Henry Martin (song)
Encyclopedia
"Henry Martin" is a traditional Scottish folk song
about a youngest brother who turns pirate to support his older brothers. The first known printed version dates from the early 17th century and consisted of 82 verses describing the exploits of the freebooter Sir Andrew Barton
and his two brothers, Robert and John. Barton was captured on August 2, 1511 and subsequently beheaded. His story appears as Child Ballad 167. Over the years, through oral tradition, the song has been shortened and the name of the protagonist changed from Andrew Barton to Henry Martin. In this form, the tale is Child Ballad 250. In "The Folk Handbook" pub 2007, it states that the song has been widely collected from singers in England and North America, and is represented in Wales by the singing of Phil Tanner. It notes that, surprisingly, given the opening line "There were three brothers in Merry Scotland," there is just a single existing record from Scotland where the hero is given the name 'Robin Hood'.
Musician and folklorist A. L. Lloyd
described Henry Martin as "one of the most-sung ballads of our time." It has been recorded, amongst others, by Joan Baez
, Donovan
, Bert Jansch
, Figgy Duff
, Sherwood, (Sam Larner), ((Phil Tanner)) and Broadside Electric
on their album Black-edged Visiting Card
.
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....
about a youngest brother who turns pirate to support his older brothers. The first known printed version dates from the early 17th century and consisted of 82 verses describing the exploits of the freebooter Sir Andrew Barton
Andrew Barton
Sir Andrew Barton served as High Admiral of the Kingdom of Scotland. Notorious in England and Portugal as a 'pirate', Barton was a seaman who operated under the aegis of a letter of marque on behalf of the Scottish crown, and is therefore more widely described as a privateer...
and his two brothers, Robert and John. Barton was captured on August 2, 1511 and subsequently beheaded. His story appears as Child Ballad 167. Over the years, through oral tradition, the song has been shortened and the name of the protagonist changed from Andrew Barton to Henry Martin. In this form, the tale is Child Ballad 250. In "The Folk Handbook" pub 2007, it states that the song has been widely collected from singers in England and North America, and is represented in Wales by the singing of Phil Tanner. It notes that, surprisingly, given the opening line "There were three brothers in Merry Scotland," there is just a single existing record from Scotland where the hero is given the name 'Robin Hood'.
Musician and folklorist A. L. Lloyd
A. L. Lloyd
Albert Lancaster Lloyd , usually known as A. L. Lloyd or Bert Lloyd, was an English folk singer and collector of folk songs, and as such was a key figure in the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s....
described Henry Martin as "one of the most-sung ballads of our time." It has been recorded, amongst others, by 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....
, Donovan
Donovan
Donovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...
, Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
Herbert "Bert" Jansch was a Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle. He was born in Glasgow and came to prominence in London in the 1960s, as an acoustic guitarist, as well as a singer-songwriter...
, Figgy Duff
Figgy Duff
Figgy Duff was a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland. They played a major role in the Newfoundland cultural renaissance of the 1970s and 80s. Formed in 1976 by Noel Dinn, who named the band after a kind of traditional white pudding, Figgy Duff travelled across Newfoundland, learning...
, Sherwood, (Sam Larner), ((Phil Tanner)) and Broadside Electric
Broadside Electric
Broadside Electric are an American electric folk band from Philadelphia. Formed in 1990, they are still active in 2011...
on their album Black-edged Visiting Card
Black-edged Visiting Card
Black-edged Visiting Card is the title of the first album by Broadside Electric. It was released on December 1, 1992 in the United States.-Track listing:#New York Girls / Yoshke / Sailor's Hornpipe – 5:57...
.
Notable recordings
- Burl IvesBurl IvesBurl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was an American actor, writer and folk music singer. As an actor, Ives's work included comedies, dramas, and voice work in theater, television, and motion pictures. Music critic John Rockwell said, "Ives's voice .....
on Wayfaring StrangerThe Wayfaring Stranger (1944 Asch album)The Wayfaring Stranger is an album consisting of three 10-inch records by Burl Ives. It was released in 1944, but it should not be confused with Ives' The Wayfaring Stranger , which was also released in 1944 but contains different songs...
(1944) - Sherwood on "The Favourite Songs of Henry VIII" (2008)