Recordings & Info 185. Dick o the Cow
CONTENTS:
[There are no known recordings of this ballad]
1) Alternative Titles
2) Traditional Ballad Index
3) Excerpt from The British Traditional Ballad in North America by Tristram Coffin 1950, from the section A Critical Biographical Study of the Traditional Ballads of North America
ATTACHED PAGES: (see left hand column)
1) Roud No. 4012: Dick o' the Cow (11 Listings)
Alternative Titles
Dick o' the Cow
Traditional Ballad Index: Dick o the Cow [Child 185]
NAME: Dick o the Cow [Child 185]
DESCRIPTION: Johnnie Armstrong decides on a raid, but has little luck. He is advised to steal the three kye of Dick o the Cow, a "fool." Dick seeks redress; when denied, he makes off with horses in exchange for his cattle, and finally gets a reward from his master
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST_DATE: 1775 (Percy papers)
KEYWORDS: horse revenge robbery family
FOUND_IN: Britain(Scotland)
REFERENCES: (4 citations)
Child 185, "Dick o the Cow" (1 text)
Bronson 185, "Dick o the Cow" (1 version)
Leach, pp. 498-504, "Dick o the Cow" (1 text)
OBB 142, "Dick o' the Cow" (1 text)
Roud #4012
NOTES: This ballad may have some roots in history, but had clearly been magnified beyond recognition and become rather confused in the process. Child has various speculations; most are possible but none really convincing. - RBW
Excerpt from The British Traditional Ballad in North America
by Tristram Coffin 1950, from the section A Critical Biographical Study of the Traditional Ballads of North America
185. DICK THE COW
In Focus (Farmville, Va.), V, 297, Reed Smith notes that this ballad "had been found in Missouri. Johnnie Armstrong steals Dick's three cows. Dick retaliates gloriously". I have not seen a text.