features in: Album Chart of 1954 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1950s |

Another enchanting set from the talented Jean Ritchie, steeped in the ancient ballads of the British Isles and mainland Europe. Album highlight “Nottamun Town” is an English folk song which possibly dates from the late medieval period, possibly brought to America from England. On hearing Jean’s excellent version, Bob Dylan borrowed the melody for his 1963 song “Masters of War”, found on his LP “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”. The song is fairly popular in the English Midlands, particularly in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Southern Yorkshire and Northamptonshire, which lends credence to the theory that the Nottamun in the song is a corruption of Nottingham. Theories abound as to the meaning of the song, but two are generally accepted as probable: 1. That it derives from the Feast of Fools or Mummers’ Plays and their absurd topsy-turvy worlds. 2. That it refers to the English Civil War. In this war, Charles I of England raised his first army around Nottingham and it may be a corruption of that city’s name that gives the song its title. On “The Hangman Song”, Mum and Dad turn up to see their son hang. They bring no gold much to the son’s dismay. True love turns up, pays the hangman in gold. Son’s price to pay? He must marry. There’s always a price to pay son… Jean’s a Capella reading of the several centuries-old ballad “False Sir John” is another highlight – he’s a dastardly character that one – beware pretty fair maids.
n.b. I had tried to digitally assemble this old album from the 2004 compilation CD “Mountain, Hearth And Home” which had claimed to include all the necessary material. Alas, it was a cruel trick, not as low down as False Sir John granted, but, still, pretty annoying all the same. Turns out 2 tracks are missing – “The Girl I Left Behind” and “Lonesome Dove”. Rating is therefore limited to 12 tracks in the meantime, and the album runtime remains unknown. Help!!!
The Jukebox Rebel
15–Aug–2013
Tracklist |
A1 | [01:19] ![]() |
A2 | [02:31] ![]() |
A3 | [01:41] ![]() |
A4 | [01:08] ![]() |
A5 | [04:02] ![]() |
A6 | [01:47] ![]() |
B1 | [01:14] ![]() |
B2 | [00:00] ![]() |
B3 | [00:59] ![]() |
B4 | [01:04] ![]() |
B5 | [00:00] ![]() |
B6 | [02:09] ![]() |
B7 | [02:28] ![]() |
B8 | [01:35] ![]() |