Feb 2022 traditional ballad
A song for the "Write a song in Traditional Ballad style".
For this one I have imagined a song in a traditional vein, but as handled by a folk rock group like "Steeleye Span" or "Fairport Convention. Pity I don't play the fiddle though.
(Bm) She was well known as a healer
And as a (D) midwife (A) did her (Bm) task
If you suffered from some ailment
All you (D) had to do was (F#m) ask
She'd pres(Bm)cribe some herbal remedy
And (D) advise on its em(A)ploy
She could (Bm) tell with uncanny certainty
If your (D) babe would (A) be a (Bm) boy
She (Bm) lived up on the outskirts
Where the (D) forest (A) met the (Bm) town
Never known to seek a husband
(D) That was Lily Mc(F#m)Gowan
When the (Bm) rumours circulated
She never (D) countered the at(A)tack
The (Bm) wagging tongues of spinsters
Were (D) water (A) off a duck's (Bm) back
She be(Bm)friended an old deep black crow
That (D) pecked at her (A) window (Bm) pane
On one cold winter's morning
When the (D) snow had turned to (F#m) rain
Jed (Bm) said it was her familiar
That she (D) surely was a (A) witch
But (Bm) many just ignored him
Since he (D) was a (A) lying (Bm) snitch
SOLO
The (Bm) black plague out of nowhere
One (D) evil (A) month it (Bm) came
Townsfolk died like flies and
(D) Lily got the (F#m) blame
Ac(Bm)cused of seeking vengeance
For (D) insults she never (A) heard
The (Bm) mob burned down her cottage
Killing (D) Lily (A) and her (Bm) bird
Some (Bm) say the ghost of Lily
(D) Haunts the (A) Rose and (Bm) Crown
The pub built on the ruins
Of the (D) cottage they burnt (F#m) down
The (Bm) forest's now long vanished
Be(D)neath a housing es(A)tate
But that (Bm) Lily was an evil witch
Is be(D)lieved be(A)yond de(Bm)bate
@mahtowin Mar 2022
A song about a mighty woman called a witch. Mighty cause she was a healer and was living independent. With a black bird.
A woman doing weird things living outside the society - sometimes I feel things didn't changed so much ...
Very touching lyrics.
@ambroise Mar 2022
I like the objective perspective of the story : no judgment and all facts, on this example from a dark page of history.
The story alone is a page tur... a verse chainer!?
Love the flute and the electric guitar that made me think of a bagpipe.
There is also a hidden treat in the rythm section. What is this high pitched string instrument playing short upbeat chords ? Ukulele, mandolin, banjo... ?
@wylddandelyon Mar 2022
Very nice! All you need is some people singing harmony, well, and I suppose that fiddle player, to sound like Steeleye Span or Fairport Convention. The lyrics make me think of the kinds of songs Harry Chapin wrote.
#tit4tat if you're doing that.
@elainedimasi Feb 2022
Love me my Fairport/Steeleye, every hedge witch should have a bunch of electric guitars around. Why else lie in wait along the side of the path with candy, if the guitarists can't DO anything for you once you ensnare them?
Great story. Oh - - - they also killed the crow. That is a gut punch, as all ballads in this vein should deliver. Well done.
The end is so fitting too. Here it is all paved and pretty and corporate and we still blame the witch for things. Really glad I came and heard this!
@roblincoln Feb 2022
Love this! Perfect for Steel-Eye- Span. Sad story and all too plausible. Nice recorder playing!
@leakyplusme2 Feb 2022
I love this. I would love you to do one of mine called
That Forsaken Place ( Van Diemen’s Land )
https://fawm.org/songs/129025/
@chipwithrow Feb 2022
As I listened, I had to read ahead in the lyrics because the story is so compelling.
What an expert marrying of words and music in the ballad tradition. And then that swell guitar solo - wow!
@tseaver Feb 2022
Nice write! Outlines the way that folk opinion can turn on a dime, with no basis at all. The recorder / pennywhistle helps set the mood, with a nice contrast in the guitar solo.
@janeg Feb 2022
Well done! I can hear the Steeleye Span influence quite strongly but you have told your own story. Sadly one that has happened thousands of times but your unique details keep it interesting.
@owl Feb 2022
I think you nailed the Steeleye Span/Fairport Convention type folk rock sound! This definitely does sound like a traditional ballad given the modern instrumentation treatment. Good storytelling and it fits well in the style.
@jorh Feb 2022
How you build a character in your writing is truly amazing - there’s so much detail in the lyric that invests us in lily and the story. Loving that last verse as well, the time jump is super effective as we see how the ‘myth’ was born in the preceding story
@lissielou79 Feb 2022
Love this sound, it reminds me of sitting by the fire listening to stories being sung. Nice.
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
Really fun, interesting and melodic song :) I really enjoyed my listen. I was surprised by the electric guitar interlude, but yes, it fits :)
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
this song would be a highlight in the repertoire of fairport convention, steeleye span, pentangle, or any one of those UK folk rock groups. i love the lyrics, your singing, and all the solos on different instruments
@dutch1967 Feb 2022
This was a fun listen! I was kind of hoping for a little more on Lily's revenge, but it's refreshing the song doesn't just go on after the point was made.
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
Ahhh yes this is superb. It sounds so traditional but has a kind of up to date feel. Lyrics are brilliant . The great thing is that i could imagine a more rock folk band like levellers diong this on electrics as well thereby proving its a brilliant tune. Really enjoyed this
@majordanby Feb 2022
Your songs sound like they have always been. You get drawn into your story telling and the infectious nature of your song construction. You lyrics are clever and funny in places.
@cblack Feb 2022
Now this is fun! Great job!
Those lyrics are brilliant. Poor witches...
@timfatchen Feb 2022
Doing the folkrock path was a great way to go! This would perform a treat (sez he, fondling his recorder). Great story--and the cruelty and sadness of the continued libel. Applause! Downloaded! {EDIT dammit put your NAME in the filename!!!]
@pabrizzer Feb 2022
good tale berni
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
What a fantastic song, Berni! I am a huge fan of story-telling lyrics and when words and music match that nicely together as they do here, the result is simply amazing. I love the catchy tune with its Medieval touch, yet for some reason, I also here south-American influences here.... Wonderfully done!
@gardeningangel1 Feb 2022
I suspect that Lily McGowan ghost wrote this song with you... ;)
Love the energy of that driving folk-rock beat, the recorder on the refrain, the wild and witchy guitar solo... and what a story!!! Beautifully done all-round, adding this to my library.
@allaboutgeorge Feb 2022
Nothing like a story in a song!
@sheilerk Feb 2022
Is this a historical character, or one you developed from historical knowledge? Either way, I love her! And her song!!
@oaksnprairie Feb 2022
A jaunty melody with a tragic story. Nice job!
@unkept Feb 2022
Really enjoy the melodies and you do a great job with the story and imagery.
@nadine Feb 2022
I don't know Steeleye Span but it has something of Shantys. Catchy as hell, easy to sing along and a telling a great story. I like that you used a whistle and guitar both as solo instruments. Well crafted.
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Wow, that was definitely of the Steeleye Span flavor. Really like the combination of instruments, clever rhymes and the throughline of the story to the present day. And to show that Lily never should have been treated that way!
@gmcgath Feb 2022
Much of that story really happened, far too many times. Nice instrumental work.
@terenziano Feb 2022
Oh yes! Jethro Tull meets Steeleye Span with a Lizzy Whiskey In The Jar solo. Excellent.