A Folk Song A Day

This is the first time we move out of strict ‘Trad. Arr.’ Territory as Jon explains, “ I chopped the first verse off, turned the second (?) verse into a chorus and wrote a new tune. Not that there’s owt wrong with the old one mind.” Jon recalls the words were credited ‘Anon’ and he claims his source as a book although is unsure of the title, suggesting both A History Of England In Verse or A Ballad History Of England, both of which seem to get a result with Amazon as you can see by following the links. I’ve also just found this link, which follows Jon’s version fairly well and suggests the song is credited to William Gray of Reading and dates form Tudor times. Having asked Jon for any notes on the music or accompaniment, as I’m sure you’ll be thirsty for any insider knowledge, I’m informed that the concertina played here is  Maccann Duet (for the insatiably curious you’ll see more detail of the instrument here.)

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Also called Allan Tyne Of Harrow this is our first number to feature accompaniment, with Jon adding fiddle to an English version of a song that is possibly originally Irish in origin and known there as Valentine O’ Hara who is from Tara or Tarra. Mudcat again comes up with the goods and despite one or two minor lyrical differences, you’ll find an excellent transcript here. The thread gets into the minutiae of the words , but the debate about which version came first is intriguing. I’m almost convinced by the Anglicising of the name from Valentine to Allantine and someone believes to have read a report of Valentine’s execution, which if true gives the best historical provenance.  But typically the waters are muddied, by claims for Ewan MacColl uncovering the earlier English version, not to mention the possibility of that version actually being Scottish. I believe it’s Ewan’s version via Peter Bellamy that Jon is using here. Further intrigue comes from the use of mondegreen to describe the change in translation and I’m now the wiser to learn that the etymology is the misinterpretation of ‘laid him on the green’ to ‘Lady Mondegreen.’ It’s, as always, up to you if you want to get into the debate or just enjoy the music, but having stirred the pot, I’ll bow out.  If like me you’re also learning something every day, however,  it can only be a good thing.