Alison Cross is one of the "Child Ballads", which were a collection of English/Scottish ballads from the 19th century. (But some of them are older or based on older variants, hence the mediaeval and pre-Christian subject matter)
Malinky's version is close to the original text which is in broad Scots/ Northern English. Steeleye's version is more anglicized.
Tons of material from modern folk revival is taken from the Child Ballads- The Cruel Sister/Bonny Swans is one too!
I'm familiar with Folk-Rock & Scottish / Irish Folk versions of several Child Ballads, such as 'The Cruel Sister', 'The Twa Corbies', 'The Unquiet Grave', 'The False Night on the Road', 'Edward', 'Willie's Lady', 'The Bonnie Banks o Fordie', 'Tam Lin', 'The Laily Worm', 'The Twa Magaicians', 'Sir Patrick Spens', 'The Bonny Earl of Moray', 'Gypsy Davey', 'Geordie', 'The Dowie Dens of Yarrow', mostly by Old Blind Dogs and such...
If you compare the complete lyrics of the twa songs they are very, very similar, but not exactly a match. It would not be the first song with multiple versions; Whisky in the Jar is another example.
Another common one is 'The Cruel Sister' ~ as done by Pentangle, and Old Blind Dogs. It's also known as 'The Two Sisters' {Clannad}, and 'The Bonny Swans' {Loreena McKennitt}, each with differing lyrics, but the same basic story.
Well, the CD and lyrics printed in the CD booklet clearly call it 'Alison Cross'. It may well be that Malinky changed the title, or be one of those songs with several versions...
I don't think the narrator is a serpent to begin with. For the lip the witch turns the narrator into a worm or serpent, until the fairy queen corrects the issue.
aw GUYZ!!!! this is so HOTT! I ADORE MALINKY!!!
YAY SCOTTISH FOLK!!!
WOOO-HOOOO!!!!!!
sillybabybunnies 5 months ago
Alison Cross is one of the "Child Ballads", which were a collection of English/Scottish ballads from the 19th century. (But some of them are older or based on older variants, hence the mediaeval and pre-Christian subject matter)
Malinky's version is close to the original text which is in broad Scots/ Northern English. Steeleye's version is more anglicized.
Tons of material from modern folk revival is taken from the Child Ballads- The Cruel Sister/Bonny Swans is one too!
Juliethefox 2 years ago
Thank you for the details :)
I'm familiar with Folk-Rock & Scottish / Irish Folk versions of several Child Ballads, such as 'The Cruel Sister', 'The Twa Corbies', 'The Unquiet Grave', 'The False Night on the Road', 'Edward', 'Willie's Lady', 'The Bonnie Banks o Fordie', 'Tam Lin', 'The Laily Worm', 'The Twa Magaicians', 'Sir Patrick Spens', 'The Bonny Earl of Moray', 'Gypsy Davey', 'Geordie', 'The Dowie Dens of Yarrow', mostly by Old Blind Dogs and such...
SilverWolfMoon 2 years ago
Interesting.
If you compare the complete lyrics of the twa songs they are very, very similar, but not exactly a match. It would not be the first song with multiple versions; Whisky in the Jar is another example.
Be well !!!
GreenManelishi 2 years ago
Another common one is 'The Cruel Sister' ~ as done by Pentangle, and Old Blind Dogs. It's also known as 'The Two Sisters' {Clannad}, and 'The Bonny Swans' {Loreena McKennitt}, each with differing lyrics, but the same basic story.
SilverWolfMoon 2 years ago
Well, the CD and lyrics printed in the CD booklet clearly call it 'Alison Cross'. It may well be that Malinky changed the title, or be one of those songs with several versions...
SilverWolfMoon 2 years ago
I think the actual title is Allison GROSS, not cross. Steeleye Span recorded it many years ago.
GreenManelishi 2 years ago
Beautiful!!
jennienimhaoil 2 years ago
this track is about halloween isn't it?
sorry if i'm wrong, i'm more into rap music like 2pac, eazy e, dizzee rascal....well you get my drift.
coolguy9996 3 years ago
It's not really about Halloween / Samhain...
But it is about magic and witchcraft :)
SilverWolfMoon 3 years ago
so its a bad idea to reject a witch then lol
coolguy9996 3 years ago
Lmaoo My name is Alison Cross.. LOL
Allientots 3 years ago
Being American, its hard to make out the lyric with the heavy accent..but it doesn't matter, an excellent example of Scottish folk..
5***** rating!! Great post!
ou812uc 3 years ago
I'll add the lyrics for you in 'info' later...
SilverWolfMoon 3 years ago
Thanks for the lyric Silver...it tells a very interesting story indeed...I think the narrator was a serpent...
ou812uc 3 years ago
I don't think the narrator is a serpent to begin with. For the lip the witch turns the narrator into a worm or serpent, until the fairy queen corrects the issue.
reddragonace 3 years ago