US Versions: 9. Fair Flower of Northumberland
[In the US and Canada the ballad has only been collected by John Jacob Niles, whose three versions are included in this collection. The legitimacy of these versions (and all of Niles collection) has been questioned by folk researchers. Wilgus has pointed out that Niles has admitted changing material from his collection. Very few of Niles' version seem to be authentic and not recreated to some extent. Since no other versions have been found in North America, caveat emptor.
Part of the ballad was printed in an issue of The Knickerbocker: Or, New-York Monthly Magazine, Volume 30, 1847 edited by Charles Fenno Hoffman, Lewis Gaylord Clark, Timothy Flint, John Holmes Agnew, Kinahan Cornwallis. It was not a US version but four stanzas and last stanza of Ritson's "The Ungrateful Knight and the Fair Flower of Northumberland."
R. Matteson 2014, 2018]
CONTENTS: (To access individual version--click on the title or the versions attached to this page on left column.)
1) The Deceived Girl- Mullens (Hazard, KY) 1932--From 1961 The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, from the singing of Taylor Mullins, Hazard, KY 1932.
2) The Sinful Maiden- Holcolm (Kentucky) 1932 --From the 1961 book, The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles. From the singing of Soloman Holcolm; Whiteburg, Kentucky; 1932.
3) Sin's Reward- Marcum (Clay City, Ky.) 1932--From the 1961 book, The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles. This song was taken down from the singing of Preacher Marcum, who was carrying on a "tent preaching" (a protracted meeting) near Clay City, Ky., in July 1932.