We explore the mutation of women’s names in English-language folksongs. From Mary to Polly to Molly.
Following the development of songs as they moved from England to Ireland and North America, we can trace their path using the names of the women in the songs. We also explore the split between a supernatural ballad and a murder ballad, with the murder ballad being a solidly American musical form. Of course, the style has spread far and wide and into all kinds of languages since its beginnings in early American news ballads.
| Track Name | Artist | Album | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Molly Vaughn
|
Phantom Voices | Peace by Peace | 2018 |
|
The White Hare
|
Jo Philby | Beneath the Starry Sky | 2012 |
|
Forest Sounds, Pt. 17 (Continuous No Gaps)
|
White Noise Radiance | 10 Hours of Continuous Forest Sounds | 2021 |
|
Pretty Polly Oliver
|
Jody Stecher | Song Links 2: A Celebration of English Traditional Songs and Their American Variants | 2005 |
|
Handsome Cabin Boy
|
Gordon Bok | A Tune for November | 1970 |
|
Polly on the Shore
|
Martin Carthy; Dave Swarbrick | Prince Heathen | 1969 |
|
Ocean Noise
|
Calm Places | Ocean Waves for Deep Sleep and Relaxation | 2021 |
|
The Cruel Ships Carpenter
|
Jackie Oates | Jackie Oates | 2006 |
|
Pretty Polly
|
Béla Fleck; Abigail Washburn | Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn | 2014 |
|
The House Carpenter
|
Peggy Seeger | Folk Songs of Courting and Complaint | 1955 |
|
The Swan (Saint-Saëns)
|
Camille Saint-Saëns; Yo-Yo Ma; Kathryn Stott | The Swan (Saint-Saëns) | 2015 |
|
Molly Malone
|
Bastard Bearded Irishmen | Bastard Bearded Irishmen | 2011 |
|
Molly Durkin
|
Murty Rabbett | Ballinasloe Fair - Early Recordings Of Irish Music In America | 1929 |
|
Cricket Sounds, Pt. 77 (Continuous No Gaps)
|
White Noise Radiance | 10 Hours of Continuous Cricket Sounds | 2021 |
|
Death Is Not the End
|
Cockersdale | Wide Open Skies | 1997 |