Jean Ritchie sings the Cuckoo

CSU, Fresno Folk Artist in Residence 1980, courtesy of Jean Ritchie, The Bluestein Family and the UNC, Chapel Hill Folk Archives.

• Category

  Music

[Hans Fried]

I've been listening to Jean for 45 years + and this is one of my favourites.

[G1le]

Really makes me think of John Jacob Niles.

[cybercita]

if you do forsake me I'll not be forsworn

And they'll all be mistaken if they think that I'll mourn

For I'll get myself up in some higher degree

And I'll walk as light by him as he walks by me.

[Dearprudence1606]

Does anyone know the words to the last verse she sings? The one about 'I love thee for scorn and they'll all be mistaken if they think that I'll morn' I can't get all of the lyrics and I don't think I've heard it in any other version.

[Andy Price]

Yeah shes pure mountain for sure

[mojavemoog]

wow. jean ritchie is channeling some pretty haunting music here. i learned about her through Amps For Christ, who name dropped her as "the lady with the kind voice."