Recordings and Information: No 1. Riddles Wisely Expounded
[In the US this rare ballad is known most commonly as "The Devil's Nine Questions." This is a series of riddles the Devil asks “the weaver’s bonny” that she must must solve or be taken off to Hell. Traditional versions of the ballad are rare in the US and curiously, although titled "Nine Questions", many US versions have only eight riddles or questions!
Bronson prints one US melody of "The Devil's Nine Questions" from Virginia collected in 1922 from Mrs. Rill Martin (reprinted from Traditional Ballads from Virginia). Lomax prints a similar melody collected from Texas Gladden which has been covered more recently by Elizabeth LaPrelle.
Mike Yates wrote, "We are told that Texas Gladden learnt her version of The Devil's Nine Question from the collector Alfreda Peel, who had previously noted the songs from a Mrs Rill Martin of Mechanicsburg, VA, before passing it on to Texas."
Another popular US riddle ballad is the "The Riddle Song" or "I Gave my Love a Cherry" which is a different riddle song (although John Jacob Niles "Riddle Song" is listed here under Child No. 1). "I Gave my Love a Cherry" is found in my collection as an appendix to another Child ballad with riddles- No. 46 Captain Wedderburn's Courtship.
For detailed notes about this ballad and Child's Headnotes (below) see British & Other Versions (attached to this page).
R. Matteson 2011]
CONTENTS on this page:
1) Alternative Titles
2) Traditional Ballad Index
3) Folk Index
4) List of recordings and prints sources from Child Collection
5) 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
6) Three Folk-Ballads and Tunes from Scarce Printed Sources; by A. G. Gilchrist (Three Sisters)
7) Discussion on "Lay the bent to the bonny broom"
8) Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music (Article with info)
9) More Recordings
10) FolkTrax
11) Cantefables A) Jamaican Song: Three Sisters 1907;
B) The Journal of American Folk-lore - Page 126; The Bride of the Evil One, 1898
C) The Devil's Marriage; JAFL 1917
12) Wiki
ATTACHED to this page (see on left hand column):
1) Roud No. 161: Riddle Wisely Expounded (51, 102, 255);">68 versions listed)(51, 102, 255);">
2) Riddles Wisely Expounded- Article by Toelken, 1966
3) Jennifer Gentle (Versions)
Alternative Titles
The Devil's Nine Questions
The Devil's Questions
Jennifer Gentle
There Was a Man Lived in the West
Traditional Ballad Index: Riddles Wisely Expounded [Child 1]
DESCRIPTION: A knight arrives to court three sisters. The youngest goes to bed with him. He promises to marry her if she can answer his riddles. She does, and he either marries her or is revealed as the Devil.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1680 (broadside, Bodleian 4o Rawl. 566(193))
KEYWORDS: courting Devil riddle marriage family questions
FOUND IN: US(Ap,NE,SE) Britain(England(North,West),Scotland)
REFERENCES (23 citations):
Child 1, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (5 texts)
Bronson 1, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (7 versions)
BarryEckstormSmyth pp. 429-430, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (scraps and notes only)
Flanders-Ancient1, pp. 45-50, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (1 text plus two riddle fragments possibly associated with this, 1 tune); also pp. 299-315, "Captain Wedderburn's Courtship" (3 texts plus two fragments, 5 tunes; the "A" text and the F fragment and tune are mixed with "Riddles Wisely Expounded")
Leach, pp. 47-51, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (3 texts)
McNeil-SFB2, pp. 116-118, "The Devil's Nine Questions" (1 text, 1 tune)
Davis-Ballads 1, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (1 text; 1 tune entitled "The Devil's Nine Questions") {Bronson's #5}
Davis-More 1, pp. 1-7, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (1 text plus an excerpt from another, 1 tune)
OBB 9, "The Riddling Knight" (1 text)
Friedman, p. 4, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (2 texts)
PBB 10, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (1 text)
Niles 1, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (3 texts, 3 tunes, but only the first, "The Devil's Questions," is Child 1)
Lomax-FSNA 86, "The Devil's Nine Questions" (1 text, 1 tune)
Chase, pp. 110-111, "The Devil's Questions" (1 text, 1 tune)
Hodgart, p. 25 ,"Riddles Wisely Expounded" (1 text)
Botkin-SoFolklr, p. 717, "The Devil's Nine Questions" (1 text, 1 tune)
Abrahams/Foss, pp. 86-87, "The Devil's Nine Questions" (1 text, 1 tune)
Chappell/Wooldridge II, pp. 80-81, "Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom" (1 tune, partial text)
Stokoe/Reay, pp. 56-57, "Lay the Bent to the Bonnie Broom" (1 text, 1 tune) {cf. Bronson's #1 and its comments on Bruce/Stokoe}
Darling-NAS, pp. 18-19, "Riddles Wisely Expounded" (1 text)
BBI, ZN2508, "There was a Lady of the North-Country"
DT 1, JNFRGNTL BONBROMQ* DEVLNINE *
ADDITIONAL: Walter de la Mare, _Come Hither_, revised edition, 1928; #343, "There Was a Knight" (1 text)
ST C001 (Full)
Roud #161
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, 4o Rawl. 566(193), "A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded" or "The Maids Answer to the Knights Three Questions", F. Coles (London), 1674-1679; also Douce Ballads 2(168b), "A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded" or "The Maids Answer to the Knights Questions"
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "I Gave My Love a Cherry"
SAME TUNE:
"Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom" (tune, per broadsides Bodleian 4o Rawl. 566(193) and Douce Ballads 2(168b) -- though that may be just the "tune name" for this song)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Jennifer Gentle
There Was a Man Lived in the West
NOTES: This ballad is also, as "Sven Nordmand," found in Danish tradition.
"Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom", cited in Chappell/Wooldridge, should not be confused with the version of "The Twa Sisters" that uses those words as a refrain. - PJS
E. K. Chambers, English Literature at the Close of the Middle Ages, Oxford, 1945, 1947, p. 153, cites this as one of the two oldest verifiable popular ballads in the Child canon ("Robin Hood and the Monk" being the other). Both are found in manuscripts believed to date from c. 1450. There are of course earlier pieces which have been claimed as ballads ("Judas," "St. Stephen and Herod," "Robin and Gandelyn"), but Chambers thinks the description misapplied in those cases. And certainly each of the three has un-ballad-like characteristics. Given that "Robin Hood and the Monk" [Child 119] appears never to have been found except in that one manuscript, "Riddles" is arguably the oldest ballad to have survived into the modern era of collecting.
The caution is that Chambers is lumping the dialog "Inter diabilus et Virgo" with this (see Chamber, p. 156). Given that that is mostly a riddle song, and our earliest riddle song is "I Gave My Love a Cherry" (sometimes lumped with "Captain Wedderburn's Courtship"), there is a real question of whether the two can be linked.. - RBW
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Folk Index: Riddles Wisely Expounded [Ch 1]
Us - Devil's Nine Questions
Riddles from the North [Ch 1]
Jones, Bill (Belinda). Bits and Pieces, Compass 7 4366 2, CD (2003), trk# 3a
Riddles Wisely Expounded [Ch 1]
Friedman, Albert B. (ed.) / Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-S, Viking, sof (1963/1957), p 3 [1820s]
Friedman, Albert B. (ed.) / Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-S, Viking, sof (1963/1957), p 5 [1930s]
Wells, Evelyn Kendrick (ed.) / The Ballad Tree, Ronald, Bk (1950), p169 (Devil's Questions)
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p 47 [14??] (Inter Disbolus et Virgo)
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p 48 [16??]
Leach, MacEdward / The Ballad Book, Harper & Row, Bk (1955), p 50 [1930s]
Leach, MacEdward / The Heritage Book of Ballads, Heritage, Bk (1967), p 13
Loomes, Jon. Fearful Symmetry, Fellside FECD 186, CD (2005), trk# 11
Redpath, Jean. Lowlands, Philo 1066, CD/ (1980), trk# B.04
The Devil's Nine Questions [Ch 1]
Rt - Landlord's Nine Question ; Devil in the Garden
Kersey, Robert E. (ed.) / Just Five; A Collection of Pentatonic Songs, Belwin Mills, Fol (1972), p46b
Block, Allan. Alive and Well and Fiddling, Living Folk LFR 104, LP (197?), trk# 8
Chase, Richard. Chase, Richard (ed.) / American Folk Tales and Songs, Dover, sof (1971/1956), p110 [1930-40's]
Creighton, Mildred. McNeil, W. K. (ed.) / Southern Folk Ballads, Vol 2, August House, Sof (1988), p116 [1962]
Creighton, Mildred. Abrahams, Roger; & George Foss / Anglo-American Folksong Style, Prentice-Hall, Sof (1968), 5-4 [1962]
Gibson, Bob. Folk Songs of Ohio, Stinson SLP 76, LP (1963/1954), trk# B.03 (Ninety Nine and Ninety)
Gladden, Texas. Anglo American Ballads, Library of Congress AFS L 1, LP (1956), trk# A.07 [1941]
Gladden, Texas. Lomax, Alan / Folk Songs of North America, Doubleday Dolphin, Sof (1975/1960), p180/# 86 [1941]
Gladden, Texas. Ballad Legacy, Rounder 1800, CD (2001/1941), trk# 6 [1941/08]
Ives, Burl. Ives, Burl / Burl Ives Song Book, Ballantine Books, Bk (1953), p 40
Ives, Burl. Burl Ives Sings... In the Quiet of the Night, Decca DL 8247, LP (1956), trk# A.05
Jones, Mrs. Ota. Moore, Ethel & Chauncey (ed.) / Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest, Univ. of Okla, Bk (1964), p 5/# 1 [1950s?]
Ritchie, Jean; and Oscar Brand. Shivaree!, Esoteric ES-538, LP (1955), trk# A.07
Stallcup, Hugh. Niles, John Jacob / Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, Bramhall House, Bk (1961), p 2/N 1A [1933] (Devil's Questions)
Child Collection List of Recordings and Texts
A Golden Ring Reunion Devil in the Garden For All the Good People 1992 4:02
Allan Block The Devil's Nine Questions Alive and Well and Fiddling 197?
Anna Fiske Hough Riddles Wisely Expounded The Helen Hartness Flanders Collection
Atwater-Donnelly The Devil's Nine Questions The Weaver's Bonny 2009
Bill Jones Riddles from the North Bits and Pieces 2003 3:32
Birdloom Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary ? 2006 4:21
Bob Bray & Jon Scaife The Devil's Nine Questions The Devil's Nine Questions 1997
Bob Coltman Devil in the Garden Son of Child 1976 3:59 Yes
Bob Gibson Ninety Nine and Ninety Folksongs of Ohio 1956 1:56
Bonnie Koloc Devil's Nine Questions After All This Time 1971 4:30
Brian Peters Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom Sharper Than the Thorn 1996 6:01 Yes
Bruce Molsky The Devil’s Nine Questions Song Links 2 - A Celebration of English Traditional Songs and Their American Variants 2005 3:26
Burl Ives The Devil's Nine Questions The Wayfaring Stranger - The Golden Years of Burl Ives 2005
Burl Ives The Devil's Nine Questions Song Book 1973
Burl Ives The Devil's Nine Questions Folk Songs 2005 3:07 Yes
Camilla Granlien Sven Svane Begjær 2005 4:15 Yes
Cyril Tawney The Three Sisters The Outlandish Knight 1969 2:05 Yes
Dan Dutton Riddles Wisely Expounded A Murder of Crows 2004 4:40 Yes
Diane Diachishin Riddles Wisely Expounded Now Is the Time for a Song 1993
Ed Trickett, Gordon Bok & Ann Mayo Muir Jennifer Gentle All Shall Be Well Again 1983 5:01 Yes
Elizabeth LaPrelle Devil's Nine Questions Rain and Snow - Old Songs and Ballads from the Mountains 2005 2:32 Yes
Ewan MacColl Riddles Wisely Expounded [English] The Long Harvest, Vol. 2 - Some Traditional Ballads in Their English, Scots and North American Variants 1966 5:53 Yes
Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger The Devil's Nine Questions Two-Way Trip 1961 2:40 Yes
Fair Isle Folk Jennifer Gentle Classic Irish Love Songs, Vol. 1 1996 3:41 Yes
Finbar & Eddie Furey Jennifer Gentle The Dawning of the Day 1996 3:00 Yes
Gerry McGandy Riddles Wisely Expounded Child Ballads 2006 3:34 Yes
Hanita Blair A Riddle Wisely Expounded Minstrel 1992 4:07 Yes
Harriet Eldredge Eldred There Was an Old Man Lived in the West The Helen Hartness Flanders Collection
Ingvill Marit Buen Garnås Sven Svane Gåtesong 2005 2:16 Yes
Jacqueline & Bridie Riddles Wisely Expounded Hold Back the Dawn 1965 3:32 Yes
Jacqui McDonald Lay the Bent to the Bonnie Broom Jacqui's Best Loved Songs, Vol. 1
Jan Høiland Sven Svane Tio Tusen Röda Rosor 1994
Jean Redpath & Abby Newton Riddles Wisely Expounded Lowlands 1980 4:09 Yes
Jean Ritchie & Oscar Brand The Devil's Nine Questions Shivaree! 1955
Jean Ritchie & Oscar Brand Riddle Me This The Riverside Folklore Series, Vol. 3: Singing the New Traditions 1996 3:46 Yes
Jean Ritchie & Paul Clayton The Devil's Questions American Folk Tales and Songs 1956 2:25 Yes
Jeff Wesley Ninety Nine and Ninety Brisk and Bonny Lad - Songs from a Northamptonshire Farmer 1979
Jeff Wesley Ninety-nine and Ninety It Was on a Market Day - English Traditional Folk Singers - Vol. 2 2002
Jill Trinka Devil's Nine Questions The Little Black Bull and Other Folk Songs, Singing Games, & Play Parties - 4 1995
John Kirkpatrick Bow Down to the Bonny Broom Song Links 2 - A Celebration of English Traditional Songs and Their American Variants 2005 6:58 Yes
Jon Boden Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary A Folk Song a Day - March 2011 4:22 Yes
Jon Loomes Riddles Wisely Expounded Fearful Symmetry 2005 4:11 Yes
Kate Burke & Ruth Hazelton Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom A Thousand Miles or More 2000 6:42 Yes
Kelpie Sven Svane Live at the Oak Center - General Store/Folk Forum, Vol. 1 2003
Kerstin Blodig Sven Svane Valivann - Rhythmic Ballads from Both Sides of the North Sea 2002 5:33 Yes
Kerstin Blodig & Ian Melrose Sven Svane Kelpie - From Celtic-Scandinavian Roots to New Acoustic Music 2002 5:06 Yes
Linda Sigismondi The Devil's Nine Questions Appalachian Ballads and Songs for the Mountain Dulcimer Companion CD 2005
Lori Watson Riddles Wisely Expounded Three 2006 3:39 Yes
Magpie Lane Juniper Gentle & Rosemary Six for Gold 2002 4:51 Yes
Magpie Lane Juniper Gentle & Rosemary Songs of Witchcraft & Magic - Songs & Ballads Compiled By the Museum of Witchcraft 2007
Marit Mattisgard Svein Svane Tre Ord Te De 2003 3:08 Yes
Martin Carter Jennifer Gentle Seasons, Ceremonies & Rituals - The Calendar in Traditional Song 2002 2:45 Yes
Mike (Ichingiching) Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary <website> 2007 5:07 Yes
Nancy Philley Devil's Nine Questions The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection
2:23 Yes
Oscar Brand and His Young Friends The Devil's Question Trick or Treat - Halowe'en Celebrated in Story and Song 1979 3:29 Yes
Oscar Brand & Jean Ritchie The Devil's Nine Questions Oscar Brand and Jean Ritchie 1961
Patrick Ward Gainer The Devil's Questions Child Ballads of West Virginia 1:51
Peggy Seeger The Devil's Nine Questions [American] The Long Harvest, Vol. 2 - Some Traditional Ballads in Their English, Scots and North American Variants 1966 2:21 Yes
Peggy Seeger The Devil's Nine Questions Voices - The First Book/Record One 1968
Pelle Joner Sven Svane Norwegian Folk Songs 1958
Pete Coe Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary Long Company 1997 4:47 Yes
Phil Cooper The Devil's Ten Questions Written in Our Eyes - Ballads & Sketches, Vol. I 2005 5:58 Yes
Phønix Svend Nordmand Pigen & Drengen (The Girl and the Boy) 2002 3:44 Yes
Prunella Scales The Devil’s Questions Rhyme and Rhythm – Poems and Songs for Children 1965
Raymond Crooke The Devil's Nine Questions <website> 2007 3:38 Yes
Rex Noble The Devil's Nine Questions <website> 2009 3:06 Yes
Stephen Moore The Devil's Nine Questions Sourwood Mountain - American Folk Traditions, Vol. 1 2005 3:57 Yes
Sunset Wings Riddles Widely Expounded Covering for Solace 2009 5:33 Yes
Svanevit Svanevit Gryning 2005 4:44 Yes
Texas Gladden The Devil's Nine Questions Ballad Legacy 2001 2:43 Yes
Texas Gladden The Devil's Nine Questions The Library of Congress - Archive of Folk Culture: Anglo-American Ballads, Vol. 1 1999 2:43
Texas Gladden The Devil's Nine Questions (Riddles Wisely Expounded) Virginia Traditions - Ballads from British Tradition 1993 2:33
The Armstrong Family Lay the Bent The Wheel of the Year: Thirty Years with The Armstrong Family 1992 4:11 Yes
The Askew Sisters A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded All in a Garden Green 2007 7:29 Yes
The Askew Sisters A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded Live at Sidmouth Folkweek 2007 2007 6:53 Yes
The City Waites The Devil's Nine Questions Sorcery and Spectres 1995
The Clancy Brothers Jennifer Gentle Flowers in the Valley 1969 3:25 Yes
The Clancy Brothers Jennifer Gentle Wrap the Green Flag - Favorites of the Clancy Borthers with Tommy Makem 1994 3:23 The Claque The Devil’s Questions Sounding Now 2008
The Demon Barbers A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded + Brana’s Polka Waxed 2005 6:46 Yes
The Golden Glows The Devil's Questions A Folksongbook 2007
Tiriltunga Sven Svane Dat Ae Tungvint Fri 1992 3:07 Yes
Tiriltunga Sven Svane Kåte Ungdomsdagar 2003
Tiriltunga Sven Svane The Sweet Sunny North - Henry Kaiser and David Lindley in Norway 1994 3:17 Yes
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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
1. RIDDLES WISELY EXPOUNDED
Texts: Barry, Brit Bids Me, 4.29 / BFSSNE, X, 8; XII, 8 / R.P.T. Coffin, Lost Paradise. 199 / Davis, Trd Bid Va, 59 / JAFL, XII, 129 / Jones, F-L Mich, 5 / Niles, Bids Crls Tgc Lgds, z I Va FLS Bull, #10, 5.
Local Titles: Riddles Wisely Expounded, The Devil and the Nine Questions, The Devil's Nine Questions, The Nine Questions, The Three Riddles.
Story Types: A: A dialogue with, the speakers named. The Devil, on the threat of removing a girl to Hell, asks her what is whiter than milk, louder than a horn, higher than a tree, more innocent than a lamb, etc. The maid answers snow, thunder, Heaven, a babe, etc. and names the Devil. The latter then admits defeat.
Examples: Davis. B: The same sort of motif as that of Type A is used, but when the girl answers the questions and names the Devil, he says he will take her to Hell regardless.
Examples: Niles. C: A lesson in the way to get a lover. The Devil has become a cavalier, and there are three pretty maids in search of a man. The youngest, who knows the answers, wins the cavalier.
Examples : BFSSNE, X, 8.
Discussion: The Type A and Type B American texts, which are extremely rare, are closest to the Child A*, C, and D versions in their obvious concern with the Devil. (See Davis, Trd Bid Va, 59 for a comparison of the Virginia texts with Child.) The song seems to have originally been a battle of wits between the Devil and a girl (cf. Child A*) which was first secularized and then rationalized. It was discovered late in America, first by Alfreda Peel, and printed by Davis with the Virginia Collection. (See Davis, Trd Bld Va, 46 7 for an account of the discovery.)
The Type C text uncovered by Barry in New England traces back to Child A d indirectly. See BFSSNE, XII, 9 where the history of the "cavalier" form of the ballad is given from d'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy through the German translation by Herder (cf . Goethe's opera die Fischerin) back to an English re-translation by William Aytoun in Blackwood's Magazine, LVII, 173 5. Comparative texts and a discussion of this re-emergence of a folk song are given here. Also check BFSSNE, X, 9 where the romantic and homelitic forms of this song are briefly discussed, and the idea that the Child F and Jones, jF-i Mich, 5 texts are members of the Captain Wedderburn's Courtship (46) tradition is expressed. Elizabeth Cooke (JAFL, XII, 29) incorporates the riddle portion of the ballad in a story, The Bride of the Evil One, told her by a Martinique Negro from New Orleans. The girl in this story confounds Satan much as she does in the ballad. The common American refrain is the "ninety-nine and ninety-weavers bonny" burden.
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Three Folk-Ballads and Tunes from Scarce Printed Sources
by A. G. Gilchrist; Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Vol. 8, No. 33 (Dec., 1929), pp. 146-152
18.-COLLINS BRUSH: THE DEW THAT FLIES OVER THE MULBERRY TREE
[THE THREE SISTERS, OR THE LADY IN THE WEST.]
FROM F. KIDSON'S MS. No. 34, c. 1800.
[music]
The "Three Sisters" tune printed by Davies Gilbert in the second edition of his Christmas Carols (it is not in the first, 1822) as one of " Two Ancient Ballads " has hitherto appeared to be the first printed copy of this air. The ballad, with a Northumbrian tune and a different refrain, is in Miss Mason's Nursery Rhymes and Country Songs, 1877 (and reprinted in English County Songs, p. 6, " There was a lady in the west "). This is probably the tune given in Stokoe's Northumbrian Minstrelsy, 1882, which, however, I have not seen. Davies Gilbert's tune is used in Baring-Gould's Garland of Country Songs. The version above printed I found in an old fiddler's MS. tune-book. From internal evidence most of the tunes must have been transcribed very early in the nineteenth century, but a portion may have been written down at an earlier date. The queer title " Collins Brush " is derived from an actor named Collins, who gave an entertainment "The Evening Brush" from I775 to I793. "The Dew that flies over the Mulberry Tree" seems to have been one of his songs-which would take this copy of the tune back into the eighteenth century.
The same tune, in a rather different form, is also used for "The Outlandish Knight." See Journal, Vol. vii, p. 74, for a Lancashire variant sung to " The Cruel Ship's Carpenter."
Six versions of this very old riddle-song are given by Child. All the versions I have seen have a double refrain-the north-country ones of
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Fa lang the dillo, dillo, dee.
the south-country ones of
Jennifer, gentle, and rosemary,
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree.
"Dew" is generally supposed to mean "doo" dove. See Miss Broadwood's note under "The Seaside, or the Elfin Knight," Journal, Vol. iii, pp. I4-I6. for protective magic signified by the herbs occurring in such refrains, which frequently occur in contests of wits between human and demoniac beings.
-A. G. G.
----------------------------
Discussion on "Lay the bent to the bonny broom:"
The original tune to the ballad [Child & Bronson] is "Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom." An explanation of what "Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom" means is found in Wimberley's Folklore in the English and Scottish Ballads (1928), pp 350/351. Referring to Lucy Broadwood's (1908), Wimberley wrote:
Miss Broadwood's observations on the magical properties of plants represented in the burdens of The Elfin Knight (2) and Riddles Wisely Expounded (1) may be summarized as follows: parsley, used by the ancient Greeks at funerals, and on graves, and employed magically in Germany, the British Isles, and in Europe generally; sage, a magic plant in England, and proof against the evil eye in Spain, Portugal, etc.; rosemary, called "Alicrum" or "Elfin Plant" in Spain and Portugal, is worn there against the evil eye, burnt against witches in Devonshire, and everywhere else associated with funerals and death; thyme, a chief ingredient in a recipe (ca. 1600) for an eye-salve for beholding without danger the most potent fairy or spirit, and associated with death and the grave in England; juniper, sacred to the Virgin in Italy and France, and especially potent against evil spirits; the gentle (thorn or bush), the name used all over Ireland for the large hawthorns which are regarded as holy and sacred to the "gentry" -- "gentle people" or fairies who inhabit them; holly and ivy, used magically from the earliest heathen times, holly being particularly abhorred by witches in England and other countries of Europe; broom, most potent against witches and spirits, and per contra, often used by witches in their spells; the bent or rush, protective against the evil eye, and, as Miss Broadwood points out, doubly powerful when combined with the broom, as in the refrain (1 A), "Lay the bent to the bonny broom." We may dismiss the subject of the incantation refrain by quoting a note from Scott, which goes no little way toward proving Miss Broadwood's point that our plant burdens are incantations directed against evil spirits:
The herb vervain, revered by the Druids, was also reckoned a powerful charm by the common people; and the author recollects a popular rhyme, supposed to be addressed to a young woman by the devil, who attempted to seduce her in the shape of a handsome young man:--
"Gin ye wish to be leman mine,
Lay off the St. John's wort and the vervine."
By his repugnance to these sacred plants, his mistress discovered the cloven foot.
"Riddles Wisely Expounded" is a riddling contest between a woman and an evil spirit, usually assumed to be the Devil himself, or "Old Clootie," as he is known without actually naming him, a safer practice. Therefore, the combination of the bent and broom as a means of warding off the Devil is appropriate in the ballad to which the refrain is properly attached. [ref: Sandy Patton- Mudcat Discussion Forum]
Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music
Riddles Wisely Expounded / The Devil's Nine Questions /Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary / Bow Down to the Bonny Broom /
The Three Sisters
[Roud 161; Child 1; Ballad Index C001; trad.]
Riddles Wisely Expounded is F. J. Child's ballad #1. Variants of it are known with several titles.
Cyril Tawney sang The Three Sisters in 1969 on his album The Outlandish Knight: Folks Songs from Devon and Cornwall. He commented in the sleeve notes:
Both this ballad and The Three Knights on Side Two are taken from the 1823 edition of Davies Gilbert's Some Ancient Christmas Carols where they appear as part of a secular “appendix”. Although Gilbert does not definitely state they are from Cornwall he gives them from his own recollection, and as he was a native of St. Erth we can assume they are Cornish versions of these two ancient ballads. The Three Sisters is here incomplete, Gilbert being unable to recall the third question and answer.
Pete Coe sang Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary in 1997 on his CD Long Company. He commented in his liner notes:
In some versions of this song the person asking the questions is The Devil, not a rich suitor. I detect some 19th century moralistic leaning in her answers, though she was obviously bright and well-rehearsed.
Magpie Lane sang Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary in 2002 on their CD Six for Gold; this track was also included on the Wild Goose anthology Songs of Witchcraft and Magic.
Jon Boden learned Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary from Magpie Lane and sang it as the March 30, 2011 entry of his project A Folk Song a Day.
Brian Peters sang Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom in 1997 on his CD Sharper Than the Thorn (which got its title from a phrase in this song).
John Kirkpatrick sang the English song Bow Down to the Bonny Broom, and Bruce Molsky its American variant The Devil's Nine Question in 2005 on the Fellside anthology Song Links 2—A Celebration of English Traditional Songs and Their American Variants. Paul Adams commented in the liner notes:
This ballad is about a test the Devil sets a clever woman: if she fails to answer his nine riddles correctly, she will be his. Some English variants have lost the devil, and made the knight simply what he claims to be, and the girl's reward for answering all the questions correctly is to marry him.
Here are John Kirkpatrick's own notes: “Based on the song that Francis James Child rather unwisely christened Riddles Wisely Expounded in his book The English and Scottish Popular Ballads published in the 1880s. This is a compilation of some of the Child versions, with additional phrases from verses found in Wiltshire by Alfred Williams a few years later. The tune started off as the 17th century Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom—but it hasn't ended up like that.”
The Demon Barbers sang A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded in 2005 on their CD Waxed.
[Bow Down to the Bonny Broom- John Kirkpatrick]
There was a knight riding from the West,
Bow down to the bonny broom,
What he loved most, what he loved the best,
Bonny lass, once and twice and three times round full soon.
O many a mile did he ride along
Till he came to a door that was wide and strong.
He sat him down all upon a stone
Till he saw three sisters coming home.
He knock-ed loud on the sisters' gate,
He knock-ed long and he knock-ed late.
The youngest sister drew back the pin,
All in a passion he came riding in.
“O answer me these questions three
Or surely you shall lie with me.
“And answer me three more questions still
Or surely you shall give me my will.
“And answer me these questions nine
Or surely you shall be mine, all mine.
“And answer not my three times three
In a thousand pieces I will tear thee.
“O what is louder than a horn?
And what is sharper than a thorn?
“And what is whiter than the milk?
And what is softer than the silk?
“O what is colder than the clay?
And what is broader than the way?
“O what is higher than a tree?
And what is deeper than the sea?
“And what is worse than a woman's tongue?
O answer me, as I'm my father's son!”
“O thunder's louder than the horn
And hunger's sharper than a thorn.
“And snow is whiter than the milk
And down is softer than the silk.
“And death is colder than the clay
And love is broader than the way.
“And heaven is higher than a tree
And hell is deeper than the sea.
“And the devil is worse than a woman's tongue
And you Sir Knight you are the devil's father's son.”
And when he heard her name his name,
O he rose up in a fire of flame.
He clapped his wings and aloud did cry,
In a flame of fire away did fly.
[Pete Coe sings Juniper, Gentle and Rosemary]
There were three sisters fair and bright,
Juniper, gentle and rosemary,
And they three loved one valiant knight,
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree.
And the eldest sister let him in,
And she barred the door with a silver pin.
And the middle sister made the bed,
And laid soft pillows beneath his head.
But the youngest sister that same night
She resolved to wed with that valiant knight.
“Oh it's you must answer my questions three,
And then, fair maid, we can married be.
“Oh, what is louder than the horn?
And what is sharper than any thorn?”
“Oh, rumour is louder than the horn,
And hunger is sharper than any thorn.”
“And what is greener than the grass?
And what is smoother than the glass?”
“Oh, envy is greener than the grass,
And flatter is smoother than the glass.”
“And what is keener than the axe?
And what is softer than melting wax?”
“Oh, revenge is keener than the axe,
And love is softer than melting wax.”
“Now you have answered my questions three,
And now, fair maid, we can married be.”
More Recordings
"Riddles Wisely Expounded"
Daniel Dutton on Murder of Crows,
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger on The Long Harvest, Vol. 2, Argo, 1966
Jacqueline and Bridie on Hold Back the Dawn, Fontana, 1964
Jean Redpath on Lowlands, Philo, 1994
Lon Loomes on Fearful Symmetry, Fellside Recordings, 2005
"A Riddle Wisely Expounded"
Hanita Blair on Minstrel, Millefolia, 2005
"A Noble Riddle Wisely Expounded"
Askew Sisters on All In a Garden Green, Wild Goose Records 2007
Demon Barbers on Waxed, Demon Barbers Sounds, 2010
"The Devil's Nine Questions"
Atwater-Donnelly on The Weaver's Bonny, Rabbit Island Music, 2009
Bonnie Kolac on After All This Time, Ovation Records, 1971 (out of print)
Bruce Molsky on Song Links 2, Fellside Recordings, 2005
Elizabeth Laprelle on Rain and Snow, Old 97 Wrecords, 2007
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger on The Long Harvest, Vol. 2, Argo, 1966
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger on Two Way Trip, Folkways, 1961
Jean Ritchie and Oscar Brand on Shivaree! - A Folk Wedding Party, Essential Media Group, 2008
Jill Trinka on The Little Black Bull, Gia, 2007
Stephen Moore on Sourwood Mountain: American Folk Traditions, Vol 1, Stephen Moore, 2005
Texas Gladden on Ballad Legacy, Rounder, 2001
"The Devil's Ten Questions"
Phil Cooper on Written in Our Eyes, CDBY, 2007
"The Devil's Question"
The Golden Glows on A Folksongbook, Glans and Luister, 2007
Jean Ritchie and Paul Clayton on American Folk Tales and Songs, Tradition Records, 1956.
Folk Trax
DEVIL'S QUESTIONS, THE - "O you must answer my questions nine…." CHILD#1 - ROUD#161 --- MACKENZIE BSSNS 1928 pp14-15 (w/o) "6 Questions" - CREIGHTON SBNS 1932 pp6-8 Richard Hartlan, NS 1929 - JEFDSS 6:3 1951 pp84-85 Doreen Senior & Helen Creighton: Tom Young/ Dennis Smith, NS 1937 - BROWN NC 1952 2 & 4 - LOMAX FSNA 1960 p180 "The Devil's Nine Questions" from Texas Gladden (Child 1 Riddle Song) - CREIGHTON MFS 1961 p6 Wm Gilkie, NS 1949 - FLANDERS - LEACH Labr 1965 p26 - KARPELES FSNFL 1971 #6 p39 Mrs Mary McCabe & Mrs K M Combs, Nfl 1929-30 - see CAPTAIN WEDDERBURN'S COURTSHIP (Child 46) --- Texas GLADDEN rec Alan Lomax Va USA 1941: AFS 5231 A1/ AAFS L-1/ ROUNDER 11661-1800-2 2001"The Devil's Nine Questions" - Paul CLAYTON & Jean RITCHIE (with gtr) rec USA: TRADITION TLP-1011 1957 "The Devil's 9 Questions" - Sandy PATON (v/gtr) rec London COLLECTOR JEA 1958 (45 EP) Michigan - Peggy SEEGER & Guy CARAWAN (vocals/ banjo & guitar) rec by PK, London 1958: RPL LP 24213 "The Devil's Questions"
-----------------------------
PUBLICATIONS OF THE FOLK-LORE SOCIETY LV.
[1907] JAMAICAN SONG AND STORY:
ANNANCY STORIES, DIGGING SINGS, RING TUNES, AND DANCING TUNES
COLLECTED AND EDITED BY WALTER JEKYLL:
VII. The Three Sisters- 26
Jamaican Song and Story.
VII. THE THREE SISTERS.
THERE was free sister living into a house, an' everybody
want them fe marry, an I them refuse.
An' one day a Snake go an' borrow from his neighbour long coat an' burn-pan hat an' the whole set out of clothing. Then he dress himself, an' him tell his friends that him mus' talk to those young lady. An' what you think the fellow does? He get up a heap a men to carry him to the young lady yard. An' when him got there the door was lock with an iron bar. An' when
he come he say : — " Please to open the door, there is a stranger coming in." An' he sing like this: —
[music]
My eldes' sis-ter, will you o-pen the door?
My eldes' sis-ter, will you open the door oh ?
Fair an' gande-low steel
An' the eldest one was going to open the door. An' the last one, who was a old-witch, say to her sister: — ''Don't open the door," an' she sing: —
[music]
My door is bar — with a scotran bar,
My door is bar — with a scotran bar oh,
Fair an' gandelow steel.
Then the Snake ask again to the same tune: —
My second sister will you open the door?
My second sister will you open the door oh?
Fair an' gandelow steel
An' the youngest, which was old-witch, sing again: —
My door is bar with an iron bar,
My door is bar with an iron bar oh,
Fair an' gandelow steel.
An' the Snake turn to a Devil, an' the t'ree sister come
an' push on the door to keep it from open.
An' the Devil ask a third time: —
My youngest sister will you open the door?
My youngest sister will you open the door oh?
Fair an' gandelow steeL
But the last sister won't have it so, an' she said with a very wrath: —
The Devil ro - guer than a woman-kind,
The Devil id- guer than a woman-kind oh,
Fair an' gandelow steel.
An' the Devil get into a great temper an' say: —
What is ro-guer than a woman-kind?
What is ro-guer than a woman -kind oh?
Fair an' gandelow steel.
Then the Devil fly from the step straight into hell an have chain round his waist until now.
Jack Mantora me no choose none.
NOTES.
Snake is pronounced with an indefinite short vowel between the s and n, senake.
born-pan hat, the tall hat of civilized towns. The pan is the usual cylindrical tin vessel used for cooking. When blackened by fire it is a bain-pan.
or burnt pan. It is pronounced like French bonne.
Qandftlow, lootrmn, The meaning of these words is lost.
roguer. This word is doubtful. Sometimes it sounds like rowgard, at
others like rowgod. It may mean "more roguish." The boy who gave me
this story often quotes this line from a hymn :
" To break the bonds of cantling sin. 1 '
One day I asked him to point it out in his hymnbook. It was co n que r ing.
He can say it perfectly well, but he still goes on with cantling. It is not
surprising, therefore, that we cannot recover words passed from mouth to
mouth for generations.
womankind. Again it is doubtful whether this is a single word or two
words. The article would fix it as the latter in pure English, but in negro
speech it goes for nothing.
old-wlton, though she was a young girl : see notes to No. IV. (Tomby).
-----------------
The Journal of American Folk-lore - Page 126; 1898
ENGLISH FOLK-TALES IN AMERICA.
THE BRIDE OF THE EVIL ONE.
In former times there lived, on a great plantation far out in the country, the richest and most beautiful lady in the world. Her name was Maritta, and she was beloved by all who knew her, espe. daily so by her parents, with whom she dwelt.
She was so rich that one could not count her wealth in many days; and her home was a palace, filled with rare things from all quarters of the globe. Rich hangings of damask and tapestry adorned the walls, and massive and wonderfully carved furniture filled the rooms. Instead of gilt, as is usual in splendid mansions, the mirrors and pictures were framed in gold, silver, and even precious stones. Then, the dining-table was a wonder to behold — glittering with costly glass and golden service. The lady Maritta always ate from a jewelled platter with a golden spoon; and her rooms were filled with wondrous vases, containing delicious spices and rare perfumes of many kinds.
Half the brave and daring fine gentlemen of her country had sought her hand in marriage; but her parents always declared that each was not rich enough. So loath were her parents to give her up, that they finally said she should never marry unless she could view her suitor ten thousand miles down the road.
Now, as roads in general are not straight for so great a distance, — to say nothing of one's eyesight, — the poor lady was quite in .despair, and had almost decided to remain a spinster.
At last the Evil One, seeing the covetousness of this old couple, procured for himself an equipage of great magnificence, and went a-wooing. His coach was made of beaten gold, so ablaze with precious stones that the sun seemed mean in comparison with it. Maritta beheld it thirty thousand miles off, and all the household were called out to view it; for such a wonder had never been seen in that part of the world. But so great was the Evil One's power for conjuring that he was a very short time in arriving. He drove up to the door with so grand a dash and clatter and style that Maritta thought she had never beheld as princely a personage. When he had alighted most gracefully, uncovering and bowing to the mother and father, he knelt at the feet of Maritta, kissed her hand, and turning to her astonished parents, asked the hand of their daughter in marriage. So pleased were they all with his appearance that the wedding was hastened that very day. After the marriage compact was completed Maritta bade adieu to her proud parents; and tripping lightly into his coach, they drove away with great effect.
Then they journeyed and journeyed, and every fine house or plantation which they approached, Maritta would exclaim: "Is that your home, my dear?" "No, darling," he would reply with a knowing smile, "my house is another cut to that." Still they journeyed: and just as Maritta was beginning to feel very weary they approached a great hill, from which was issuing a cloud of black smoke, and she could perceive an enormous hole in the side of the hill, which appeared like the entrance to a tunnel. The horses were now prancing and chafing at the bits in a most terrifying manner; and Maritta thought she saw flames coming from out their nostrils. Just as she was catching her breath to ask the meaning of it all, the coach and party plunged suddenly into the mouth of the yawning crater, and they sank down, down into that place which is called Torment. The poor trembling lady went into a swoon, and knew nothing more until she awoke in the House of Satan. But she did not yet know that it was the Evil One whom she had married, nor that, worse still, he was already a married man when she had made his acquaintance. Neither did she know that the frightful old crone was his other wife. Satan's manner had also undergone a decided change; and he, who had been so charming a lover, was now a blustering, insolent master. Lifting his voice until it shook the house, as when it thunders, he stormed around, beating the old hag, killing her uncanny black cat, and raising a tumult generally. Then, ordering the hag to cook him some buckwheat cakes for breakfast, he stamped out of the house, towards his blacksmith shop, to see how his hands were doing their work. While the wretched young wife sat in her parlor, looking very mournful and lovely, wiping her eyes and feeling greatly mystified, the old hag was turning her cakes on the griddle and growing more and more jealous of this beautiful new wife who was to take her place. Finally she left the cakes and came and stood by Maritta. "My child," quoth she, "my dear daughter, have you married that man?" "Yes, dame," replied the pretty Maritta. "Well, my child," said she, "you have married nothing but the Devil." At this the wretched young wife uttered a scream and would have swooned again, except that the hag grasped her by the arm, and putting a rough horny hand over Maritta's mouth, said in a low and surly voice, near her ear: "Hist! Should he hear you, he will kill us both! Only do my bidding, and keep a quiet tongue, and I will show you how to make your escape." At this Maritta sat up quite straight, and said in trembling tones: "Good dame, prithee tell me, and I will obey, and when I am free, I will send you five millions of dollars." But the forlorn hag only shook her head, replying: "Money I ask not, for it is of no use to such as I; but listen well." Then seating herself on the floor at the feet of Maritta, her black hair hanging in tangles about her sharp ugly face, like so many serpents, she continued in this wise: "He has two roosters who are his spies, and you must give them a bushel of corn to pacify them — but I shall steal the corn for you. He also has two oxen; one is as swift of foot as the wind can blow; the other can only travel half as fast. You will have to choose the last, as the swift one is too well guarded for us to reach him. The slower one is tethered just outside the door. Come!" she cried to Maritta, who would have held back, "a faint heart will only dwell in Torment." At this thought the poor Maritta roused herself, and summoned all her strength. Her hair had now fallen loose and she was all in tears. But she mounted quickly, looking over her shoulder, to see if he was coming even then. "But dame," cried she, "will he not overtake me, if his ox is so much more fleet of foot than mine?" "Hold your slippery tongue," replied the hag, "and mark my words. Here is a reticule to hang at your side; this is a brickbat which I put in the bottom, and on that I place a turkey egg and a goose egg. When you feel the hot steam coming near you, drop the brickbat — for he will soon return, and missing you, will start on your chase, mounted on the ox. As he approaches near, you will feel the heat of his breath like hot steam. When you drop the brickbat a wall will spring up from the earth to the sky; and the Devil cannot pass it until he tears down every brick, and throws it out of sight. When you feel the hot steam again, drop the turkey egg, and there will come a river; and when he reaches this river he cannot cross over until his ox drinks all the water. Do the same with the goose egg, and a river will again flow behind you, thus giving you more time in which to reach home. Now off with you, and Devil take you, if you don't hold on tight and keep up your spirits. But, hark ye, if he catches you, I will poison you when you come back At this terrible threat the lovely Maritta was so frightened that she forgot to thank the old hag or say good-by. In the twinkling of an eye the weird-looking creature had raised her mighty arm, and gurgling out a frightful laugh, she lashed the ox with a huge whip. Away he sped, verily as fleet as the wind, with the beautiful lady clinging on, her arms wound around his neck, and her soft face buried in his shaggy hair. Onward they floated, above the earth, it seemed to Maritta, over hills and plains, through brake and swamp. Just as the lady began to rejoice at being set free, — for it seemed a kind ox, and, after all, it was not so very hard to hold on, as she glided along, — she heard a piercing shriek behind her; and suddenly a burning hot steam seemed to envelop her. Thinking of the brickbat, in an instant she snatched it from the reticule — almost breaking the eggs in herhaste — and flung it behind her, nearly suffocated with the heat. Then she turned to look: and lo! a great dark wall shut the awful sight from her gaze.
Onward, onward they sped, as she urged the ox by kind words, stroking his great neck with her delicate white hands. After they had traversed a great distance, Maritta began to think of home and the loved ones, when her reveries were broken by a gaunt black hand clutching at her hair over the back of the ox; and again she felt the intense heat. Too terrified to put her hand in the reticule, she gave it a shake, and the turkey egg fell to the ground On the instant water was flowing all about her, cooling the air and quite reviving her. Then a harsh voice fell upon her ear, crying: "Drink, drink, I tell you; mighty hard on you, but you must drink!"
Soon the river was left far behind, and again Maritta aroused herself as she began to notice many familiar landmarks, which told that she was nearing home. After urging the ox on at a great rate for many more miles, she dropped the goose egg, in order to give herself ample time, although as yet she had not again felt the approach of her fiendish husband. At length the welcome sight of her own broad fields greeted her anxious and weary eyes; and soon her dear home arose upon the horizon. With a few more strides the wonderful ox halted at her own very door, and she fell from his back more dead than alive. For some moments she was unable to rise and embrace her alarmed parents, who had seen her approach. They had only had time to retire into the house, when Satan rode up to the steps. Throwing himself from the ox, he banged for admittance, in a vastly different manner from that of his first visit. But the father confronted him, and he had to content himself with talking to Maritta over her father's shoulders, — while the poor lady was cowering in a corner of the room clinging to her mother. However, the touch of loving parental arms soon reassured her, and she demanded of Satan what he wished further. "I have," replied his Satanic majesty, "three questions to propound to you; and if not properly answered, I shall take you by force again to my realms." Then placing his feet wide apart, with head thrown back, one arm akimbo on his hip, and snapping the fingers of his other hand, he sang in an impudent, swaggering manner:—
What is whiter than any snow? What is whiter than any snow? Who fell in the colley well? The gentle Maritta lifted her soft eyes, and raising her sweet voice sang in a pure and tender strain: — Vol. Xii. — No. 45. 9
Heaven is whiter than any snow, Heaven is whiter than any snow, Who fell in the colley well? "Yes, ma'am," replied Satan, rather taken aback. "That's right." Then he continued : —
What is deeper than any well? What is deeper than any well? Who fell in the colley well? Maritta replied in the same strain: —
Hell is deeper than any well, Hell is deeper than any well, Who fell in the colley well? Again the Evil One took up his strain: —
What is greener than any grass? What is greener than any grass? Who fell in the colley well? Maritta lifted her voice a third time: —
Poison is greener than any grass, Poison is greener than any grass, Who fell in the colley well? Greatly confounded at her answers, the Evil One stamped his feet in such a manner that smoke and sparks flew upward, and an odor of sulphur filled the room. Then turning on his heels he cried to the mother that he had left a note under the doorsteps with the Devil's own riddle on it.
A thousand or more acres of green corn grew about the house; and the Devil, pulling it all up by the roots, carried it in his hands, tore the roof off the mansion, and raising a fearful storm, disappeared in it. When the storm had abated, the mountains around about were all levelled to the ground. After the panic caused by his wonderful conjuring had subsided, the mother bethought herself of the note, and when found it read as follows : —
Nine little white blocks into a pen, One little red block rolled over them. None could guess it save Maritta, who said it meant the teeth and tongue.
Elisabeth Johnston Cooke.
Macon, Ga.
Note. — The above story was told me by " Old William," my negro gardener, in New Orleans. He said that he was born, and mostly brought up, in Martinique — although he had lived many years in Louisiana. He spoke, quite well for a negro, English, French, and Spanish, and was altogether a "character." He claimed to know a great many similar stories.
---------------------------------------------------
Riddle song from Exeter:
One of the Exeter notebooks contains two lines of English and four lines of Latin, which look like one, unless it should be viewed as a piece of nonsense: Three headless men played at ball, One headless man served them all."2 This appears in a longer form in an adult collection of songs, also of the fifteenth century: I saw three headless play at a ball, A handless man served them all; While three mouthless men lay and laughed, Three legless [men] away them drew.
_____________________________________
[Four English/Scottish riddle texts from recordings]
a) RIDDLES WISELY EXPOUNDED
Ewan MacColl, The Long Harvest, Record Two, Argo (Z)DA 67
There was a lady in the North Countree
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And she had lovely daughters three
Fa la la la la la la la la
There was a knight of noble worth
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Who also lived in the North
Fa la la la la la la la la
One evening when it was full late
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
This he knocked at the lady's gate
Fa la la la la la la la la
The eldest sister she let him in
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And pinned the door with a silver pin
Fa la la la la la la la la
The second sister made his bed
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And Holland sheets so fine did spread
Fa la la la la la la la la
The youngest sister fair and bright
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Did lie abed with this valiant knight
Fa la la la la la la la la
All through the night they did sport and play
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And in the morning she did say
Fa la la la la la la la la
Now you have lain with me all night
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Will you make me your wedded wife?
Fa la la la la la la la la
If you will answer me questions three
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Then, fair maid, I will marry thee
Fa la la la la la la la la
O what is louder than the horn?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And what is sharper than the thorn?
Fa la la la la la la la la
O what is longer than the way?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And what is deeper than the sea?
Fa la la la la la la la la
And what is greener than the grass?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And what more wicked than woman e'er was?
Fa la la la la la la la la
O thunder is louder than the horn
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And hunger is sharper than the thorn
Fa la la la la la la la la
O love is longer than the way
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And hell is deeper than the sea
Fa la la la la la la la la
O envy is greener than the grass
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And the devil more wicked than woman e'er was
Fa la la la la la la la la
When she these questions answered had
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
The knight he was exceeding glad
Fa la la la la la la la la
And having tried her for her wit
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
He much commended her for it
Fa la la la la la la la la
Now you have answered these questions three
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And now, fair maid, I will wed with thee
Fa la la la la la la la la
b) Riddles Wisely Expounded
Jean Redpath, Lowlands, Philo CD PH 1066, 1994
A lady lived in the North countree
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And she had lovely dochters three
Fa la la la la la la la la la
There was a Knight of noble worth
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
Who also lived intae the North
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Ae nicht when it was cauld and late
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
This Knight cam' tae the lady's gate
Fa la la la la la la la la la
The eldest dochter she lat him in
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
She's pinned the door wi' a siller pin
Fa la la la la la la la la la
The second dochter she's made his bed
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And Holland sheets sae fine she spread
Fa la la la la la la la la la
The youngest dochter sae fair and bricht
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
She lay abed wi' this noble Knight
Fa la la la la la la la la la
If you will answer me questions three
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
It's then fair maid, I will mairry thee
Fa la la la la la la la la la
O, what is louder than a horn
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And what is sharper than a thorn?
Fa la la la la la la la la la
And what is longer than the way
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And what is deeper than the sea?
Fa la la la la la la la la la
And what is greener than the grass?
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And what more wicked than woman ere was?
Fa la la la la la la la la la
O, thunder's louder than a horn
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And hunger sharper than a thorn
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Love is longer than the way
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And hell is deeper than the sea
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Envy's greener than the grass
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
And the Devil more wicked than a woman ere was
Fa la la la la la la la la la
As soon as she the fiend did name
Lay the bent tae the bonny broom
He flew awa' in a blazin' flame
Fa la la la la la la la la la
_____________________
c) Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom
Brian Peters, Sharper Than The Thorn, PUGCDD002, 1996
There was a lady in the West
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
She had three daughters of the best
Fa la la la la la la la la
A stranger knight came to the gate
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
He knocked loud and he knocked late
Fa la la la la la la la la
The eldest sister she let him in
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And pinned the door with a silver pin
Fa la la la la la la la la
The second sister she made his bed
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Laid soft pillows under his head
Fa la la la la la la la la
The youngest sister was bold and bright
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
She went to bed to the stranger knight
Fa la la la la la la la la
Young woman – says – You'll lay with me
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
I'll ask you questions three times three
Fa la la la la la la la la
Answer me these questions nine
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Or else you surely shall be mine
Fa la la la la la la la la
What is higher than the tree?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
What is deeper than the sea?
Fa la la la la la la la la
What is sharper than the thorn?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
What is louder than the horn?
Fa la la la la la la la la
What is whiter than the milk?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
What is softer than the silk?
Fa la la la la la la la la
What is greener than the grass?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
What is worse than woman e'er was?
Fa la la la la la la la la
What is rounder than the ring?
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Now to me your answers bring
Fa la la la la la la la la
Heaven's higher than the tree
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Hell is deeper than the sea
Fa la la la la la la la la
Hunger's sharper than the thorn
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Thunder's louder than the horn
Fa la la la la la la la la
Snow is whiter than the milk
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Love is softer than the silk
Fa la la la la la la la la
Poison's greener than the grass
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
The Devil is worse than woman was
Fa la la la la la la la la
The world is rounder than the ring
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Thus to you my answers bring
Fa la la la la la la la la
Now I have answered your questions nine
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
So I never shall be thine
Fa la la la la la la la la
He clapped his wings and aloud did cry
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
In a blazing fire away did fly
Fa la la la la la la la la
__________________________
d) The Three Sisters
Cyril Tawney, The Outlandish Knight, Folk Songs from Devon And Cornwall, Polydor 236 577, 1969; Child B text.
There were three sisters fair and bright
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And they three loved one valiant knight
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
The eldest sister let him in
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And barred the door with a silver pin
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
The second sister made his bed
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And placed soft pillows under his head
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
The youngest sister, fair and bright
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant knight
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
And if you can answer questions three
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
O then, fair maid, I will marry with thee
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
What is louder than an horn
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And what is sharper than a thorn?
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
Thunder is louder than an horn
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And hunger is sharper than a thorn
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
What is broader than the way
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And what is deeper than the sea?
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
Love is broader than the way
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And hell is deeper than the sea
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
You have answered well my questions three
Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And now, fair maid, I will marry with thee
As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
----------------------------------
Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. (1863–1944). The Oxford Book of Ballads. 1910.
9. The Riddling Knight
I. THERE were three sisters fair and bright,
Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary,
And they three loved one valiant knight—
As the dow flies over the mulberry-tree.
II. The eldest sister let him in,
And barr’d the door with a silver pin.
III. The second sister made his bed,
And placed soft pillows under his head.
IV. The youngest sister that same night
Was resolved for to wed wi’ this valiant knight.
V. ‘And if you can answer questions three,
O then, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee.
VI. ‘O what is louder nor a horn,
Or what is sharper nor a thorn?
VII. ‘Or what is heavier nor the lead,
Or what is better nor the bread?
VIII. ‘Or what is longer nor the way,
Or what is deeper nor the sea?’—
IX. ‘O shame is louder nor a horn,
And hunger is sharper nor a thorn.
X. ‘O sin is heavier nor the lead,
The blessing’s better nor the bread.
XI. ‘O the wind is longer nor the way
And love is deeper nor the sea.’
XII. [‘You have answer’d aright my questions three,]
Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary;
And now, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee,
As the dow flies over the mulberry-tree.
GLOSS: [dow] dove.
----------------------------------------
The Three Sisters (The original from 1823- also found above as Riddling Knight)
Source: Davies Gilbert, Some Ancient Christmas Carols. London: John Nichols And Son, Second Edition, 1823, pp. 65-67.
1. There were three Sisters fair and bright,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And they three loved one valiant Knight,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
2. The eldest Sister let him in,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And barred the door with a silver pin,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
3. The second Sister made his bed,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And placed soft pillows under his head,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
4. The youngest Sister fair and bright
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant Knight,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
[Here some verses seem to be wanting.]
5. And if you can answer questions three,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
Oh! then, fair Maid, I will marry with thee,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
6. What is louder than an horn?
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And what is sharper than a thorn?
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
7. Thunder is louder than a horn,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And hunger is sharper than a thorn,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
8. What is broader than the way?
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And what is deeper than the sea?
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
9. Lover is broader than the way,
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And hell is deeper than the sea,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
[The third question is wanting, and also the
first line of the concluding verse.]
.....
Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree,
And now, fair Maid, I will marry with thee,
As the dew flies over the Mulberry tree.
-------------------------------
Indeed, Motherwell accepted fourteen of Mary's ballads in his collection and employed Mary's brother Tom, the local poet, song-writer and journalist to be, to hunt down the orally transmitted ballads in Ayrshire, Galloway and Dumfries
Kilbernie, Ayr, Scotland
Mary Ann Storie (Mcqueen)
Birthdate: 1802 (75)
Birthplace: Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Death: April 3, 1877 (75)
Ontario, Canada
Immediate Family:
Daughter of Osborne McQueen and Elizabeth Mcqueen
Wife of William Storie
Mother of william storie; john storie; elizabeth storie; agnes storie; thomas storie and 8 others
Sister of Hamilton Mcqueen; Katharine McQueen; Elizabeth (Bethia) Ann Orr; Agnes McQueen; Thomas McQueen and 8 others
oung Willie with his wife, viz Mary Macqueen and 4 children, and Rab Storie another son of old Will Storie - a youth very fond of whisky. The same Mary Macqueen has a great number of auld ballads which I had f1shed out of her for Mr William Motherwell.' The family party described by Crawfurd landed in Canada on 2 May 1828, and went to stay temporarily with young William Storie's brother James in the township of Macnab by Hull in Upper Canada32 before
setting up on their own about ten miles away. Crawford's Cairn contains copies of three letters from the emigrants (13.57-65) and the one from Mary
married Willie Story
sung by Mary Macqueen (Mrs William Storie) born in Ireland of Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire. She learned some ballads in Galloway when she was young, was in Ayrshire with her brother Thomas about 1825-7, moved to Canada in 1828 and ended up in Utah.
Mary Ann McQueen Storie
Birth 1803
Renfrewshire, Scotland
Death 3 Apr 1877 (aged 73-74)
Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada
Burial
Albert Street Cemetery
Arnprior, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada
Plot Oldest section of cemetery near the river
One complete ballad (45) and part of another (46) from Mary Macqueen were written in pencil by her brother, Thomas Macqueen, and ten of the songs from Meg Walker (48-56 and 64), all eight songs from William Gemmel (65-72) and one from John Smith (75) were written in ink by Crawfurd's Lochwinnoch friend and contemporary William Orr, nicknamed 'the merchant' or 'the young merchant'.28 Crawfurd recorded directly from Mary Macqueen but the songs from Meg Walker and
Crawfurd's collection is remarkable in a number of ways, and would merit investigation as a subject in its own right. Its main informant, Mary Macqueen, was of tinker stock, and thus provides an interesting link with the modern Scottish traveller tradition. Furthermore, her recorded repertoire is extensive, comprising twenty-three songs that are versions of what is known as 'Child ballads', but also including a number of broadside ballads, which means that Mary Macqueen is one of the
Mary Ann Storie (born McQueen), 1803 - 1877
Mary Ann Storie (born McQueen) was born in 1803, at birth place, to osborne mcqueen and elizabeth mcqueen (born copeland).
osborne was born in 1775, in Down, Ireland.
elizabeth was born on June 1 1776, in Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Mary was baptized on month day 1823, at baptism place.
She had 20 siblings: katharine mcqueen, katharine mcqueen and 18 other siblings.
Mary married William Storie on month day 1821, at age 18 at marriage place.
William was born on July 26 1798, in Kirkton, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
They had 13 children: Elizabeth Stuart McWhirter (born Storie), Agnes Storie and 11 other children.
Mary lived in 1851, at address.
Mary passed away on month day 1877, at age 74 at death place.
She was buried in 1877, at burial place.
Thomas MCQUEEN 1 was born2 on 9 Oct 1803 in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland. He died on 25 Jun 1861 in Goderich, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada. He was buried3 in Maitland Cem., A-18, Goderich, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.
Also Known As: Thomas MacQueen
Occ: author, founder & publisher of The Huron Signal newspaper until death in 1861.
Ancestral File Number: 9PSV-71
Thomas was born in Ayrshire, Scotland to Osborn and Elizabeth Copeland McQueen.
He immigrated to Canada living with his sister, Mary Ann McQueen Storie, and her family for a short time near Renfrew, Ontario.
Known in Scotland as a poet he continued his work in Canada expanding into writing prose in his newspaper. He became the Founder and Editor of the Huron Signal in Goderich, Ontario. He published the paper from 1848 until his death in 1861. Ref: Canadian Archives
The following is extracted from a tribute to his memory, written by W. W. Smith, Esq., editor of the Owen Sound Times, July 1861.
"Mr. McQueen, before his emigration to Canada, was somewhat known in Scotland as a Poet. Three little volumes, published between 1836 and 1850, were so well received, that they have run thro' three editions each. While finding much to commend in his poetry, we cannot help regretting it took so political a turn; and that Nature, the inexhaustible field of the rural poet, was only courted at intervals. Some twelve years ago, Mr. McQueen commenced the publication of the Signal newspaper at Goderich. Afterwards, he removed to Hamilton, and started a Reform journal, The Canadian. Not apparently succeeding so well in Hamilton as at Goderich, he recommenced the Signal at the latter place. Mr. McQueen was a vigorous writer, and a forcible though not a polished speaker. Some of his Canadian pieces in verse, which are not numerous, are very beautiful. Of these, we remember "Our own broad Lake," and others. He entered heartily, though too late in life to effect much with his own pen, into the plans of those who were and are seeking to established and build up a native literature among us. Some years ago, he ended an editorial on the subject, with the earnest appeal, "Will nobody write a few songs for Canada?"--"Owen Sound Times," July, 1861.
BIO of Thomas McQueen. by H. J. M. Johnston ( Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online )
2000 , Ontario
McQUEEN, THOMAS, stonemason, journalist, politician, and poet; b. 9 Oct. 1803 in the parish of Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, Scotland; he married and had several children; d. 26 June 1861 at Goderich, Canada West.
Thomas McQueen's father was a labourer in a rural parish 20 miles southwest of Glasgow, and McQueen received little schooling because he was required to work. At the age of nine an accident left him convalescent for a long period and lame for the rest of his life. He developed an interest in books, although his reading never led him away from his origins. He went to work as a stonemason at 14 or 15, during years of intense labour unrest when working class journalism became established. Stimulated by the agitation for parliamentary reform in the 1820s and early 1830s, he wrote for the periodical press and lectured on the rights of the working man. He also published three volumes of poetry – much of a political nature – and issued a weekly series of essays and lectures on political economy, education, and morals.
In 1842 McQueen immigrated to Canada West and settled near Pakenham in the Bathurst District, immediately north of an established settlement of Glasgow weavers and other Scots. Although the rocky land of much of the district was ill suited to agriculture, he was impressed by the rent-free, cheap, and fertile land available elsewhere in Upper Canada and contrasted the settler's opportunities to prosper with "the revolting condition of the five-farthing per-yard weaver" in Britain whom the industrial system had "driven within the precincts of a lingering starvation." From 1842 to 1846 he worked as a mason throughout the Pakenham area. His journalistic instincts were not long in surfacing, and he began to contribute regularly to the BathurstCourier , vigorously advocating secular education and deriding the claims of the Church of England.
In 1847 Malcolm Cameron*, a Sarnia merchant and radical Grit member of the assembly for Lanark, offered McQueen £100 a year to edit a paper in the newly settled Huron Tract. McQueen did not accept this offer, but in 1848 he moved to Goderich and on 4 February the first issue of the Huron Signal appeared with McQueen as editor and Charles Dolsen as publisher.
When in May 1849 the Tories burned the Parliament buildings at Montreal, he wrote that "Toryism has been the curse of the civilized world -- the meaning of it is to exalt and pamper a few individuals in luxuriant indolence at the expense of the sweat and toil and degradation of the great mass of industrious mankind". He lashed out at the connection between war and illiteracy, between colonialism and the Church. He was a bitter opponent of child labour, the ruthless colonial rape of India, and the hypocrisy of the Christian church of the day which supported these evils.
McQueen saw his principal task as the revival of the Reform party in Huron County, represented in the assembly by William Cayley*, a Tory lawyer from Toronto and a nephew of Bishop John Strachan. Huron was divided between conservative Ulstermen and reform-minded dissenting Scots, but the Reformers were fragmented and disorganized and in the Signal McQueen set out to give them a point of focus. He urged the farmers of Huron to elect "one of your own class," and denounced toryism as "the curse of the civilized world – the liberal meaning of it is to exalt and pamper a few individuals in luxuriant indolence, at the expense of the sweat and toil and degradation of the great mass of industrious mankind." McQueen's triumph came in 1851 when Malcolm Cameron defeated Cayley in Huron. By this time, as McQueen put it, he was "tired of living in the extreme verge of civilization in Goderich." In 1852 he took the editorship of a new Reform journal, the Hamilton Canadian, at £200 a year. During the next two years the Canadian developed from a weekly to a tri-weekly and McQueen acquired a province-wide reputation as an advocate of reform and temperance. Early in 1854 Francis Hincks asked him to edit the Montreal Pilot and Journal of Commerce at £250 a year and he had offers from newspapers in Halton County, Belleville, and elsewhere. But he chose to return that year to Goderich and the Huron Signal.
In the election of the same year McQueen ran against Cayley on a radical Grit platform, promising to seek the abolition of the clergy reserves, separate schools, and seigneurial tenure in Lower Canada, and to work for reciprocity with the United States and a union of the British North American provinces. He was defeated by a strong Conservative turnout in the town of Goderich.
He sought political office under the Reform banner in Huron County in 1854 but was defeated by a nephew of the notorious Family Compact chieftain Bishop John Strachan. The Huron Signal (now the Signal-Star) was first published on the Square (as shown) but later moved to North Street where it remained until it merged with the Goderich Star.
After 1854 McQueen took a special interest in evaluating agricultural methods and educating farmers in proper drainage, rotation of crops, drill husbandry, fencing, and the use of fertilizers and machinery. He bought an 800-acre property in Huron County and continued as editor of the Signal until his death in 1861.
His poetry was inspired by Robert Burns. Margaret Fairley dubbed him the "Socialist Poet of Upper Canada". Despite his early fame, he is unheralded, without a single marker in town or at his last home at "Signalfield", a few miles south of Goderich