Tag: Edward
Edward is a traditional murder ballad existing in several variants. In English its versions were collected by Francis James Child as Child ballad number 13. The Roud numer is 200.
A mother questions her son about the blood on his sword. He puts her off with claims that it is his hawk, his horse, in some combination, but finally admits that it is his brother, or his father, whom he has killed. He declares that he is leaving and will never return, and various creatures (wife, children, livestock) will have to fare without him. His mother then asks what she will get from his departure. He answers “a curse from hell” and implicates his mother in the murder.
This ballad may not be complete in itself. Large portions of the ballad are also found in the longer ballads “The Twa Brothers” (Child 49) and “Lizie Wan” (Child 51).
This ballad type also was found in Northern Europe, where it is often known under “Svend i Rosensgård” or a similar name. Its general Scandinavian classification is TSB D…
