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

Dominion of the SwordInguranndo min’yō

Martin Carthy Dominion Of The Sword

A searing satire in which brute force rules over law and speech—an unforgettable English folk song.

Originally a ballad born amid the turmoil of the 17th-century Civil War, it was revived in modern times by a titan of the British folk scene, Martin Carthy.

Set to a traditional Breton melody, the steely ring of his guitar and his spoken-like vocal delivery sharpen the song’s timeless message.

You can hear it on the album “Right of Passage,” released in November 1988.

Its selection as theme music for Shakespeare’s history play Henry VI also seems to attest to the work’s strong narrative power.

It’s a track you’ll want to sit with when you feel like contemplating society’s contradictions and the surges of history.

GreensleevesInguranndo min’yō

Greensleeves – English Folk Song

An English folk song known for its melancholy tune about unrequited love for the Lady with the Green Sleeves.

The piece has been cherished since ancient times, with as many as 18 stanzas printed in the 1584 book A Handful of Pleasant Delights, and even being mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays.

Its graceful melody has transcended eras, serving as the tune for the Christmas carol What Child Is This? and appearing in the film How the West Was Won, among other uses.

The woman who appears in the lyrics has been interpreted in many ways, and this enigmatic narrative is a core part of the work’s deep allure.

It is a perfect piece for moments when you want to bask in the romance of history or quietly calm your heart.

I Will Give My Love An AppleInguranndo min’yō

ANÚNA : I Will Give My Love an Apple

Among English folk songs, this is a particularly charming piece known as a riddle song.

Its mysterious lyrics tickle the imagination, as the singer offers their beloved things like “an apple without a core” and “a house without a door.” The song is structured so that the riddle is revealed in the latter half: it turns out to be a deeply romantic allegory about offering one’s whole self—one’s head and heart—to the beloved.

One of its appeals is the simple pentatonic melody, which further highlights the purity of that feeling.

The song has been passed down since long ago, with a record showing it was notated in Dorset in 1906.

Benjamin Britten’s arrangement is also well known, and you can hear it on the classic album Music for Voice and Guitar, performed by tenor Peter Pears and guitarist Julian Bream.

It’s the perfect piece for those who want to savor the deep affection hidden behind wordplay, or for a quiet night of reflecting on someone dear.

Rufford Park PoachersInguranndo min’yō

The Longest Johns | Rufford Park Poachers

English folk music features many heartwarming melodies, but among them are also powerful works that convey the weight of history.

One famous example is a ballad that recounts a real incident from around 1851.

Its theme is the tragic clash between laborers, who formed a poaching gang out of economic hardship, and the gamekeepers—an unflinching story indeed.

Sung to a lyrical melody are the resistance and urgent cries of the people of the time.

The first commercial recording of this song was made in July 1908, when musicologist Percy Grainger recorded English folk singer Joseph Taylor’s performance.

Since then, it has been passed down by many folk singers, notably featured by Martin Carthy on his classic album “Out of the Cut.” Listening to it when you want a glimpse of British history may stir a different kind of feeling.

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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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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