Edward (ballad)

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Edward is a traditional murder ballad existing in several variants, collected by Francis James Child as Child ballad number 13.

[edit] Synopsis

A mother questions her son about the blood on his sword. He puts her off with claims that it is his horse, his dog, his hawk, in some combination, but finally admits that it is either his brother or his father whom he killed. He declares that he is leaving and will never return. His wife and children will have to fend for themselves; he predicts the children will beg. It usually ends with a bitter curse on the mother for her part in it.

[edit] Parallels in other languages

This ballad type also was found in Northen Europe where it is often known as Svend i Rosensgård or under a similar name. Its general Scandinavian classification is TSB D 320; and it is known in Danish (DgF 340) in Danish, Icelandic (IFkv 76), Norwegian, and Swedisn (SMB 153).

In the Scandinavian versions, the stress is more on the gradual divulgence of the fact that the son will never return home to his mother; there is no condemnation of the mother.

[edit] Adaptations

Johannes Brahms used the poem twice in his ballades, in opus 10 and opus 75.
Steeleye Span recorded a version of 'Edward', arranged in a 'question and answer' format by Bob Johnson on the 1986 album Back in Line.
Amps for Christ recorded a version on their 1999 album 'Circuits'