[FM] Sisters who can't swim

[GeneS5@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/11/01 12:01:00 PM, folkmusic-admin@grassyhill.org 
writes:

>Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 00:20:04 EST
>To: folkmusic@grassyhill.org
>Subject: [FM] Wind and the rain
>Reply-To: folkmusic@grassyhill.org
>
>In a message dated 12/7/01 12:01:38 PM, folkmusic-admin@grassyhill.org
>writes:
>
><< Anyway, here's the Garcia/Dead version which looks similar
>to the Gillian Welch/songcatcher version: >>
>
>intersting -- those lyrics quoted are actually a combination of verses
>from 
>the Irish originated Child Ballad "The Two Sisters" as well as "The Wind
>and 
>the Rain".
>
>The first two verses don't really belong with the rest of the song.
>
>The folk process in action.......(borrowed  or "floating" verses) :)
>
>Robin Greenstein


    One of the medleys I've been planning for my radio show next week 
revolves around murder by drowning---the old fashioned way, by throwing a 
maiden into the river. The Child Ballad "Two Sisters" makes use of that 
convenient method for one sister to get rid of a another. 
    In other narratives a maiden is robbed, then murdered by a "false knight" 
type guy---again, by pushing her into the drink. And in some variants the 
miller pulls the drowning girl onto the shore steals her jewelry and then 
throws her back in again.

The Golden Ring/Rollin a Rollin (The Barkshire Tragedy)/A Gathering of 
Friends For Making Music/Folk Legacy
Hilary James/Two Sisters/Burning Sun/Acoustic-UK
Pete Seeger/The False Knight Upon The Road/The Bitter And The Sweet/Columbia

    In the ballad Pete Seeger sings,  the maiden turns the tables on the 
ingrate and pushes him off the river bank. Hooray! Ain't folk music fun!

    Gene Shay/WXPN, Philadelphia