)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Guest Len --- I have that book! I had to search far and wide to find it, though. :-)

Another one my professor recommended, that is a little easier to get, is "Poor Pearl, Poor Girl," about the late 19th century murder of Pearl Bryan. There's a bit about her in Wooley's book as well.

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26 Apr 07 - 05:08 PM (#2036602)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Lyle

GUEST Jim P:

The name of the program was "Steve Gardners Topsoil" broadcast May 12 1996 from 4-6 pm and later sent out to anyone who requested it on two tapes.

Kim C:

The comments on the above tapes were generally very good, and as near as possible, the songs were sung by the people who were around at the time of the murder.

I have the introductions by Steve Gardner and the titles of the songs as well as the singers if they would be a help to you. Or if you want, I can copy it to this forum although it is a bit long.

Lyle

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26 Apr 07 - 05:39 PM (#2036626)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,forestabri

"Down in the Willow Garden" and "Two Sisters" are two that are also very nice tunes. I was in an old-time and folk group and we found this to be a common subject. Many seem to warnings to young girls about pre-marital sex. "Two Sisters" is about jealousy. A sister gets a ring from a man they both love, so her sister pushes her in the river. A miller finds the corpse and makes a fiddle from her bones and a bow from her hair. And the only song that fiddle would play was "Oh the Wind and Rain". Amazing song.

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26 Apr 07 - 06:57 PM (#2036664)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,JimP

Lyle:

That's it exactly. Gardner used to have a page up with the text of his comments, but a quick google fails to turn it up. I recall that the commentary was very good, and if you have the text it would probably be a useful addition to this thread (not to mention a nifty way to archive it somewhere those with an interest would be likely to find it).

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27 Apr 07 - 10:29 AM (#2037143)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST

GUEST JimP:

I'm a little hesitant to post the narrative written by Steve Gardner for a couple reasons: (1) I don't have his permission, and (2) because this forum has turned into a situation where "no good deed goes without an asinine reply." Evidence of the latter is the post of 26 Apr 07 - 10:04 PM. That's why I am no longer a member, although I started with this long before it became Mudcat.

Maybe if someone like Max or Joe Offer or Dick G would like me to send the narrative to them, and have them OK it first it could be made available to everyone.

Lyle - (returning to read-not-write mode)

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27 Apr 07 - 12:34 PM (#2037234)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,JimP

Lyle:

Fair enough. Come to think of it, though, I'm kind of surprised that Steve Gardner isn't a mudcat member. Surely there are people here that know him and could get him to post the text himself.


Anybody?

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29 Apr 07 - 10:09 AM (#2038656)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Gargoyle,

Please stay off my thread as this was intended as a sincere request for participation in a scholarly study that means a great deal to me. If you have something of worth to contribute, great. If all you're going to do is snipe, then go do it somewhere else, please and thank you. In the meantime, I wish all the blessings of the earth and sky upon you.

Oh, and by the way, I have a BA, not a BS.

Sincerely,

Kim


Now. Where were we? I'll see what I can dig up on Steve Gardner -- thanks for the tip.

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29 Apr 07 - 10:35 AM (#2038673)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

I also recommend the book "American Murder Ballads" by Olive Wooley Burt, The Citadel Press, 1964. It's worth searching for. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

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30 Apr 07 - 09:47 AM (#2039403)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Blessings be upon you, Guest Many Dots. :-)

Thanks to all of you (guests and members) for your suggestions.

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30 Apr 07 - 01:29 PM (#2039565)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Grab

Sometime I'd like to see a compare-and-contrast of murder ballads against "splatter" movies like Saw (I/II) or any other serial-killer things. Whenever people say how violent and depraved modern culture is, think of "Waily Weila", "Pretty Polly" or "Sheath and knife" and laugh.

Graham.

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30 Apr 07 - 01:53 PM (#2039591)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Goose Gander

Some possible differences between splatter movies and murder ballads: murder ballads generally served a moral purpose - not gore for gore's sake, but instruction and warning; often they were based upon actual events, so they had a journalistic function as well.

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30 Apr 07 - 02:22 PM (#2039621)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,JimP

Agreed; murder ballads often were based on historical events (Tom Dooley & Omi Wise just off the top of my head) and nearly always functioned as a warning. As for gore, I don't recall many (any?) that revel in the act itself. Mostly there's the pleading for mercy and remorse afterward.

Interesting side-note: can anyone explain why the explicit incest often found in the British versions often disappears in the American versions? Is it simple puritanism, or is there any other explaination?

Guest with no name:

Ballad = Tells a story; no British national origen necessary

Murder = Someone is unlawfully killed; don't know if there are any "fragging" murder ballads, but that would qualify in my book

Composer = "not trad and rejected" Not sure what you mean by that. See the numerous threads on "what is folk" if you really want to debate this type of issue, but as for a Murder Ballad, I think several of them either have known or purported authors. Billy Gashade, for example.

Guest = "not know out of club" Again, I'm not sure what you're getting at. Its just how the software lets non-members leave comments. Most discussion boards make you join in order to comment, so quit being snarky and either join or quit whinging about it.

Mudcat Member = "authority on everything" Hardly. Of course, bomb throwing behind an anonomous "Guest" sig is easier than making reasoned, polite comments, isn't it?

P.M. = "an unknown secret" OK, now you're just being a prick. This has been answered a couple of times in this very thread, by persons with more patience than me. As if "Private Message" weren't an internet convention that anyone could figure out in about two seconds. Back under the bridge, you!

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30 Apr 07 - 08:15 PM (#2039891)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

One of the more interesting aspects of murder ballads, at least "American " murder ballads I'm aquainted with, is the occasional expressions of remorse, or pity, or just FEELINGS. Bob(deckman)Nelson

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30 Apr 07 - 10:41 PM (#2039969)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,cliff

Check out "Jellon Graeme (Child 90)" as done by Peggy Seeger. That'll set you teeth on edge. Also, "The Brown and the Yellow Ale" (The Voice Squad). I'd also suggest looking at the Child texts and alternate titles/versions (as in Bronson) and googling those. Look also at "The Greig-Duncan Folk Song Collection" and "Ozark Folk Songs" (Randolph/Missouri) which have these kinds of songs somewhat categorized. Good luck.

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01 May 07 - 11:55 AM (#2040411)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: dj bass

Two Sisters tune and its "rain and the Wind" refrain were nicked (sorry - adapted) by Bob Dylan for "Percy's Song".

"All my Friends are Gone" (by Rev Gary Davis) is based on a true story of Delia Green, murdered in Savannah in 1899. This may not be old enough, but if you Google "Delia Green" + Savannah you will get contemporary newspaper accounts of the trial of Cooney Huston, which you can compare with the lyrics of the song. They differ considerably and in rather interesting ways. For instance, the song say that Delia was a gambling girl, but she wasn't. Older murders are unlikely to offer that facility. If the song changed the facts so much in such a comparatively short time, what relation might older songs have to any original facts?

Sorry this doesn't really answer your question but might be useful.

dj

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01 May 07 - 01:23 PM (#2040467)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

I have the Voice Squad's Brown & Yellow Ale --- is there a murder in that? Reckon I haven't listened closely enough!

DJ, thanks for the tip about Delia. I do want to include a chapter about murder ballads based on true events.

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01 May 07 - 02:17 PM (#2040516)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,cliff

@ Kim C
We'll, after the affair, the narrator "lay(s) down and died"-- though strangely continuing to narrate the song.

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02 May 07 - 11:35 AM (#2041337)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Mickey191

Anyone recall a chilling song done by Willie Nelson as he describes putting his hands around his love's neck & killing her? It is positively the creepiest song I've ever heard. Sorry I don't know the name. I will search thru my cassettes to find it.

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04 May 07 - 08:25 AM (#2043084)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,cliff

If you haven't already, you'll definitely want to look at this book: "The Rose and the Briar", Norton, ISBN 0-393-05954-5

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04 May 07 - 09:33 AM (#2043146)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Morris-ey

Also check out Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds "Murder Ballads" for some modern gothic.

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04 May 07 - 09:38 AM (#2043151)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Flash Company

This is probably thread creep, but the mention of the Willie Nelson song reminded me of a poem by Browning which I learnt at school called (I think) Porphyria's Lover, in which he plaits a rope from her long hair and strangles her. The next line always made my blood run cold......
'She felt no pain....'

FC

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04 May 07 - 10:19 AM (#2043179)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Thanks Cliff --- I'll see if I can find that book.

I've seen that Nick Cave album. Is it worth listening to?

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04 May 07 - 04:16 PM (#2043425)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,cliff

The book is avaiilable on Amazon, new HC for about $7.50 *including* P&H(!)

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07 May 07 - 03:36 PM (#2045389)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Great! Thanks for the tip!

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08 May 07 - 01:26 PM (#2046262)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Big Al Whittle

Interesting....?

what do you reckon?

there has to be a man and a woman, a tryst, she's done in....how about Maria Marten in the Red Barn then.

or would any murder do...

Ralph McTell's Bentley and Craig?

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08 May 07 - 02:32 PM (#2046305)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Den

The well below the valley, is mostly about incest it alludes to babies being buried beneath the stone. Now wheather those babies were murdered or died at birth is open to interpretation. Biddy McGrath did murder three sailors with the straps of her bra however. Then there's William Taylor. Welia Welia Walia is another. Johnny of Brady's Lea. I could go on.

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08 May 07 - 06:44 PM (#2046498)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

Kim,

This thread caused me to try to remember a murder ballad that I first heard when I was a teenager ... over 100 years ago. It is titled "Harry Orchard," and it's well steeped in frontier Idaho history. My ponderings drove me to my local library, where lo and behold, I found this book: "BIG TROUBLE," by J. Anthony Lukas, Simon & Schuster, 1997.

By the way, "Harry Orchard" is in "American Murder Ballads." CHEERS, Bob

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08 May 07 - 07:12 PM (#2046523)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Big Al Whittle

yes, but are all these songs actual murder ballads?

The English and Irish 'feel' like something different.

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08 May 07 - 08:04 PM (#2046568)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Deckman

"drum" ... I'm curious what you mean? I'd like it if you'd explain further? Bob

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08 May 07 - 08:23 PM (#2046579)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Scoville at Dad's

I gather this is restricted to British-tradition ballads and not American murder ballads from other traditions; otherwise, I'd suggest "Stagolee", "Little Sadie", and "Ella Speed". "Stagolee" and "Ella Speed" are African-American, and "Little Sadie" generally shows up in white string-band repertoires but frequently has a lot in common with "Ella" (and a lot of string-band tunes are disguised African-American play songs or work songs, so it would not surprise me if "Sadie" was borrowed from one of those traditions, as well).

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08 May 07 - 08:32 PM (#2046585)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Yeah - Scoville at Dad's

That is pretty much my take (and clone-deletions to my additions) on this thread.

It will be an interesting day when this young filly meets with her master-wrangler....and they shoe the hoss she plans to ride her paper on.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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08 May 07 - 09:02 PM (#2046596)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Pioden

I love this discussion - I have recently chosen two new songs to learn. but they are not ready for public consumption yet - I want to get them just right, because they are both "murder songs", if you define that as a song in which one of the particulars is wrongfully killed. They both come off a CD called English & Scottish Folk Ballads, they're sung by a variety of musicians. A.L. Lloyd is the first singer listed, produced by Topic Records in London, c1996.
The first song is The Bramble Briar, in which a servant and the daughter of the household fall in love, and her brothers kill him. The second is Jack Orion, who kills his apprentice for cuckholding him with a lady that invited Jack to her chamber. I wonder if that one was originally considered a wrongful killing, b/c the apprentice had sex with a Countess, and that was probably punishable by death back then. Anyone know? By today's standards, it is a murder, though, so I'm treating it as one. I've had fun working with the melodies and set up, trying to get them to a point that today's audience, with much shortened attention span, will find enough interest (varied melodies, chorus, etc.). I am a bit concerned about performing them, don't know how the people will react, but I'm willing to try it.
As to why they're so fascinating, I would direct your attention to similarities with True Crime Novels, as another place to look for reasons, for people to ask why they like them.
There has always been a place for the ballads, and they are perhaps being replaced by the TC novels. People are always interested in what their fellows have done wrong, or misfortunes that have befallen them, whether it's the "there, but by grace go I", curiosity, morbidity, or some other reason. That would be the interesting discovery of you research. There's also some similarity with the talk shows that go on, sensationalism, and tabloids.
I, for one, would be interested in reading your findings!
Have fun with it,
Pioden

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08 May 07 - 11:45 PM (#2046709)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Scoville

Gargoyle, I wasn't complaining, I was just suggesting a few more songs. I don't care what she ends up writing her paper on (although I agree with whoever said above that she probably needs to narrow her topic, but she can cross that bridge later). I was merely pointing out that there are loads of American murder ballads that are not/are not purely UK in origin. I wasn't taking it personally and I don't need someone to gripe on my behalf (I can do my own bitching perfectly well).

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09 May 07 - 01:27 AM (#2046736)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Big Al Whittle

I think whats stirring in my mind Deckman, is a memory.

I seem to remember a review in Sing Out of an American Scholarly work called The Fatal Summer and it was all about the murder ballad as an identifiable genre - The Banks of the Ohio, Tom Dula, Pretty Polly.

Two lovers, a tryst, he does her in.......
In a way Willie Moore 'feels' similar in spirit to these songs - even though there isn't a murder. the same feeling of doomed youth - ruined by love. Although Barbara Ellen wouldn't fit.

The infanticide songs (Weila Weila, The Well Below the Valley, The Cruel Mother) - surely another genre.

The Lord Returns home and kicks up shit(Raggle taggle Gypsies, Matty Groves, Jack Orion, Long Lankin) - another genre again.

Its a sensual thing - I don't claim to be any kind of folklorist or really find the tradition much use in my own writing. Just something I think I've noticed.

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09 May 07 - 03:14 AM (#2046775)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Gerry

Pioden, after you've worked out your arrangement of Jack Orion, you might want to hear how Nancy Kerr & James Fagan do the song. It's on one of their CDs.

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09 May 07 - 03:23 AM (#2046779)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: cshurtz

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09 May 07 - 03:29 AM (#2046780)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: cshurtz

Sorry for the blank message above...anyway, for me it gets no better than "banks of the ohio" There is this great version of the song on one of Alan Lomax's Southern Journey series discs that actually leaves out the chorus, but provides some additional lyrics that I don't hear in other versions. It's a delite

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09 May 07 - 08:40 AM (#2046933)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Snuffy

Frankie & Johnny?

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09 May 07 - 01:21 PM (#2047125)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Rog Peek

Littledrummer

Saw Ralph McTell in Bristol last month, Bently & Craig was one of the songs he included in his set.

Ewan MacColl also wrote of this murder - 'Derek Bentley'

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09 May 07 - 01:51 PM (#2047144)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Mrrzy

Where is my thread about when the survivor kisses the risen dead person they have to die too? I'd be very interested in whether that is as prevelant as I think.

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09 May 07 - 01:53 PM (#2047146)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Mrrzy

Ah - found it. It was older than I thought.

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09 May 07 - 05:03 PM (#2047303)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Scoville at scanner

The Twa Sisters/Wind & Rain/Barkshire Tragedy family.

There's also "the Black-Haired Lass", in which the suitor is killed by the girl's brothers but comes back as a ghost to tell her about her family's treachery. The recording I have is Bob & Evelyne Beers.

"Boglin's Smuggling Men" is an Illinois variant on a UK song in which a woman lures a young man into the woods, where he is robbed and killed. I've got it on an Allen Street String Band tape that I believe is no longer available, but I'm sure it's on other recordings, too.

"Pretty Polly". "Jesse James" (all of them), among lots of other outlaw ballads. "Captain Kidd".

New "trad-esque" songs could include Gillian Welch's "Caleb Meyer" and "One Morning", and there are lots of country songs that extend the genre into modern times.

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09 May 07 - 07:19 PM (#2047412)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST

Frankie and Johnnie was not murder - it was payback - an payback is always a bitch - he was her man but he done her wrong - the SOB had it coming

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09 May 07 - 07:46 PM (#2047436)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Snuffy

If it weren't murder, why did she fry in the chair?

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09 May 07 - 10:25 PM (#2047523)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: fumblefingers

191. Willie Nelson song is "I Just Can't Let You Say Goodbye"

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09 May 07 - 11:47 PM (#2047567)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Art Thieme

I have refreshed the Kennedy Assassination thread for your perusal. There are many murder ballads there.

Art Thieme

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10 May 07 - 10:51 AM (#2048065)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,Scoville

Oh, my goodness--I completely forgot about "Mr. Garfield" and the one about the McKinley assasination!

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10 May 07 - 05:16 PM (#2048421)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Pioden

Guest Gerry - thanks for the lead, I'll look into it later. Guest Scoville, the song you mention, Black-haired lass, sounds similar to the bramble briar, except the sister has a dream that tells her where to find his body. Are you familiar with both lyrics? I'll try to look them up.
Pioden

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10 May 07 - 05:18 PM (#2048424)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Pioden

Hmmm. That was quick, and no, not the same, just a similar theme. Probably happened more than once *grin*
Pioden

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10 May 07 - 05:51 PM (#2048439)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego

John Hardy, Tom Dula(Dooley), Lord Randall (Child Ballad #10, I think),Pretty Polly, Cocaine Blues, The Cruel Mother, Stagger Lee and, on a lighter note, Eggs & Marrowbone. There's no shortage of material on either side of the "pond."

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11 May 07 - 11:52 AM (#2049279)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST

here's my experience of singing a few Scots/English Ballads:

"Two Sisters/Binnorie" AND "The Twa Corbies" (linked to Three Ravens) - I've taught both of these songs in workshops and creative projects with children and young people and they love the gruesome stories. In the former, they found the supernatural twist and come-uppance upon the murdering sister very satisfying and in the latter they enjoyed the "who dunnit?" mystery quality. The stripped down urgency of the action and the simplicity of the language is really appealing to children (I'm talking age 9 years up).

I find all of the family murder related songs need extra care in their introduction and performance, because it's likely that those issues are live and close to the bone for at least some of any given audience. So I've had people choose, after an introduction, to go to the loo during, for example, "The Cruel Mother", or who've found "Sheath and Knife" obviously uncomfortable. But equally as a performer I've felt able to make quite explicit links between some of these songs and contemporary moral and political issues/events.

Many older generation singers in Scotland are/were wary of singing some of the biggest songs in certain settings e.g. Mill O Tifty's Annie/The Trumpeter of Fyvie.

Ailie Munro's book "The Democratic Muse" is worth reading for the short section on "The Banks of Red Roses" alone, and the very different interpretations of it acorded by male and female singers.

Good luck.

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11 May 07 - 01:54 PM (#2049370)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Rog Peek

Snuffy

Because it was America, in France it would probably have been viewed as a crime of passion!

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12 May 07 - 12:27 AM (#2049699)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,reggie miles

I suppose Rudy Vallie's version of "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm", Phil Ochs' "The Ballad of Alferd Packer" or Bert Williams' "Somebody Else Not Me" might be too humorous to be considered a valid murder ballads for your research. What about contemporary ballad writers of songs about murder? Would these be of interest to you, or are you limiting your research to only those songs that have been written long ago?

A little off topic but as a writer I've pondered these questions. Is there a reasonable time frame that limits a writer's exploration of the facts, or lack there of, when trying to create a song about an event that is considered heinous, like murder? Do the facts of such an act really matter in the creative process? It seems to me that in this day and age of disinformation, and top secrets we in this country (the U.S.) aren't even allowed to know the facts of so many horrific acts, due to government secrecy. We merely banter back and forth the what-ifs until we're all sick to death of hearing about the subject. We murder any real interest in the truth via our incessant speculation.

That said, I've written a few that might qualify.

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12 May 07 - 01:10 AM (#2049712)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,reggie miles

Okay, this may be way out of the ballpark but here goes. Does anyone recall a rather obscure Twilight Zone episode where a fella by the name of Floyd Burney (The Rockabilly Boy) goes in search of a fresh new folk song that he can buy cheaply from local 'folks' and turn into a big hit, so he can pocket the profits for himself? He happens into some backwoods area where he hears a song being sung by a beautiful young woman. His passion for the mysterious mountain maiden is inflamed as he tries to coax the unsual ballad from her but she is illusive about singing him the whole song. When he's confronted by her previous suitor, a local mountain man, a struggle ensues and he kills the man. Floyd is then pursured by the man's kin. As he tries to flee with the woman he comes to realization that the song that she is singing is about him and everything that's happened to him since the moment they met. She tries in vain to change the outcome of the song by begging him to not run away this time, but in the end nothing changes and Burney is killed by the those seeking revenge for the death of the mountain man.

It's an eerie melody, sad and beautiful.

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14 May 07 - 04:10 AM (#2051202)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Snuffy

OK Rog. If Frankie wasn't a murderess, what about Lizzie Borden? Justifiable homicide by a victim of child abuse?

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21 May 07 - 04:40 PM (#2057905)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

"I gather this is restricted to British-tradition ballads and not American murder ballads from other traditions"

Not necessarily. I do want to talk about American murder ballads as many of them are based on true events.

Gargoyle, bless you, but I'm not that young, and I've been studying my subject matter for a number of years. Probably not as long as many of you, but I'm hardly wet behind the ears.

Reggie Miles --- I would like to be able to include some modern songs as an example of how traditional ballads continue to influence songwriting/storytelling in the present day.

It will all get whittled down in the process.

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21 May 07 - 05:04 PM (#2057922)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Stringsinger

is it OK if we just talk about them and not sing them?

F.

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22 May 07 - 05:54 AM (#2058240)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Big Al Whittle

Stringsinger - we can't tell if you're singing as you type. You can do if you like, we don't mind.

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22 May 07 - 08:00 AM (#2058274)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Rain Dog

Tom Waits has a version of Two Sisters on his latest CD Orphans

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22 May 07 - 09:56 AM (#2058346)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Thanks Rain Dog --- I will definitely check that out.

Wonder if I can get aholt of Tom Waits to find out what his audience reaction to that song has been?

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22 May 07 - 11:55 AM (#2058410)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Scoville

I was looking for this thread the other day and couldn't find it. Pbbbt.

Just dug out my Lyle Lovett CD's and rediscovered "L.A. County", which is sort of Lyle-atypical. He doesn't generally come across as a murder ballad kind of guy, but there it is.

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23 May 07 - 04:28 PM (#2059281)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Oh yes. I love that song. I think it fits him, though, because the music is bouncy, but the lyrics are dark. Quirkiness at its finest.

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23 May 07 - 10:53 PM (#2059502)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST

WILL THIS THREAD STAY ALIVE FOR ONE BILLION POSTS?

Keep them hands a squeezen' KIMCHEE....

Aim for bucket
1. Squeeze at the top
2. Pull down
3. Squeeze fingers 3-4-5

Repeat- Repeat - Repeat.

Keep it up for four more months and you may have half-a-chapter-ONE by the end of summer. (Five required)

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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23 May 07 - 11:54 PM (#2059527)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: iancarterb

The only murder story about police corruption I can think of is (one of my all time favorites) Duncan and Brady.   Carter B

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24 May 07 - 12:04 AM (#2059530)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: GUEST,ifor

One of the songs that i wan to learn is the Ballad of Timothy Evans by Ewan Mccoll ...very powerful and direct...and the man was innocent !
ifor

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24 May 07 - 04:06 PM (#2060134)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Stick it in your ear, Gargoyle. If you read my original post, the only thing I specifically asked for was people's experiences singing a particular type of song. Surveying a group of people is a common research tool but I wouldn't expect you to know that, since I have never seen you contribute anything of worth to this forum in the 8 years I have been a member. I didn't ask anyone to do my homework for me, you pompous twit. Now go away and leave me the fuck alone, and pick on someone your own size.

Thanks to all of you who responded sincerely. I appreciate your suggestions very much.

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25 May 07 - 11:10 AM (#2060709)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Scoville

Norman Blake's "Billy Gray" (which is in Digitrad under "True Love Knows No Season" or something to that effect) involves murder, although I don't know if it fits the pattern Kim wants. (It was also recorded by Robert Earl Keen, who probably has a number of murder ballads of his own, if Kim wants discographic information, too.)

"Girl Behind the Bar" is a classic (I've got it on the Red Clay Ramblers & Fiddlin' Al McCandless and on Jay Ungar's Catskill Mountain Goose Chase LP).

I assume "Omie Wise" and "Pearl Bryan" have already been mentioned.

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25 May 07 - 01:30 PM (#2060826)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Kim C

Scoville, there's a whole book about the Pearl Bryan ballads, called "Poor Pearl, Poor Girl." I can't think of the author's name offhand but it's pretty readily available as a used book.

Interestingly enough, the murder of Pearl Bryan is said to be connected to a supposedly haunted nightclub in northern KY.

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25 May 07 - 11:50 PM (#2061150)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: fumblefingers

"Knoxville Girl" is an old bluegrass ballad about a man who beats his girl to death out of jealosy.

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26 May 07 - 03:31 AM (#2061210)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Woods

Though it's not "traditional", I personally enjoy the humor of Tom Lehrer's excellent murder ballad that he entitled The Irish Ballad
"About a maid I'll sing a song,
Sing rickety-tickety-tin..."

Woods

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26 May 07 - 08:12 PM (#2061560)
Subject: RE: Let's talk about murder ballads.
From: Scoville

Kim C, that would be Bobby Mackey's Music World. (Sorry, I'm also a ghost story fiend.)

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