John of Hazelgreen- Brother (KY-APP) 1932 Niles
[From The Ballad Book; John Jacob Niles; 1961. There are times I grow weary of Niles, and this is one of them. After listening to his recording- it's just too much, too much poetry, too much angst, the melodic flourishes, the emphatic consonants- too much. As far as this version it seems a bit much also, the lengthy story of Uncle Brother, and the lengthy ballad, too much, just too much. It's certainly well crafted but authentic? Too much, too much.
And that is the problem- because we just don't know, what's too much and what isn't. After all, Scott re-created this ballad, why not Niles? Too much, too much.
R. Matteson 2014]
John of Hazelgreen (Niles No. 63)- as sung by Uncle Brother in 1932, somewhere between "the salt sea and Tennessee" but probably it's from Kentucky. Collected by Niles.
Oh early, early in sweet May, the sun had not yet shone,
I chanced upon a maiden fair who made a heavy moan.
"Why make you yet this heavy moan, and what doth all this mean?"
But all that she would ever say was "John of Hazelgreen."
"You're welcome to my house and lands, and here I do confide
That you may have my eldest son to take you for his bride."
"I do not want your eldest son, for I am far too mean,
And I intend to bride no one but John of Hazelgreen."
"What for a man is Hazelgreen, what for a man is he?"
"He is the lord of all our kin, who live in this country.
with arms so long and shoulders broad, as fair as e'er was seen,
with hair that hangs like links of gold, my John of Hazelgreen."
He tuck her by the lily hand and led her to the town,
He bought a sweep-tail petticoat, and hit did trail the ground.
But silk and satin hit did pale agin her lovely sheen,
And all the while she made a moan for John of Hazelgreen.
As they did ride the lengthy lane that took them from the town,
out stepped John of Hazelgreen and helped his lady down.
Ah, forty times he kissed her cheek and forty times her chin,
And forty times he kissed her lips as he did lead her in.
"My son, my son, go hold your tongue, let talk and mournin' be,
For here I've brought a fair young maid who wants no one but thee.
Today shall be your wedding day, and you shall dance this e'en.
Here's health and happiness to all who live in Hazelgreen!"