A man called Justus Begley taught this song to the Ritchie family. He was recorded singing it in 1937 - here is a link to the recording: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z6qmw9Vvh83RpM4.html

Rest in Peace dearest Jean. You helped 'our' roots run deep and gave voice to our Eastern Kentucky.

Soul music.

Jean Ritchie is an American treasure and a cultural icon. Yesterday I read the obituary of Doc Watson in the NYTimes. Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson performed together and recorded together. They represent the very very best of the American Appalachian and folk tradition. The wonderful thing about the English ballad tradition is that they spread the news, told stories that had to be told. They are proto-journalism and delightful music!

Wonderful poetry: "I dreamed my hall was-a filled with wild swine & my true love was swimmin' in blood". How's that for a thought?

@TheFolkRevivalProject

2 жыл бұрын

I love that line as well! It gives me chills. You might be interested that man called Justus Begley actually taught this song to the Ritchie family. He was recorded singing it in 1937 - here is a link to the recording: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z6qmw9Vvh83RpM4.html

I just love Jean! I love her accent, it reminds me of home and I'm glad she didn't smooth it out for her singing. I heard on the radio the other day how a lot of stereotypes about hillbillies started when the coal companies came. Also, when I listen or read about Jean, I can't help but think about Bill O'Reilly's comments about Appalachia and how these people should just leave their culture to end their poverty. Jean is an inspiration and proves him wrong!

@patriciafry8634

Ай бұрын

Agreed. But she is a Mountain singer, not a hillbilly.

This is in the francis James Child Collection of ballads of the English Speaking World. Compiled in the 1800s. This is roots music sung widely throughout the hollers of the Southern Mtns.

Fabulous performance. She's the finest folk singer America ever produced, head and shoulders above the others, even Pete and Woody

@Bnswiss Both Francis Child and Cecil Sharp, two of the greatest collectors of English traditional song, have versions from North America and England and there's one hand copied version dating from the 1600's in the Percy Folio, which is all a pedantic way of saying the song started in England.

This song is very reminiscent of the old English ballad Matty Groves. Both are great songs!

@reymohammed7040

2 жыл бұрын

That "standing at his bed feet" verse is definitely similar. I heard a version (in my rather long life) where she was no ghost when she arrived: "Kiss me on my white forehead Kiss me on my cheek Kiss me on my ruby lips And lie in my arms to sleep". He's kissed her on her white forehead He's kissed her on her cheek He's kissed the poison from her lips And lain in her arms to sleep. That is clearly a later version, both from the greater regularity and the loss of the supernatural element.

So sad to say goodbye (for now) to dear Jean Ritchie. How blessed we were in her music!

Hi Constance The instrument is an Appalachian or Mountain Dulcimer; you can see pictures of them in the photos that accompany this video. Its a nineteenth century folk instrument that developed in the Appalachians, probably influenced by some earlier European instruments.

The motif of the sprouting plants intertwined on the graves is in many traditional songs and stories of the British Isles, Lord Lovel is another prominent one. But I recent found out the motif was already present is the medieval story of Tristan and Iseult, and even older than that some Irish medieval tales. The oldest example recorded in writing seems to be in the story of Baucis and Philemon by Ovid.

How sad that she has now died, but what a wonderful legacy she has left. You must be proud to have compiled such a wonderful tribute to her musical achievement. Great that she could keep her own cultural heritage alive and bring it to such a wide national and international audience. Thank you.

I've been listening to Jean for 45+ years and this is a favourite ballad.

didn't realize she passed.. more and more of the best going over

@elvis4onyx Bluegrass originated from the 1930s and 40s. This is the original tradition of the pioneers who settled in the Southeast and the Appalachians. This music was carried over from the Scotch-Irish-English and melted together with the traditions of the African slaves. It is know as "Appalachian" or "ole time" music.

its haunting. i can just imagine someone singing this ddep in the appalachians at twilight time...shivers down the spine. reminds me of those mysteries set there... like ballad of frankie ?

The end part is also in the ballad of Barbara Allen

This isn't bluegrass, it's an English ballad carried to North America and predates bluegrass by a century or two. Look on youtube for Ralph Stanley for bluegrass. Sad to say, except with folk fanatics, Jean isn't very famous in America. "Lady gaga" is famous, Jean Ritchie isn't. Go figure. The good news is, in a century people will still listen to Jean.

@patriciafry8634

Ай бұрын

Yes, Mountain singing

She and her late husband George contributed much to American culture.

That is, (or was, as it is gone in most parts of Appalachia,) real culture, given way to greed for coal, oil, gas and wood. It's sad that today the culture of the US is "runaway energy consumption," driven by greed and selfishness. And to think, most look down upon what is real and decent and good and characterize it as backward and unwanted. Thanks for a great video of a true American Artist!

I am so glad she put out so many records in her lifetime. She was an inspiration. RIP Jean Ritchie. I wish I could have met you...

@seaotteR79 Unfortunatly, most people in America don't respect this tradition of music. But she is one of the main preservers of the original tradition of music in America. This music is a melting pot of the original cultures in the beginning, the Scotch-Irish-English, Native Americans, and African traditions.

People are calling this old time mountain music "bluegrass" which it is not. This style predates bluegrass, and good luck finding a dulcimer in bluegrass.

@acapellapatrick

8 жыл бұрын

+Humpy Or hearing a dulcimer if you can find it

@humpy936

8 жыл бұрын

Yes, not a whole lot of people making or playing them these days.

@DougieLink

4 жыл бұрын

@@humpy936 true, it's like calling banjo picking Blue Grass, men like Doc Bogs were picking the banjo way before "Blue Grass".

@owenwiggs2615

4 жыл бұрын

I like both pretty well

@jazzchromaticdulcimer4223

2 жыл бұрын

@@humpy936 not true. The dulcimer community is actually thriving now!

I'm an Aussie - but there is just something about Appalachian music!

I learned the dulcimer from one of her spiral bound books back in the early 60s, but I never heard her perform until about 10 years ago on KZread. If not for KZread, I probably never would have heard her perform. I never realized that she was only 3 years younger than my mother. I was raised in the industrial north east near Niagara Falls, far from Jean's mountain music culture, but I always was drawn to the old time ballads. Thanks for posting this.

Thank you for keeping the tradition alive.

so beautiful! this is one of my favorite ballads ever

I used to love playing this on my fiddle.

LOL! I love your comment even though I like Gaga. Lady Gaga doesn't make me empty a box of kleenex, re-examine my life, wonder what it must have sounded like up close, bring back things I didn't even borrow(I got that one from Ohioboy something or other. Ain't it cool?). When I grow up I want to be like Jean Ritchie! She also writes and sings about mountain life. I've been listening to her all morning and now I have to go to the store because I'm out of kleenex and toilet paper too.

Jean is 85 years old now and I learned that she had a stroke earlier this week. Please send prayers, good thoughts, and love!

Just found her tonight. Absolutely delighted. Laughing my ass off at this incredibly beautiful music.

@TheFolkRevivalProject

2 жыл бұрын

A man called Justus Begley taught this song to the Ritchie family. He was recorded singing it in 1937 - here is a link to the recording: kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z6qmw9Vvh83RpM4.html

I love it

Excellent! *****

She is not that famous in the U.S., except with people who are really into folk. However, the Americans who like her music are way into it. With major American folk music fans, she is a legend.

Very, very nice, indeed! The song is akin to one of my fav old tunes, "Barbree Allen." I have not heard of Jean Ritchie before thus, what have I been missing! Thanks for the post!

This is lovely. Thank you for posting it. I must chase up the Smithsonian holdings of her work.

That's awesome. I just happened to see something about her on some folk music documentary that was on a cable channel in the 90's. I'm really glad I did.

She is actually 87, now, and just had a birthday. I hope she recovers from the stroke.

Thanks for replying, Hooptie, I've bought several of her records since posting that comment and my opinion hasn't changed. Wonderful.

Great stuff. Getting into "Old Time" stuff. Like what I'm hearing.

i am Greek...but I seek music because I like to hear deferent tunes from all over the world .. this one is so delicate!!! and if I may does it has any kind of roots from Ireland or somewhere there? somehow it gives me that vibe and the instrument what is it called? thank you in advance to whom will answer my (stupid) questions

@promitheas32

9 жыл бұрын

jay c my friend thank you very much for the information , I knew that English-Irish-Scotish and then French and for sure the Spanish was colonized the continent I didn't know in this Appalachia area which ones went so you cleared my mind thank you again for your time

@dolphinsoccer4

9 жыл бұрын

promitheas32 The Scots-Irish, an community of ethnically-Irish people from Ulster, Ireland were the main settlers of the region.

@jake875711

9 жыл бұрын

Dru Branch true...my mother came from eastern Tenn...I have gotten 2 dna tests done and I'm being told that I'm western Irish...along the Irish coast... thanks for posting...

@jake875711

9 жыл бұрын

hey...I believe so...somewhere it said that the history of those folks from that area was Irish/ Scottish...as I ma...I'm 87% Irish...you're welcome...

@humpy936

8 жыл бұрын

Scots/Irish people are originally from Scotland and England who went to Northern Ireland to settle and then to America, they were predominantly Protestant, and not Catholic as are most native Irish.

famous to many,but american idol seemed to miss her some how. the isles are a source of much of 'our' traditional music.

Fantastic. Is she famous in America? I'm from England and I'd never heard of her till about a month ago when I saw a programme about American folk music on BBC4. She shoudl be better known over here, especially as there are obviously British roots to this song. What a gorgeous voice!

@bobtaylor170

7 жыл бұрын

seaotteR79 No, she wasn't famous here because America is a nation comprising mainly tasteless dolts.

yep

Bridget from the Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare brought me here :D

Can anyone tell me what instrument she's playing. Love the sound!

Bluegrass was an outgrowth of this music, and the music was brought to the "new world" by the Scots-Irish.

very haunting

@coy0te9 Not to contradict you but the cadence and instrument ( Appalachian dulcimer) are used in Bluegrass and since Bluegrass is a derivation of Scottish, English, Welshand Irish traditional music it technically is Bluegrass.

Where did you find all these photos? Many are familiar to me (my father took most of them), but there are some I've never seen. Did you take them yourself? Nice video.

Does anyone know what dulcimer tuning she's using?

Hi Elvis4Onyx, Coyote9 is right, Jean is considered America/Appalachian Folk music. If you enjoy this song check out the Jean Ritchie CD "Ballads from Her Appalachian Family Tradition". It's an awesome CD, check my other videos for Doc Watson, he's another great folk artist. Amazon carries a ton of Jean Ritchie MP3's, check them out also.

Hi Elvis4Onyx, Thanks! Have a Merry Christmas too! :)

matty groves

diz flynn

Alright, lets not be ignorant. I love folk music, but Lady Gaga has left a mark on American music that will be just as important as this 200 years from now. I'm not a big fan of lady Gaga but I recognize her as creative and a big influence on contemporary pop music which is just as valid a form of music whether we like it or not. Also, underneath it all this song by Jean ritchie is basically a pop song... and that is awesome.

@bobtaylor170

7 жыл бұрын

There is no comparison between the two. None. Jean Ritchie was for the ages. Lady Gaga will be as relevant in twenty years as Madonna is now.

The real Maureen O'Hara singing

I tried the website and it's some interior designer's site (sadface). I'd really like to meet this wonderful woman... apparently i'm relations but the only person who'd know anything about it is passed on.... anyone have any information?

@bobtaylor170

7 жыл бұрын

Benjamin Roe Jean Ritchie died several years ago. You can, however, read her book.

@style5tie You think that might be a little harsh style5tie? an offense? And she just asked, she didnt even say it was.

@style5tie Funny you seemed to ignore your berating of the cadence. I also laugh at the fact that you seem so certain to discredit the idea that a dulcimer can be used in bluegrass. That is like saying if someone was to use a violin in rap music it is no longer rap. Tell me where does mountain music come from; possibly Scottish, English, Welshand Irish traditional music? There is no reason to be offended if someone is wrong please educate us and we can have an intelligent discussion.

1 dislike?! must've been a mistake.

If you like this watch a movie called "Songcatcher". It's kind of like a primer! Oh and get a box of kleenex and watch all the Jean Ritchie and Emmylou Harris and Iris Dement videos on youtube. Lots of freakin' kleenex! For bluegrass watch "oh brother, where art though" but keep in mind that George Clooney is lip syncing "Man of Constant Sorrow".

@coy0te9 Honestly, there's no need for you to put down a random pop musician to prove how great your folk musician is. I like both pop and folk, and I would really thumbs-up your comment if it weren't for the unnecessary rant at the end.

@michaelkubasek1 Sorry but the Appalachian Dulcimer has not and never will be used in Bluegrass. Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers; never had a dulcimer. This is outstanding mountain music which I love and to call it bluegrass is an offence to this music as well as bluegrass. Do some research. Bluegrass as a genre was created in the late 40's and became known by that name in the mid 50's. Music like this was being played long before The Bluegrass Boys took to the stage.

they'll still listen to gaga, too. does it really surprise you that someone who plays a regional music and probably hasn't done anything in decades (if she's still alive) is less relevant than someone who currently creates popular music?

@bobtaylor170

7 жыл бұрын

wilky1189 No, it doesn't surprise me that someone with great talent and great class is seen as "irrelevant" in these miserable times.

The difference is, these folk ballads have survived in one form or another for about four or five hundred years. Lady Gaga's stuff won't endure that long.

This is English .. But seen as some of the the Scotch Irish had English heritage maybe that's right. Strange they should be called Scotch Irish when they were never Irish.

@MrMusicguyma

7 жыл бұрын

Clearly this song is English-derived BUT Appalachian folk songs are an amalgam of English, Scottish and Irish roots and even some German (witness the lap dulcimer which arrived with Germans from Pennsylvania) Eventually, native New World "white" songs were created with a smattering of Afro-American and Native American contributions. Because of geographic isolation, poor roads, etc, folk culture there survived well into the 20th century. In 1913 and 1915 noted English folk song collector Cecil Sharp found many old English songs and lots of versions, being sung in the Southern Appalchians commonly that had died out in tradition in England. AND even before arriving in the USA, the song and tune culture of old home countries was a blend of English, Irish and Scottish songs being passed around. England was industrialized earlier and more heavily than Scotland and Ireland so the rural and aural folk culture servived there better. A lot of Scots crossed over after the 1745 Culodden defeat. There are a lot of American folk songs with "Charlie" verses, that date back to the Pretender, "Bonnie Prince Charles"' Stuart. Fun and fascinating to look into this stuff. Hard to asrcibe 'ownership. ;0)

@bobtaylor170

7 жыл бұрын

MrMusicguyma One of the best comments I've ever seen about anything online. Sir, you know whereof you speak.

@gurdyman1

7 жыл бұрын

Scots Irish is a name given to them, not one they wanted. They were protestant Scots forcibly moved to the Ulster area of Ireland by the English government. They didn't want to be be there, and the Catholic Irish didn't want them there, either. Many moved to the American colonies when they were able, as did many more for a couple of generations. They always considered themselves Scottish. Very few of the real Irish, who were mostly Catholic, made it to the mountains, where they would not have been welcomed by the very conservative protestant folks living there.

@maryplaidy6814

6 жыл бұрын

gurdyman1 You are so right. My mother's family, Andersons, were some of those hardrock Scots. They were brought to the royal colony of North Carolina in 1700. My father's family, O'Angluinn, were from County Cork. They left their Catholicism in Ireland.