Thereby Hangs a (Folk) Tale In the last post, I suggested that there seemed to be a certain implausible, or perhaps contrived, quality, to the narrative of “Babylon,” “The Bonnie Banks o’ Fordie,” or “Fair Flowers of the Valley,” … Continue reading →
“The Bonnie Banks O’Fordie,” by Charles Hodge Mackie (1892) Fair Flowers of the Valley While it’s not exactly our intention to ring the changes on the varieties of family-based murder ballads, we’ll turn this week to Child Ballad 14, “Babylon” … Continue reading →
Introduction My first post this week introduced “Hiram Hubbard”, a Kentucky murder ballad from the era of the Civil War. The performance of Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson was our springboard. For the sake of avoiding multiple clicks across posts, … Continue reading →
“Come all you friends and neighbors…” Every spring, as I finish teaching my unit on the American Civil War, my thoughts turn towards that most terrible of American experiences. Me being who I am always makes that rather intense. This … Continue reading →
Rorey Carroll Part Two of Murder Ballad Monday’s Interview with Rorey Carroll Read Part One of the interview here. Read about the song, “Head Hung,” here. MBM: If you don’t mind me asking about this, your brother died tragically … Continue reading →
Rorey Carroll “…it’s such a powerful thing to take someone’s life. It’s one of the most powerful things, and it’s something that anyone could do. I think people are fascinated with death and murder for the fascination with their own darkness.” Part One … Continue reading →
I found the music of Colorado-based songwriter and recording artist Rorey Carroll, when she “liked” our Facebook page. I looked up her web site, and gave “Head Hung” a listen, and heard something I recognized in this original murder … Continue reading →
In between “Furnace Room Lullaby” and “Deep Red Bells,” Neko Case released her second original murder ballad, “Make Your Bed.” The song appeared on Canadian Amp, an EP featuringa few covers, one traditional folk song, and two originals. “Make Your … Continue reading →
Neko Case playing murder victim on the cover of her album Furnace Room Lullaby In response to a previous post on Nick Cave and Johnny Cash, one of our readers commented that “the emotion in Cave’s voice, along with his … Continue reading →
Last week, Pat asked why we keep pushing the murder ballad for meaning and truth, asking what we need to know that compels us to keep plumbing the depths of these songs? But sometimes, it’s not what we don’t know … Continue reading →
