American Jean Ritchie Singing Appalachian Folk Song Sweet William and Lady Margaret

[Dutchy1965]

I'm an Aussie - but there is just something about Appalachian music!

[beanhouse55]

rip america. the world will be a poorer place without you

[mouldybear]

I've been listening to Jean for 45+ years and this is a favourite ballad.

[Foggers2009]

Hi Constance

The instrument is an Appalachian or Mountain Dulcimer; you can see pictures of them in the photos that accompany this video. Its a nineteenth century folk instrument that developed in the Appalachians, probably influenced by some earlier European instruments.

[ConstanceMarkiewicz]

Can anyone tell me what instrument she's playing. Love the sound!

[loomofmetals]

I just love Jean! I love her accent, it reminds me of home and I'm glad she didn't smooth it out for her singing. I heard on the radio the other day how a lot of stereotypes about hillbillies started when the coal companies came. Also, when I listen or read about Jean, I can't help but think about Bill O'Reilly's comments about Appalachia and how these people should just leave their culture to end their poverty. Jean is an inspiration and proves him wrong!

[debcsi1]

OMG People.....just relax and ENJOY the music. Music either touches your heart or it doesn't.

[moominpic]

Great stuff. Getting into "Old Time" stuff. Like what I'm hearing.

[Jazzyteach65]

God Bless this woman and this moment.. This clip has been in my life for two months now, and I listen to it quite a bit! I'm actually going to transcribe it musically!

[charliepc56]

That is, (or was, as it is gone in most parts of Appalachia,) real culture, given way to greed for coal, oil, gas and wood. It's sad that today the culture of the US is "runaway energy consumption," driven by greed and selfishness. And to think, most look down upon what is real and decent and good and characterize it as backward and unwanted. Thanks for a great video of a true American Artist!

[flyingscot4]

Jean Ritchie kept Appalachian Mountain music alive for many years. Bill Monroe took much from it when he "invented" Bluegrass in the "40's." After folk movement ended the music went somewhat dormant and unknown outside "folk" community. Then, the two videos "Songcatcher" and "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" brought national attention back to Jean and Mountain Music. (For history, I recommend "Songcatcher.") She has a BA in social work, is a Fulbright scholar, and is called "The Mother of Folk."

[csa220]

this is mountain music or old time the true music of the appalachian mountains

[childpear]

1 dislike?! must've been a mistake.

[ElleisAL]

This song is very reminiscent of the old English ballad Matty Groves. Both are great songs!

[mmw453]

great video!!

[AncientLunnGadfly]

I Didn't know about the stroke! I wondered why she went silent on her website. Sent her a song once and she wrote me a beautiful letter(see video response). Man! my heart's bustin' right about now...I love her so much...

[johnonorgan]

i wonder if she knows Pea pickin pappa from peanut prarie?

[melcina]

She is actually 87, now, and just had a birthday. I hope she recovers from the stroke.

[shas1814]

Jean is 85 years old now

and I learned that she had a stroke earlier this week.

Please send prayers, good thoughts, and love!

[coy0te9]

This isn't bluegrass, it's an English ballad carried to North America and predates bluegrass by a century or two. Look on youtube for Ralph Stanley for bluegrass. Sad to say, except with folk fanatics, Jean isn't very famous in America. "Lady gaga" is famous, Jean Ritchie isn't. Go figure. The good news is, in a century people will still listen to Jean.

[BansheeSiren]

LOL! I love your comment even though I like Gaga. Lady Gaga doesn't make me empty a box of kleenex, re-examine my life, wonder what it must have sounded like up close, bring back things I didn't even borrow(I got that one from Ohioboy something or other. Ain't it cool?).

When I grow up I want to be like Jean Ritchie! She also writes and sings about mountain life. I've been listening to her all morning and now I have to go to the store because I'm out of kleenex and toilet paper too.

[TheSatchnell]

I agree this is an old English ballad that predates bluegrass. I also think it would be fair to call this bluegrass, because Ralph Stanley sings old English songs in a bluegrass way. Either way Jean does a great version of this song.

[michaelkubasek1]

@coy0te9

Not to contradict you but the cadence and instrument ( Appalachian dulcimer) are used in Bluegrass and since Bluegrass is a derivation of Scottish, English, Welshand Irish traditional music it technically is Bluegrass.

[style5tie]

@michaelkubasek1 Sorry but the Appalachian Dulcimer has not and never will be used in Bluegrass. Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers; never had a dulcimer. This is outstanding mountain music which I love and to call it bluegrass is an offence to this music as well as bluegrass. Do some research. Bluegrass as a genre was created in the late 40's and became known by that name in the mid 50's. Music like this was being played long before The Bluegrass Boys took to the stage.

[banjony]

@style5tie You think that might be a little harsh style5tie? an offense? And she just asked, she didnt even say it was.

[michaelkubasek1]

@style5tie Funny you seemed to ignore your berating of the cadence. I also laugh at the fact that you seem so certain to discredit the idea that a dulcimer can be used in bluegrass. That is like saying if someone was to use a violin in rap music it is no longer rap. Tell me where does mountain music come from; possibly Scottish, English, Welshand Irish traditional music? There is no reason to be offended if someone is wrong please educate us and we can have an intelligent discussion.

[Bnswiss]

@coy0te9 she does sing alot of british songs but i think this on is american 3:37 "go west go west" what would that mean in britan?

[Bnswiss]

@coy0te9 she does sing alot of british songs but i think this on is american 3:37 "go west go west" what would that mean in britan?

[coy0te9]

@Bnswiss

Both Francis Child and Cecil Sharp, two of the greatest collectors of English traditional song, have versions from North America and England and there's one hand copied version dating from the 1600's in the Percy Folio, which is all a pedantic way of saying the song started in England.

[keybladewizard49]

@coy0te9 Honestly, there's no need for you to put down a random pop musician to prove how great your folk musician is. I like both pop and folk, and I would really thumbs-up your comment if it weren't for the unnecessary rant at the end.

[elvis4onyx]

is this "Blue grass" I am a little ignorant as Im new to this!

[Cardinall]

Hi Elvis4Onyx,

Coyote9 is right, Jean is considered America/Appalachian Folk music. If you enjoy this song check out the Jean Ritchie CD "Ballads from Her Appalachian Family Tradition". It's an awesome CD, check my other videos for Doc Watson, he's another great folk artist. Amazon carries a ton of Jean Ritchie MP3's, check them out also.

[elvis4onyx]

Thank you Cardinall for sharing this information with me. I always love to discover new music, I find it broadens the mind! Have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

[Cardinall]

Hi Elvis4Onyx,

Thanks! Have a Merry Christmas too!

:)

[BansheeSiren]

If you like this watch a movie called "Songcatcher". It's kind of like a primer! Oh and get a box of kleenex and watch all the Jean Ritchie and Emmylou Harris and Iris Dement videos on youtube. Lots of freakin' kleenex! For bluegrass watch "oh brother, where art though" but keep in mind that George Clooney is lip syncing "Man of Constant Sorrow".

[buchananstreet]

@elvis4onyx , hm .... this aint rteal bluegrass, if you LOVE bluegrass, listen to THE LOUVIN BROTHERS, THE STANLEY BROTHERS, JIM & JESSE; BILL MONROE, ALISON KRAUSS, STACY GRUBB,they are the real thing

[gajda1984]

@elvis4onyx Bluegrass originated from the 1930s and 40s. This is the original tradition of the pioneers who settled in the Southeast and the Appalachians. This music was carried over from the Scotch-Irish-English and melted together with the traditions of the African slaves. It is know as "Appalachian" or "ole time" music.

[8bitmoloch]

While searching the Internet for a particular folksong I remember partly from my Scandinavian childhood, I somehow came upon this video here on youtube. It's a great song, I like this version better than the Pete Seeger version I've known for years. Jean Ritchie has a beautiful voice

[seaotteR79]

Fantastic. Is she famous in America? I'm from England and I'd never heard of her till about a month ago when I saw a programme about American folk music on BBC4. She shoudl be better known over here, especially as there are obviously British roots to this song. What a gorgeous voice!

[gajda1984]

@seaotteR79 Unfortunatly, most people in America don't respect this tradition of music. But she is one of the main preservers of the original tradition of music in America. This music is a melting pot of the original cultures in the beginning, the Scotch-Irish-English, Native Americans, and African traditions.

[noah2me]

she is my papaws cousin

[cloisterene]

Her album, ' jean ritchie BALLADS', is a keeper....(this song is on it, along with a total of 16 classic Appalachian folk songs).

[xeereaux]

Very, very nice, indeed! The song is akin to one of my fav old tunes, "Barbree Allen." I have not heard of Jean Ritchie before thus, what have I been missing! Thanks for the post!

[Szeklar]

Excellent song! I was lucky enough to catch Jean Ritchie perform a number of years ago. She has a great gift. Listening to her voice is like hearing a song bird. Thanks for posting.