The Death of Queen Jane - Fred Johnston & Sylvia Crawford

Child ballad 170, this version is cobbled together from a variety of sources and versions, using what the playwright John Arden described to me as a tune he knew it by as a boy; others will recognise it as having been used by Joan Baez. This was recorded at Shay Studios, Kylebrack, Loughrea, Co. Galway.
'The Death of Queen Jane' discusses the death of Jane Seymour, wife to Henry VIII, (but never actually crowned as Queen) who gave birth to Edward VI of England on October 12th, 1537. Jane Seymour died twelve days later. Edward died aged 15. It is possible that Seymour was the only one of his wives whom Henry seriously loved and his delight at being given a male heir was destroyed by the death of Jane. The mysterious verse concerning building a castle seems to have no part of the rest of the narrative; nonetheless, it does appear in at least one other version of the song. The video was filmed at Dun Guaire Castle,Kinvara, Co. Galway, Ireland. The castle is open for visitors.

Sylvia Crawford: musical arrangement, keyboards, fiddles, wire-strung mediaeval harp, finger cymbals
Fred Johnston: vocals, guitar, bowed psaltery

http://www.shaysstudio.ie/

The song was mastered and released on the ''Seanua' album which was launched during the Galway arts festival in July this year, 2010.

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• henry
• 8th
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[11gokey]

Is there a posting of the lyrics that you use? I would love to know them as you sing them. Beautiful song!

[11gokey]

What a wonderful song and an incredibly sad story. I've listened to many of your

posts Fred, but this one really hit a nerve. Thanks for a great performance.