Hear new versions of old English folksongs on this New Sounds. Listen to several dramatic takes of the traditional English song "John Barleycorn (Must Die)," which might be as old as the 1300's, and was popularized by the band Traffic. The song tells the story of the grain from planting to harvest and beyond, including the making of sweet ale. There's also the traditional tune that tells the adulterous tale of "Matty Groves," also known as "Little Musgrave." Plus, the traditional song "Little Margaret," a twisted tale of a broken-hearted lass who makes an appearance as a ghost in the bridal chamber of her sweet William to ask him how he likes the new bride for whom he threw her over.
PROGRAM #3366, John Barleycorn & Other English Folksongs (8/15/2012)
ARTIST(S) | RECORDING | CUT(S) | SOURCE |
Martin Carthy w/ Dave Swarbrick | Byker Hill | John Barleycorn [3:00] | Topic Records TSCD 342 |
Traffic | John Barleycorn (Must Die) | John Barleycorn (Must Die) [6:26] | Universal Distribution #90772 (Most recent reissue) Download from iTunes, eMusic, or Amazon. |
Steeleye Span | the Journey | John Barleycorn [4:54] | |
The Revels | The Wild Mountain Thyme | John Barleycorn Is a Hero Bold [1:59] | Revels Inc. #CD-1094 |
Coope, Boyes & Simpson | The Rough Guide to English Folk | John Barleycorn [4:14] | World Music Network #1261 |
Various Artists: Horses of the Gods | John Barleycorn Reborn: Dark Britannica | John Barleycorn [3:56] | 2012 Cold Spring |
Knights of the Occasional Table | John Barleycorn 2000 | John Barleycorn [11:25] | |
Carolina Chocolate Drops | Dona Got A Ramblin Mind | Little Margaret [2:07] | Music Maker #76 |
Fairport Convention | Liege and Lief | Matty Groves, excerpt [5:00] | Most recently issued on Island Records #60075326727 |
The Knitters (aka X) | The Modern Sounds of the Knitters | Little Margaret [3:05] | Zoe / New Rounder / Zoë Records - #ZOE 1057 |