Version 1 Play/Download Music File Lesley Nelson |
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This tune has variants in England, America (the Appalachians) and in Canada. This is the version from the Appalachians, as sung by Jean Ritchie. For another version see Bachelor's Hall (2)
In this version the woman sings the first verses and a man sings the last line in the third verse and the last verse. A broadside of completely different song named Bachelor's Hall, by Charles Dibdin was printed by Catnach sometime between 1813 and 1838. (A copy can be found at the Bodleian Library.) Rev. S. Baring-Gould collected a version of Bachelor's Hall which begins, "To Bachelor's Hall we brave sportsmen invite.." It appears there may be several versions of the song. |
Oh hard is my fortune and hard is my fate, |
From
Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians As sung by Jean Ritchie See Bibliography for full information. |