The Extreme Violence Of Folk Music and Murder Ballads

Introduction

I am currently listening to “Sweet Child” by Pentangle, a live album I had for sale on Discogs but have now withdrawn as it is so good. I am sure that they have some violence somewhere in their music but here are a few of my favourites.

Prince Heathen - Martin Carthy

This is one of my favourite songs ever. I first heard it on John Peel and it has stayed with me ever since, it is also a favourite of Erica Wagner Lead Editorial Innovator at Vocal. A tale of total misogyny where the Prince Heathen of the title takes a girl who detests him. He murders her whole family, rapes her, gets her pregnant and keeps her tied in a stone vault until the birth of their son. All the way through this she never succumbs to his will despite his continual demands.

Even through the birth she is laughed at by Prince Heathen and his gang, she stands up for herself and her son , but Prince Heathen is besotted by her but she hates him. We do not find out what finally happens but she is still with us.

Matty Groves - Fairport Convention

Lord Donald’s wife entices Matty Groves into her bed, but Lord Donald’s manservant runs to tell him what has happened, and Lord Donald is standing at the head of the bed and challenges Matty to a duel. The outcome is not in doubt. Then Lord Donald turns to his wife and kills her as well before burying the pair together , her on top as she was “of noble kin”

John Barleycorn - Traffic

A beautiful rendition of this song of three assassins with a vow to kill John Barleycorn.The murder is long and drawn out but John Barleycorn survives the murder attamptand rises from his apparent death. This is not the end of his suffering and more men cone to cut him with shears and pitchforks, and flay him alive before grinding him between two millstones.

I am not sure if this is some kind of personification of the barley crop, as I do not hear what crime John Barleycorn has committed, but maybe I just don’t see the answer. This is just my impression.

Fire Down Below - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds

A Sweary Sea Shanty about the dangers of STDs for sailors, and their involvement with the parson’s daughter who condemns them all to the fires of hell. Despite this being the most violent sound on this list it is probably one of least violent of these songs.

The Oxford Girl - Oysterband

Another tale of a girl taken advantage of and then denigrated for getting pregnant and bringing dishonour to her patriarchal rapist. The woman is always the one to take the blame, even to this day. I think this is also known as The Knoxville Girl and other titles.

Where Did You Sleep Last Night - Leadbelly

Essentially a violent man threatening a girl. Someone’s husband has been murdered violently, whether it’s the girl in the presence of her violent lover or not, I am not sure but this song carries a great deal of threat.

Stagger Lee - Mississippi John Hurt

This has been dressed up in many forms including Lloyd Price’s rock and roll take making it possibly one of the most upbeat murder song that you will ever hear.

Conclusion

Although I started in the UK, and I have missed many songs, the inclusion of “Prince Heathen” and “Matty Groves” would have been enough blood and abuse for most people. I hope these have opened your eyes a little and make you wasnt to go a little further into the violent world of folk music and murder ballads.