- Henry Martin (song)
"Henry Martin" (or "Henry Martyn") 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 SirAndrew Barton and his two brothers, Robert and John. Barton was captured onAugust 2 ,1511 and subsequently beheaded. His story appears asChild 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. [A. L. Lloyd, "Folk Song in England", Paladin, 1975. p.259] In this form, the tale is Child Ballad 250.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, byJoan Baez ,Donovan ,Bert Jansch ,Figgy Duff , andBroadside Electric on their album "Black-edged Visiting Card ".References
External links
* [http://www.broadside.org/music/lyrics/henry.html Lyrics]
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ The Child Ballads]
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