The Twa Brothers
"The Twa Brothers" is a traditional ballad (Roud 38, Child 49) existing in many variants.[1]
Synopsis
Two brothers are wrestling when a blade that one of them is carrying mortally wounds the other; occasionally, one of them stabs the other intentionally.
Attempts to staunch the blood are not successful, and the dying brother tells the living one (usually) how to bury him, and (always) a long list of excuses to give the rest of the family, about his traveling to distant locations, to avoid admitting his death, ending with the injunction to tell his true love the truth.
Some variants end there.
In others, the living brother is taxed with the blood—as in "Edward" and "Lizie Wan"—and attempts to tell false tales do not work. He usually leaves, never to return.
In still others, the true love laments him so long that it disturbs the dead man in his grave, or she wants a kiss from the dead man—as in "The Unquiet Grave" or some variants of "Sweet William's Ghost"—and he asks her to stop and let him rest, or refuses it because it will kill her. In the American variant "The Rolling of the Stones", she "charmed her true love out of his grave."[2]
Parallels
This ballad, in several variants, contains most of the ballad "Edward", Child 13.[3]
Traditional Recordings
Many traditional recordings of the ballad were made in Scotland in the twentieth century, mostly from members of two particular traveller families. Notable performers include Jeannie Robertson,[4] her daughter Lizzie Higgins[5] and nephew Stanley Robertson,[6] as well as Belle Stewart[7] (on the album O'er his grave the Grass Grew Green, 1988) and her daughter Sheila Stewart[8] (on The Muckle Sangs, 1975). The unrelated Scottish singer Lucy Stewart sang a similar version which was recorded by Peter Kennedy in 1955 and later included on The Voice of the People (along with Belle Stewart's recording) and Good People take Warning (2012). Jeannie Robertson's recording is available on the Tobar an Dualchais website.[9]
The majority of traditional recordings were made in the United States. Alan Lomax's recordings of Clay Walters (1937),[10] Texas Gladden (1941)[11] and her brother Hobart Smith (1942)[12] are among several Appalachian recordings. Texas Gladden and Hobart Smith's recordings were eventually released on Texas Gladden, Ballad Legacy (2001) and Hobart Smith, Blue Ridge Legacy (2001) respectively. Many Ozark recordings were also made, such one performed by Evelyn Skaggs of Wayton, Arkansas (1954) and another by George Lay of Fayetteville, Arkansas[13] which can be heard online courtesy of the Max Hunter Folk Collection.[14] Helen Hartness Flanders also recorded several versions along the east coast.[15][16][17]
Popular Recordings
- sung by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger on Two-Way Trip (1961)
- sung by Silly Wizard on Caledonia's Hardy Sons (1978)
- sung by Nic Jones on the 1971 album Nic Jones
- sung by Alasdair Roberts on the 2005 album No Earthly Man
- sung by Yorkston/Thorne/Khan on the 2020 album Navarasa: Nine Emotions
References
- ^ Francis James Child, English and Scottish Popular Ballads, "The Twa Brothers"
- ^ "The Rolling of the Stones".
- ^ Francis James Child, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, v 1, p 167, Dover Publications, New York 1965
- ^ "The Twa Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S224141)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "The Twa Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S224131)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Two Little Boys (Roud Folksong Index S336687)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Two Pretty Boys (Roud Folksong Index S224386)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Twa Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S254528)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Tobar an Dualchais Kist O Riches". www.tobarandualchais.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "The Two Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S265232)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "The Two Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S254659)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Two Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S254636)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Two Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S254634)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Song Information". maxhunter.missouristate.edu. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Edward Ballad (Roud Folksong Index S233996)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Two Brothers (Roud Folksong Index S254640)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Martyr John (Roud Folksong Index S272203)". The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
External links
- The Twa Brothers
- v
- t
- e
- Sir Aldingar
- Alison and Willie
- Allison Gross
- Andrew Lammie
- Archie o Cawfield
- Kinmont Willie
- Auld Matrons
- Babylon
- The Baffled Knight
- The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington
- Barbara Allen
- The Battle of Otterburn
- The Beggar-Laddie
- Adam Bell
- The Bent Sae Brown
- Bessy Bell and Mary Gray
- Blancheflour and Jollyflorice
- The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood
- Bonnie Annie
- The Bonnie Earl O' Moray
- Bonnie George Campbell
- Bonny Baby Livingston
- Bonny Bee Hom
- The Bonny Birdy
- The Bonny Hind
- The Bonnie House of Airlie
- The Bonny Lass of Anglesey
- Bonny Lizie Baillie
- The Boy and the Mantle
- Broom of the Cowdenknowes
- The Broomfield Hill
- Broughty Wa's
- Brown Adam
- The Brown Girl
- Brown Robin
- Brown Robyn's Confession
- Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane
- Burd Isabel and Earl Patrick
- Captain Ward and the Rainbow
- Captain Wedderburn's Courtship
- The Carnal and the Crane
- The Cherry-Tree Carol
- The Ballad of Chevy Chase
- Child Maurice
- Child Owlet
- Child Waters
- Christopher White
- Clerk Colvill
- Clerk Saunders
- The Clerk's Twa Sons o Owsenford
- The Crafty Farmer
- Crow and Pie
- The Cruel Brother
- The Cruel Mother
- The Daemon Lover
- The Death of Parcy Reed
- The Death of Queen Jane
- Dick o the Cow
- Dives and Lazarus
- The Dowie Dens o Yarrow
- Dugall Quin
- The Duke of Athole's Nurse
- The Duke of Gordon's Daughter
- Earl Brand
- Earl Crawford
- The Earl of Errol
- The Earl of Mar's Daughter
- Earl Rothes
- Edom o Gordon
- Edward
- The Elfin Knight
- Eppie Morrie
- Erlinton
- Fair Annie
- The Fair Flower of Northumberland
- Fair Janet
- Fair Margaret and Sweet William
- Fair Mary of Wallington
- The False Lover Won Back
- The Famous Flower of Serving-Men
- The Farmer's Curst Wife
- Fause Foodrage
- The Fause Knight Upon the Road
- The Friar in the Well
- The Gardener
- The Gay Goshawk
- Geordie
- The George Aloe and the Sweepstake
- A Gest of Robyn Hode
- Get Up and Bar the Door
- Gil Brenton
- Glasgerion
- Glasgow Peggie
- Glenlogie
- The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry
- The Grey Cock
- Gude Wallace
- The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
- Battle of Harlaw
- The Heir of Linne
- Hind Etin
- Hind Horn
- Hobie Noble
- Hughie Graham
- James Hatley
- Jamie Douglas
- Jellon Grame
- Jock o' the Side
- Jock the Leg and the Merry Merchant
- John Dory
- John of Hazelgreen
- Johnie Cock
- Johnie Scot
- Johnnie Armstrong
- The Jolly Beggar
- The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield
- Judas
- Katharine Jaffray
- The Keach i the Creel
- Kemp Owyne
- Kempy Kay
- King Arthur and King Cornwall
- King Edward the Fourth and a Tanner of Tamworth
- King Estmere
- King Henry
- King Henry Fifth's Conquest of France
- King John and the Bishop
- The King's Disguise, and Friendship with Robin Hood
- The King's Dochter Lady Jean
- Lang Johnny More
- The Kitchie-Boy
- The Knight and the Shepherd's Daughter
- The Knight's Ghost
- The Knoxville Girl
- The Lads of Wamphray
- Lady Alice
- Lady Diamond
- Lady Elspat
- Lady Isabel
- Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight
- Lady Maisry
- The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea
- The Laird o Drum
- The Laird o Logie
- Lamkin
- The Lass of Roch Royal
- Leesome Brand
- Sir Lionel
- Little John a Begging
- Lizie Lindsay
- Lizie Wan
- The Lochmaben Harper
- Lord Ingram and Chiel Wyet
- Lord Lovel
- Lord Maxwell's Last Goodnight
- The Lord of Lorn and the False Steward
- Lord Randall
- Lord Saltoun and Auchanachie
- Lord Thomas and Fair Annet
- Lord Thomas and Lady Margaret
- Lord Thomas Stuart
- Lord William
- The Maid and the Palmer
- The Maid Freed from the Gallows
- The Marriage of Sir Gawain
- Mary Hamilton
- Matty Groves
- The Mermaid
- The Mother's Malison
- The New-Slain Knight
- The Noble Fisherman
- Northumberland Betrayed By Douglas
- Old Robin of Portingale
- Sir Orfeo
- Prince Heathen
- Prince Robert
- Proud Lady Margaret
- Queen Elanor's Confession
- The Queen of Elfan's Nourice
- The Queen of Scotland
- The Rantin Laddie
- Redesdale and Wise William
- Richie Story
- Riddles Wisely Expounded
- Robin Hood and Allan-a-Dale
- Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne
- Robin Hood and Little John
- Robin Hood and Maid Marian
- Robin Hood and Queen Katherine
- Robin Hood and the Beggar
- Robin Hood and the Bishop
- Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford
- Robin Hood and the Butcher
- Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar
- Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
- Robin Hood and the Monk
- Robin Hood and the Pedlars
- Robin Hood and the Potter
- Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon
- Robin Hood and the Ranger
- Robin Hood and the Scotchman
- Robin Hood and the Shepherd
- Robin Hood and the Tanner
- Robin Hood and the Tinker
- Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight
- Robin Hood Newly Revived
- Robin Hood Rescuing Three Squires
- Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly
- Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valor, and Marriage
- Robin Hood's Chase
- Robin Hood's Death
- Robin Hood's Delight
- Robin Hood's Golden Prize
- Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham
- Robyn and Gandeleyn
- The Rose of England
- Rose the Red and White Lily
- Saint Stephen and Herod
- Sheath and Knife
- Sir Cawline
- Sir James the Rose
- Sir Patrick Spens
- The Suffolk Miracle
- The Sweet Trinity
- Sweet William's Ghost
- Tam Lin
- Thomas o Yonderdale
- Thomas the Rhymer
- The Three Ravens
- Tom Potts
- A True Tale of Robin Hood
- The Twa Brothers
- The Twa Magicians
- The Twa Sisters
- The Unquiet Grave
- Walter Lesly
- The Wee Wee Man
- The West Country Damosel's Complaint
- The White Fisher
- The Whummil Bore
- The Wife of Usher's Well
- The Wife Wrapt in Wether's Skin
- Will Stewart and John
- Willie and Earl Richard's Daughter
- Willie and Lady Maisry
- Willie o Douglas Dale
- Willie o Winsbury
- Willie's Fatal Visit
- Willie's Lady
- Willie's Lyke-Wake
- The Wylie Wife of the Hie Toun Hie
- Young Andrew
- Young Beichan
- Young Benjie
- The Young Earl of Essex's Victory over the Emperor of Germany
- Young Hunting
- Young Johnstone
- Young Peggy
- Young Ronald
- Young Waters