Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies
Encyclopedia
"Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies" (aka "Tiny Sparrow" or "Little Sparrow") is an American folk music
ballad
, originating from the Appalachia
n region. It has been recorded under either of its two title variations by numerous artists, including The Carter Family, Joan Baez
, Odetta
, Peter, Paul and Mary
, Emmylou Harris
, and Dolly Parton
. The title of the song varies from recording to recording and prior to the 1960s, the song was usually known as "Tiny Sparrow" or "Little Sparrow". In more recent times, the song's title sometimes finds "Maidens" substituted for "Ladies," and "Come All Ye" or "Come All You" sometimes omitted.
In 2010, Marideth Sisco performed a portion of the song in the film Winter's Bone
.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
, originating from the Appalachia
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
n region. It has been recorded under either of its two title variations by numerous artists, including The Carter Family, Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
, Odetta
Odetta
Odetta Holmes, known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement". Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals...
, Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary were an American folk-singing trio whose nearly 50-year career began with their rise to become a paradigm for 1960s folk music. The trio was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers...
, Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, and Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
. The title of the song varies from recording to recording and prior to the 1960s, the song was usually known as "Tiny Sparrow" or "Little Sparrow". In more recent times, the song's title sometimes finds "Maidens" substituted for "Ladies," and "Come All Ye" or "Come All You" sometimes omitted.
In 2010, Marideth Sisco performed a portion of the song in the film Winter's Bone
Winter's Bone
Winter's Bone is a 2010 American independent drama film, an adaptation of Daniel Woodrell's 2006 novel of the same name. The film was written and directed by Debra Granik and stars Jennifer Lawrence...
.