The Farmer's Curst Wife
The Farmer's Curst Wife is a traditional English language folk song listed as Child ballad number 278 and number 160 in the Roud Folk Song Index.
The lyrics of the ballad are sometimes sung to the melody of the song Lillibullero.[1]
Robert Burns based his 1792 poem "Carle of Killyburn Braes" on the ballad.
Synopsis
A farmer has a wife who causes him stress. One day, the Devil takes her away to Hell. In Hell, the wife commits violent acts. She makes life in hell so bad that the Devil brings her back to her husband.[2]
Traditional Versions
Ritchie Family
When Cecil Sharp visited the Ritchie family of Viper, Kentucky in 1917 on his journey to collect traditional songs, he was excited to hear their version of the ballad (which they called "The Little Devils"), because it included a whistled refrain that Sharp had read about having once existed in Britain. Jean Ritchie recalled the tale of her sisters Una and Sabrina learning the lyrics of the song from their uncle Jason in order to sing it to Cecil Sharp,[3] whose transcription of their performance can be viewed via the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.[4]
Alan Lomax recorded Jean Ritchie singing the song in 1949, and the recording is freely available online courtesy of the Alan Lomax archive.[5] She then recorded the song in 1952 on her album Singing the Traditional Songs of Her Kentucky Mountain Family. The Ritchie family version ends with the humorous verse:
Oh the women they are so much better than men, When they go to hell they get sent back again.
United States
Lots of other version were collected in the United States. The Appalachian musicians Nimrod Workman,[6] Horton Barker,[7] Texas Gladden[8] and Aunt Molly Jackson[9] all recorded their own traditional versions of the song around the middle of the twentieth century. Elsewhere in the US, James "Iron Head" Baker[10] and Ollie Gilbert[11] had their versions recorded. Texas Gladden's 1932 recording can be heard online via the University of Virginia Library website.[12]
Britain
A recording made by James Madison Carpenter of a male singer in Bampton, Oxfordshire in the 1930s can be heard on the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library website.[13] Jimmy White of Whittingham, Northumberland was recorded singing the ballad in 1954,[14] as was Alan Rogerson of nearby Wooler, Northumberland in 1958.[15] Walter Pardon of Norfolk also recorded his traditional version.[16] English versions such as that of George "Pop" Maynard which can be heard on the British Library Sound Archive website,[17] include the whistling refrain that Cecil Sharp thought had been lost in Britain, albeit a different tune to the Ritchie version. It has also been recorded by a handful of Scottish singers.
Ireland
The renowned piper, Seamus Ennis, recorded an acclaimed version in his 1957 album The Bonny Bunch of Roses. Another acclaimed version of the song is by Thomas Moran[18]
Lyrics
The following lyrics were recorded in James Henry Dixon's Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England (1857):
1 There was an old farmer in Sussex did dwell,
(chorus of whistlers)
There was an old farmer in Sussex did dwell,
And he had a bad wife, as many knew well.
(chorus of whistlers)
2 Then Satan came to the old man at the plough:
'One of your family I must have now.
3 'It is not your eldest son that I crave,
But it is your old wife, and she I will have.'
4 'O welcome, good Satan, with all my heart!
I hope you and she will never more part.
5 Now Satan has got the old wife on his back,
And he lugged her along, like a pedlar's pack.
6 He trudged away till they came to his hall-gate;
Says he, Here, take in an old Sussex chap's mate.
7 O then she did kick the young imps about;
Says one to the other, Let's try turn her out.
8 She spied thirteen imps all dancing in chains,
She up with her pattens and beat out their brains.
9 She knocked the old Satan against the wall!
'Let's turn her out, or she'll murder us all.'
10 Now he's bundled her up on his back amain,
And to her old husband he took her again.
11 'I have been a tormentor the whole of my life,
But I neer was tormented so as with your wife.'
Popular Recordings
- Patrick Sky on his 1966 album A Harvest of Gentle Clang
- Pete Seeger
- Hannah James and Sam Sweeney
- Bellowhead
- John Koerner
References
- ^ Stephen Basdeo. "Lilliburlero – The Biggest Hit of the 17th Century". The History Vault.
- ^ Würzbach, Natascha, and Simone M. Salz. 1995. Motif index of the Child corpus: the English and Scottish popular ballad. Berlin: W. de Gruyter. ISBN 3-11-014290-2. p. 235.
- ^ "Alan Lomax Archive". research.culturalequity.org. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Farmer's Curst Wife (Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) CJS2/10/4072)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Little Devils | Lomax Digital Archive". archive.culturalequity.org. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
- ^ "The Devil and the Farmer (Roud Folksong Index S331490)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Farmer's Curst Wife (Roud Folksong Index S397528)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Two Little Devils (Roud Folksong Index S445431)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Devil and the Farmer, the (the Farmer's Curst Wife) (Roud Folksong Index S259037)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Farmer's Curst Wife (Roud Folksong Index S259466)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Old Man Under the Hill (Roud Folksong Index S309388)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Barbara Allen; Two little devils - Avalon Media System". avalon.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Farmer's Curst Wife, The (VWML Song Index SN19033)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Devil (Roud Folksong Index S173361)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Kellyburn Braes (Roud Folksong Index S341427)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Devil and the Farmer's Wife (Roud Folksong Index S340593)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "There was an old farmer in Sussex did dwell [Farmer in Cheshire] - Reg Hall English, Irish and Scottish Folk Music and Customs Collection - World and traditional music | British Library - Sounds". sounds.bl.uk. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "The Farmer's Curst Wife (Roud Folksong Index S144511)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
External links
- [1]
- mudcat
- The Farmer's Curst Wife
- An American variant with notes. (In most browsers, this site will play a MIDI file when you navigate to it).
- v
- t
- e
- Sir Aldingar
- Alison and Willie
- Allison Gross
- Andrew Lammie
- Archie o Cawfield
- Kinmont Willie
- Auld Matrons
- Babylon
- The Baffled Knight
- The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington
- Barbara Allen
- The Battle of Otterburn
- The Beggar-Laddie
- Adam Bell
- The Bent Sae Brown
- Bessy Bell and Mary Gray
- Blancheflour and Jollyflorice
- The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood
- Bonnie Annie
- The Bonnie Earl O' Moray
- Bonnie George Campbell
- Bonny Baby Livingston
- Bonny Bee Hom
- The Bonny Birdy
- The Bonny Hind
- The Bonnie House of Airlie
- The Bonny Lass of Anglesey
- Bonny Lizie Baillie
- The Boy and the Mantle
- Broom of the Cowdenknowes
- The Broomfield Hill
- Broughty Wa's
- Brown Adam
- The Brown Girl
- Brown Robin
- Brown Robyn's Confession
- Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane
- Burd Isabel and Earl Patrick
- Captain Ward and the Rainbow
- Captain Wedderburn's Courtship
- The Carnal and the Crane
- The Cherry-Tree Carol
- The Ballad of Chevy Chase
- Child Maurice
- Child Owlet
- Child Waters
- Christopher White
- Clerk Colvill
- Clerk Saunders
- The Clerk's Twa Sons o Owsenford
- The Crafty Farmer
- Crow and Pie
- The Cruel Brother
- The Cruel Mother
- The Daemon Lover
- The Death of Parcy Reed
- The Death of Queen Jane
- Dick o the Cow
- Dives and Lazarus
- The Dowie Dens o Yarrow
- Dugall Quin
- The Duke of Athole's Nurse
- The Duke of Gordon's Daughter
- Earl Brand
- Earl Crawford
- The Earl of Errol
- The Earl of Mar's Daughter
- Earl Rothes
- Edom o Gordon
- Edward
- The Elfin Knight
- Eppie Morrie
- Erlinton
- Fair Annie
- The Fair Flower of Northumberland
- Fair Janet
- Fair Margaret and Sweet William
- Fair Mary of Wallington
- The False Lover Won Back
- The Famous Flower of Serving-Men
- The Farmer's Curst Wife
- Fause Foodrage
- The Fause Knight Upon the Road
- The Friar in the Well
- The Gardener
- The Gay Goshawk
- Geordie
- The George Aloe and the Sweepstake
- A Gest of Robyn Hode
- Get Up and Bar the Door
- Gil Brenton
- Glasgerion
- Glasgow Peggie
- Glenlogie
- The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry
- The Grey Cock
- Gude Wallace
- The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
- Battle of Harlaw
- The Heir of Linne
- Hind Etin
- Hind Horn
- Hobie Noble
- Hughie Graham
- James Hatley
- Jamie Douglas
- Jellon Grame
- Jock o' the Side
- Jock the Leg and the Merry Merchant
- John Dory
- John of Hazelgreen
- Johnie Cock
- Johnie Scot
- Johnnie Armstrong
- The Jolly Beggar
- The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield
- Judas
- Katharine Jaffray
- The Keach i the Creel
- Kemp Owyne
- Kempy Kay
- King Arthur and King Cornwall
- King Edward the Fourth and a Tanner of Tamworth
- King Estmere
- King Henry
- King Henry Fifth's Conquest of France
- King John and the Bishop
- The King's Disguise, and Friendship with Robin Hood
- The King's Dochter Lady Jean
- Lang Johnny More
- The Kitchie-Boy
- The Knight and the Shepherd's Daughter
- The Knight's Ghost
- The Knoxville Girl
- The Lads of Wamphray
- Lady Alice
- Lady Diamond
- Lady Elspat
- Lady Isabel
- Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight
- Lady Maisry
- The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea
- The Laird o Drum
- The Laird o Logie
- Lamkin
- The Lass of Roch Royal
- Leesome Brand
- Sir Lionel
- Little John a Begging
- Lizie Lindsay
- Lizie Wan
- The Lochmaben Harper
- Lord Ingram and Chiel Wyet
- Lord Lovel
- Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
- The Lord of Lorn and the False Steward
- Lord Randall
- Lord Saltoun and Auchanachie
- Lord Thomas and Fair Annet
- Lord Thomas and Lady Margaret
- Lord Thomas Stuart
- Lord William
- The Maid and the Palmer
- The Maid Freed from the Gallows
- The Marriage of Sir Gawain
- Mary Hamilton
- Matty Groves
- The Mermaid
- The Mother's Malison
- The New-Slain Knight
- The Noble Fisherman
- Northumberland Betrayed By Douglas
- Old Robin of Portingale
- Sir Orfeo
- Prince Heathen
- Prince Robert
- Proud Lady Margaret
- Queen Elanor's Confession
- The Queen of Elfan's Nourice
- The Queen of Scotland
- The Rantin Laddie
- Redesdale and Wise William
- Richie Story
- Riddles Wisely Expounded
- Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale
- Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne
- Robin Hood and Little John
- Robin Hood and Maid Marian
- Robin Hood and Queen Katherine
- Robin Hood and the Beggar
- Robin Hood and the Bishop
- Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford
- Robin Hood and the Butcher
- Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar
- Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
- Robin Hood and the Monk
- Robin Hood and the Pedlars
- Robin Hood and the Potter
- Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon
- Robin Hood and the Ranger
- Robin Hood and the Scotchman
- Robin Hood and the Shepherd
- Robin Hood and the Tanner
- Robin Hood and the Tinker
- Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight
- Robin Hood Newly Revived
- Robin Hood Rescuing Three Squires
- Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly
- Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valor, and Marriage
- Robin Hood's Chase
- Robin Hood's Death
- Robin Hood's Delight
- Robin Hood's Golden Prize
- Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham
- Robyn and Gandeleyn
- The Rose of England
- Rose the Red and White Lily
- Saint Stephen and Herod
- Sheath and Knife
- Sir Cawline
- Sir James the Rose
- Sir Patrick Spens
- The Suffolk Miracle
- The Sweet Trinity
- Sweet William's Ghost
- Tam Lin
- Thomas o Yonderdale
- Thomas the Rhymer
- The Three Ravens
- Tom Potts
- A True Tale of Robin Hood
- The Twa Brothers
- The Twa Magicians
- The Twa Sisters
- The Unquiet Grave
- Walter Lesly
- The Wee Wee Man
- The West Country Damosel's Complaint
- The White Fisher
- The Whummil Bore
- The Wife of Usher's Well
- The Wife Wrapt in Wether's Skin
- Will Stewart and John
- Willie and Earl Richard's Daughter
- Willie and Lady Maisry
- Willie o Douglas Dale
- Willie o Winsbury
- Willie's Fatal Visit
- Willie's Lady
- Willie's Lyke-Wake
- The Wylie Wife of the Hie Toun Hie
- Young Andrew
- Young Beichan
- Young Benjie
- The Young Earl of Essex's Victory over the Emperor of Germany
- Young Hunting
- Young Johnstone
- Young Peggy
- Young Ronald
- Young Waters
This folk song–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e