249. Sir Patrick Spens (Child 58) - (Traditional Scottish)

This song, of Scottish origin, is one of the most popular of the ballads collected by Francis James Child. It is believed to be based on an actual event - the king is probably King Alexander III of Scotland, who sent Sir Patrick Spens on his dangerous voyage to Norway to bring back the child of the king's daughter Margaret, who had married Eric, the young King of Norway (1281), but had died in childbirth. The king's seven-year-old grand-daughter (the Maid of Norway) was therefore the heir to the Scottish throne. There is no record of a "Patrick Spens" himself, so he is probably a fictional character.

The ballad has many variations but they all tell basically the same story: The King of Scotland asks for the most skillful sailor in the land to take charge of his ship. Sir Patrick's name is mentioned by an old knight, and the king sends him the unwelcome letter commanding him to set sail at the most dangerous time of year. In some versions the ship is wrecked on the way over, while in longer versions Sir Patrick safely reaches Norway, only to be accused by the Norwegian lords of wasting their king's resources. Offended, Sir Patrick leaves the following day despite the bad omen of seeing the new moon with the old moon in its arms, which would indicate dangerous tides. The inevitable result is that the ship sinks, taking him and the Scottish lords to the bottom of the sea. The last few verses point up the ironic contrast between the lifestyle of the lords (and their ladies) with the men's ignoble death.

I first knew this ballad as a poem in one of my school textbooks.

There is a popular version of the song which was sung by Fairport Convention, but my performance here is based on my memory of the way it was sung by Ewan MacColl.

I tried putting the lyrics here in case my fake Scottish accent was hard to follow, but they didn't fit. But you can find them on my website.

For a playlist of all my a capella songs:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list...

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

For lyrics and chords of my songs please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

• Category

  Music

[jakkblades]

Among my favorite Childe ballads, maybe the very best. The traditional interpretation adds much to it. These lines want to expanded, made stronger by the voice that speaks them. To drain them in dull monotones would be a sin.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for your comment. It's one of my favourites too.

[Dlemon X]

Good version of this amazing song!! I love the accent! It adds so much to it.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for watching.

[nolicnotrut]

Yet again I search for a traditional song, and who do I find?

Raymond!

My wife, (a Scot,) would take issue with the accent, but your phrasing and articulation are immaculate, and I really appreciate this very brave rendition. This is story-telling at its best.

I like that lyric about the New Moon with the Old Moon in her airms. Jez Lowe wrote a song in that vein - it was about pubs!

You deserve an award for your contribution to folk music.

[raymondcrooke]

I learned this one way back in school. My rendition is based on my recollection of the way Ewan MacColl did it, but I know I wouldn't be able to get the accent right.

Thanks for your kind words.

Greetings from Kutahya, Turkey, where I'm staying for the next two days.

[raymondcrooke]

I don't think Sir Patrick would agree!

[SirCoughsalot]

Very nice.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Archie. Always good to see you here. Keep those great songs coming.

[losthills]

I love the Child Ballads; they're the foundation of all folk blues country and rock music, and tell stories that are true to human nature through the centuries. Always dig the way you tell these old tales, and the historical background you provide, and I remember the niche where you recorded your vids back in Hong Kong. Well done as always, Raymond