Feb 2022 folk ballad cardchallenge acapella murderballad fauxtrad
So this is sort of... an animal revenge murder ballad?
Last night I happened to be reading a bit about the Child ballads, which are a foundational collection of ballads from the Anglo/Scottish folk tradition. Then this morning, as part of Dandelyon's Card Challenge, I was drawn a card called "The Christmas Rose", the imagery of which I guess merged with the style of the Child ballads that were still bumping around in my head and turned into something a touch more sinister. This song was a reach for me since my lyrics are usually much more imagistic than narrative. Come for the tuneless acapella, stay for the world's lamest guitar solo! lol
through the deepest wood rode a proud young man
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
to prize a doe's head for his sweet Evelyn
and under the white snow the black root grows
the snow was deep but the tracks were clear
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
he followed them close for his lady dear
and under the white snow the black root grows
the man found the doe 'neath a wide yew tree
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
shot her straight through the heart with arrows three
and under the white snow the black root grows
standing over his fallen prize
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
the man heard his Evelyn's voice reprise
and under the white snow the black root grows
"to adorn that doe's head bring me the reddest flower's bloom"
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
"and when you return I'll take you my groom"
and under the white snow the black root grows
the young man came down to his knees
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
and sought through the sleet at the bottom of the trees
and under the white snow the black root grows
bent to the ground he could find no bud
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
no blossom red as a wild beast's blood
and under the white snow the black root grows
all at once from the woods came a rush of hooves
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
the man went pale as a great hart ran true
and under the white snow the black root grows
through the man's heart drove an antler sharp
sleep, sleep, you winter rose
and his eyes went milk as the forest grew dark
and under the white snow the black root grows
the blood of the man and the blood of the doe
sleep, sleep you winter rose
like the reddest flower 'cross the ice did flow
and under the white snow the black root grows
@tageule Feb 2022
I love this. Sinister, traditionally repetitive - and a herbivore who has just had enough and turns into a killer. Straight up my alley.
@elainedimasi Feb 2022
I love the scary thought of the black root. We all know it is down there. We all know, but don't think, about what it makes us do and what might happen.
Your singing is very cool on this whole song. Kudos for that note change on the very last word of it.
And I love the story picking up pace, from the "bring me" to the rush of hooves. This is SO Celtic. "HIs eyes went milk" is brilliant.
@kendrakinsey Feb 2022
woah this is a great take on the classic ballad!
@sailingmagpie Feb 2022
Love it! You've absolutely nailed the tone of a Child ballad and I wasn't expecting the noise-y guitar explosion at all! "Under the white snow the black root grows," is such a great line to use for a refrain too. Great start!
This kind of reminds me of Joe the Quilt-Maker by Richard Dawson, if you don't already know it.
@cleanshoes Feb 2022
Oh, so good. I love every part of this. Your a capella delivery of these gorgeous, timeless lyrics is perfect. I found myself trying out harmonies by the end. The short guitar solo gives a modern twist to the song that I really enjoyed. Well done!
@wurzelfrau Feb 2022
Oh I'm so here for a good story and this was really really nice. So well written, and I loved the sinister touch. Well done!
@timfatchen Feb 2022
"...under the white snow the black root grows", wow! Excellent lyric, both story and choice of words and imagery and repetition and melody, fits the mode totally.
Which is why it's sad (to me) to see "Come for the tuneless...etc...lol" Please, don't murder your children before they've had a chance to mature?
@unpronounceable Feb 2022
Beautiful <3. "sleep, sleep you winter rose" is a lovely haunting line.
@devslev Feb 2022
Sounds like a Nick Cave type of murder ballad, really good and interesting!