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

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.

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.

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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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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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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Scarborough Fair (feat. Dave Swarbrick)Sukottorando min’yō

Lowlands of Holland (feat. Dave Swarbrick)

Among traditional folk songs passed down through the ages, there are not only cheerful ones but also many with sad stories.

“Lowlands of Holland” is one such folk song with a melancholy mood.

Said to have originated in Scotland, its lyrics portray a young wife mourning her husband who died in a war in the Low Countries.

It’s the kind of somber song you feel like listening to on a rainy day.

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Saitō Ayumu

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