[English Folk Song] A collection of classic British trad masterpieces

The Trees They Grow So HighInguranndo min’yō

The Trees They Do Grow High

It’s a Scottish-origin ballad whose sorrowful tale stirs the heart in a way quite different from a cheerful folk song.

Also known by other titles such as “Long-A-Growing” and “Daily Growing,” this piece tells the tragic fate of a woman forced by her father to marry a much younger boy.

Her despair and love are palpable as she can do nothing but watch her husband’s brief life unfold: a husband at fourteen, a father while still young, and dead in battle at sixteen.

Since composer Ralph Vaughan Williams transcribed it in 1907, many may recognize it from notable performances by Joan Baez in the United States and Pentangle in the United Kingdom.

It’s a perfect song for a quiet night of reflection on a tragic love swept up in the currents of history.

Old Sir Simon the KingInguranndo min’yō

Old Sir Simon the King

“Old Sir Simon the King,” a traditional song from England, is a narrative piece themed around a king’s troubles.

There are several versions of the song, ranging from simple ones like in the video to more elaborate arrangements reminiscent of chamber music.

The melody is easy to enjoy, so even Japanese listeners can appreciate it.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Here’s Adieu, Sweet Lovely NancyInguranndo min’yō

Here’s Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy

“Here’s Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy” is a traditional English folk song that has been covered by many musicians.

There are various versions of the song, but it is best known as a ballad sung by a sailor thinking of the girlfriend he left ashore.

In an era when transportation was not as developed as it is today, it was loved as a song sung by sailors who would spend years on a single voyage.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Brave BenbowInguranndo min’yō

Brave Benbow (Traditional)

It is a traditional English song filled with both the valor and the sorrow of seafaring men.

The song is based on an actual naval battle that took place in 1702, telling the story of an admiral who fought to the end despite being gravely wounded.

It even includes graphic descriptions—such as the loss of a leg—that give it the distinctive intensity of a folk song.

By the 1820s it already existed in printed form, and recorded versions include Danny Spooner’s 1968 album “Soldiers and Sailors (Folksingers of Australia Volume 2).” It’s also intriguing that composer Ralph Vaughan Williams used this melody for his 1923 arrangement, the suite “Sea Songs.” Listening while imagining the historical background offers a different kind of depth and flavor.

When the Boat Comes InInguranndo min’yō

When The Boat Comes In – Geordie Folk Song

This is an English folk song with a heartwarming tune that has been passed down in a northern English port town.

The traditional lyrics depict a family waiting for the father to return from fishing, conveying the gentle affection found in everyday life.

It has also long been cherished as a lullaby, and its gentle melody carries a nostalgic warmth that brings a sense of calm.

The piece is so old that its first appearance can be traced to a book published in 1849, and it gained renewed recognition when it was used as the theme song for the BBC television drama of the same name, When The Boat Comes In, which began airing in 1976.

It’s a perfect introduction to British trad, and a song to listen to when you want to spend a relaxed moment reflecting on history.

John BarleycornInguranndo min’yō

English Folk Song – John Barleycorn

In the English folk song “John Barleycorn,” the character John Barleycorn—who personifies barley, an essential grain for life, and the beer and whisky made from it—appears in the lyrics.

In the song, John Barleycorn is attacked and killed, but this is said to symbolize the harvesting of barley and the malting process.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Molly BawnAirurando min’yō

The Chieftains & Alison Krauss – Molly Ban

It’s a sad yet beautiful ballad that conjures up misty Irish scenery.

The story it tells is unbearably tragic: a young man out hunting mistakes his lover, hidden in the bushes, for a swan and shoots her.

The young man’s despair at losing his beloved is heartbreaking.

Yet the song’s depth lies in the fact that it doesn’t end as mere tragedy.

In some traditions, the lover’s spirit appears, forgives the young man’s mistake, and saves him.

It’s almost like a shapeshifting tale from Celtic mythology, suffused with a dreamlike atmosphere.

First appearing in print around 1799, it has been lovingly passed down by many singers, including The Dubliners on their album ‘At It Again.’ It’s perfect for a quiet night when you want to immerse yourself in the story—give it a thoughtful listen.

Henry MartinSukottorando min’yō

Henry Martin – Traditional Folk Song

It may well be that Scottish folk songs have long carried on the tales of Scotland’s desolate seas and the people who live by them.

This work is a grand narrative ballad that portrays the sorrow of a man who chooses the path of piracy to provide for his family.

His decision to escape poverty leads to a fateful clash with a British ship, and the story ends with him vanishing beneath the waves, pride still in his heart.

The powerful yet quiet melody seems to speak deeply of his resolve and melancholy.

The song originated as a ballad based on 17th-century historical events, evolving through oral tradition; the first recorded version was captured in 1937 by the Welsh singer Phil Tanner.

It later became more widely known when Joan Baez included it on her classic 1960 album “Joan Baez.” Knowing the historical background makes it all the more resonant.

The Broomfield HillSukottorando min’yō

The Broomfield Hill – Malinky

If you enjoy stories featuring quick-witted women, I recommend this song known as “Child Ballad No.

43.” It’s also familiar under various titles such as “The Green Broomfield” and “A Wager, a Wager.” The ballad tells of a maiden who wins a dangerous bet with a gentleman through seemingly magical cleverness, and her cool, chaste exit is truly exhilarating! The piece is well known thanks to folk luminary Martin Carthy, who recorded it on his 1965 debut album “Martin Carthy” and again on his 1971 album “Landfall.” Later, the large-ensemble band Bellowhead performed it on their 2010 album “Hedonism,” which sold over 60,000 copies.

I think it’s a song that will satisfy anyone who loves narrative-driven music!

Jack OrionInguranndo min’yō

Jack Orion

“Jack Orion” is a traditional folk song that has been passed down in England since long ago.

Many artists have sung it, but the most famous version is likely the one by Bert Jansch, a musician from Scotland in the United Kingdom.

The lyrics tell the story of a king and his son, who plays the harp, falling in love with another king’s daughter.

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Saitō Ayumu

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