The Lass of Loch Royal As Hamish Henderson noted in the link we discussed in the post that started this week with the deception May Margaretâs mother perpetrates on Willie matches that found in âLord Gregoryâ (lyrics) or âThe Lass of … Continue reading →
River Clyde, near Abington Drawn into the Clyde Water My introduction to âDrowned Loversâ began with hearing a spare bit of guitar playing, opening up with regular, almost transmitter-like pulses as the tenth track on Kate Rusbyâs solo debut album, … Continue reading →
The River Clyde âMotherâs Malisonâ (Child 216) If the first song discussed in this blog was about the potentially dire consequences of following the counsel of oneâs parents instead of the counsel of oneâs heart, this week weâll show just how … Continue reading →
The Last Judgment by Jean Cousin The Man Comes Around This will be a relatively short post.  Also, Iâll offer apologies to our loyal readers who may have seen some of what Iâm about to discuss in comments to an earlier … Continue reading →
Mary Magdalene in the Grotto, by Jules-Joseph Lefebvre The Ballad of Mary Magdalene This one is perhaps the biggest stretch, but as you may have noticed before, Iâm interested in how artists tell stories around a central, more well-known story. … Continue reading →
Woody Guthrie Working Class Hero Less graphically than âOn a Hill Lone and Gray,â Woody Guthrie provides his own rendering of the Jesus story. Â In this one, the multitude is still implicated, but in a slightly different way; and, the … Continue reading →
Golgotha Jesus and the Murder Ballad This week weâre going to take a small detour from the traditional murder ballad. Shaleaneâs post on Nick Caveâs âThe Mercy Seatâ prompted me to consider just how frequently and in what guises Jesus figures … Continue reading →
Romeo and Juliet â Sir Frank Dicksee, 1884 Note: This is Part 3 of a three part series.  See also Part 1 and Part 2. Introduction What is it about this weekâs song, âMatty Grovesâ, that attracts us so?  (If youâre … Continue reading →
Barnard Castle â William Turner, 1825 Note: This is Part 2 of a three part series.  See also Part 1 and Part 3. Introduction It is clear that psychological themes in this weekâs subject, âMatty Grovesâ, strike the most resonant chords for … Continue reading →
This is Part 1 of a three part series.  See also Part 2, and Part 3. Introduction â âTwas on the high, high holy dayâŚâ This week we go back to Britain, to the old ballads.  Yes, itâs one of … Continue reading →
