607. Edward, Edward (Child 13) - (Traditional)

I first came across this murder ballad when I studied it in English class at school as a poetry lesson. It is, of course, from Francis James Child's extraordinary collection of English and Scottish ballads.

Like "Lord Randal", it consists of a dialogue between a mother and son. She asks why there is blood on his sword, and after various claims that he killed his hawk, or his dog or his horse, he finally admits to killing his father. As penance he will exile himself, leaving his family to fend for themselves, and cursing his mother for, apparently, putting him up to it.

It has been recorded by many artists, including John Jacob Niles, Burl Ives, Richard Dyer-Bennet, Almeda Riddle, Christy Moore, Steeleye Span, Ewan MacColl, Ed McCurdy, Jean Ritchie and Peggy Seeger.

For more information on the Child Ballads, including the lyrics of this song, you can check out: http://raymondfolk.wetpaint.com/page/The+Child+Ballads

You can also watch a playlist of my renditions of the Child ballads:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B2D0D5657EA394E4

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• ballad
• francis
• james
• child
• murder
• dialogue
• curse

[WocketInMyPocket7]

Oh my goodness, I found a version of this on iTunes sung by Jean Ritchie. It's so different from this, there isnt even the word "Edward" in it, but its the same story, I can tell.. in her version he just kills his brother in law and lies to "his love" about it.. fantastic that you put this video so I can hear more of the story! :D

[raymondcrooke]

@WocketInMyPocket7 Thanks for subscribing. I love these old ballads.

[TOMERHANAN1]

nice

[raymondcrooke]

@TOMERHANAN1 Thanks for subscribing.

[FuriousPumpkin]

i read this is english class in highschool it was from some book called the child ballads.

listen to the song "edward" by the old blind dogs for a very different but awesome interpretations.

Originally i heard it with 0 music it sounded odd at best. Great performance with the music.

[raymondcrooke]

@FuriousPumpkin Actually, I do like to sing a lot of the Child ballads without music. That way you can focus more on the words and make it more dramatic. Thanks for your comment.

[raymondcrooke]

@pammfh There are many versions of most of the Child ballads - over fifty of "Barbara Allen" I believe. I hope you will enjoy some of the many ballads I've posted here. Thanks for your comment.

[pammfh]

I also discovered traditional ballads on an English course, and I've been singing them to myself ever since. Until finding your channel and reading the comments, I didn't know that other people were interested in them too. I know two different versions of Edward - in one he kills his brother, in the other an un-named boy. Two different tunes, too. Can't wait to check out your other vidoes. Many thanks!

[raymondcrooke]

@batlix Thanks.

[batlix]

GRAND!