"The Butcher’s Boy" or "The Butcher Boy" (

Laws Law is a set of rules that are created and are law enforcement, enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a Socia ...

P24,

Roud The Roud Folk Song Index is a database of around 250,000 references to nearly 25,000 songs collected from oral tradition in the English language from all over the world. It is compiled by Steve Roud. Roud's Index is a combination of the Broadsid ...

br>409
is an American

folk song Folk music is a music genre that includes #Traditional folk music, traditional folk music and the Contemporary folk music, contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be ca ...

derived from traditional English

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...

s. Folklorists of the early 20th century considered it to be a conglomeration of several English

broadside ballads A broadside (also known as a broadsheet) is a single sheet of inexpensive paper printed on one side, often with a ballad, rhyme, news and sometimes with woodcut illustrations. They were one of the most common forms of printed material between the ...

, tracing its stanzas to "Sheffield Park", "The Squire's Daughter", "A Brisk Young Soldier", "A Brisk Young Sailor" and " Sweet William (The Sailor Boy)" and " Died for Love". Steve Roud describes it as, "One of the most widely-known 'forsaken girl' songs in the American tradition, which is often particularly moving in its stark telling of an age-old story." In the song, a butcher's apprentice abandons his lover, or is unfaithful toward her. The lover hangs herself and is discovered by her father. She leaves a suicide note, which prescribes that she be buried with a turtle dove placed upon her breast, to show the world she died for love. This narrative use of the turtle dove is derived from

Old World The "Old World" () is a term for Afro-Eurasia coined by Europeans after 1493, when they became aware of the existence of the Americas. It is used to contrast the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia in the Eastern Hemisphere, previously ...

symbolism; it is analogous to the folksong interment motif of a rose, briar, or lily growing out of the neighboring graves of deceased lovers. In this respect, "Butcher's Boy" is related to the ballads "

Earl Brand "Earl Brand" (Child 7, Roudbr>23 is a pseudo-historical English ballad. Synopsis The hero, who may be Earl Brand, Lord Douglas, or Lord William, flees with the heroine, who may be Lady Margaret. A Carl Hood may betray them to her father, but they ...

", "

Fair Margaret and Sweet William "Fair Margaret and Sweet William" (Child 74, Roudbr>253 is a traditional English ballad which tells of two lovers, one or both of whom die from heartbreak. Thomas Percy included it in his 1765 '' Reliques'' and said that it was quoted as early a ...

", "

Lord Thomas and Fair Annet "Lord Thomas and Fair Annet" (), also known as "Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor", is an English folk ballad. Synopsis Lord Thomas (or Sweet Willie) is in love with Fair Annet, or Annie, or Elinor, but she has little property. He asks for advice. ...

", " Barbara Allen", and "

Lord Lovel Lord Lovel (Roud 49, Child 75) is an English-language folk ballad that exists in several variants. This ballad is originally from England, originating in the Late Middle Ages, with the oldest known versions being found in the regions of Gloucester ...

". Commercial recordings have been made by Kelly Harrell, by

Buell Kazee Buell Kazee (August 29, 1900 – August 31, 1976) was an American country and folk singer. He is considered one of the most successful folk musicians of the 1920s and experienced a career comeback during the American folk music revival of the 196 ...

(frequently re-issued, notably in the

Anthology of American Folk Music ''Anthology of American Folk Music'' is a three-volume compilation album released in August 1952 by Folkways Records. The album was compiled by experimental filmmaker Harry Smith from his own personal collection of 78 rpm records. It consists ...

) and by

the Blue Sky Boys The Blue Sky Boys were an American country music duo consisting of the brothers Earl Bolick (November 16, 1919 – April 19, 1998) and Bill Bolick (October 28, 1917 – March 13, 2008), whose careers spanned over forty years. Biography The bro ...

Variations

In some versions of the story, the heroine is impregnated by her lover before being abandoned. In others, he leaves her for a woman who is wealthier than she. The final line of the song often differs between some versions. For example, some lyrics include "till cherries grow on an apple tree." The location of the song also varies in certain versions; some set the song in More Street, or London City. The ballad has been popularly covered by commercially successful artists.

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (, ; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing mo ...

followed the text of

, and therefore changed the title to "The Railroad Boy."

Jean Ritchie Jean Ruth Ritchie (December 8, 1922 – June 1, 2015) was an American folk singer, songwriter, and Appalachian dulcimer player, called by some the "Mother of Folk". In her youth she learned hundreds of folk songs in the traditional way (orally, ...

recorded her adaptation of this song with

Doc Watson Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. He won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His ...

as "Go Dig My Grave."

Tommy Makem Thomas Makem (4 November 1932 – 1 August 2007) was an Irish folk music, folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, tin whistle, l ...

learned the version sung by his mother

Sarah Makem Sarah Makem (18 October 1900 – 20 April 1983) a native of Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was a traditional Irish singer. She was the wife of fiddler Peter Makem, mother of musicians Tommy Makem and Jack Makem, as well as daughte ...

, and recorded it both on a solo album and with

The Clancy Brothers The Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music group that developed initially as a part of the American folk music revival. Most popular during the 1960s, they were famed for their Aran jumpers and are widely credited with popularisi ...

Kirsty MacColl Kirsty Anna MacColl (, ; 10 October 1959 – 18 December 2000) was a British singer and songwriter. The daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl, she recorded several pop hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop ...

also recorded the song, and

Sinéad O'Connor Shuhada' Sadaqat (born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor; , ; 8 December 1966 – 26 July 2023) was an Irish singer, songwriter, record producer and activist. Her debut studio album, ''The Lion and the Cobra'', was released in 1987 and achieve ...

recorded it for the soundtrack of the film ''The Butcher Boy''. The ballad's tune is used for the American song "

The Ballad of the Green Berets "The Ballad of the Green Berets" is a 1966 patriotic song co-written and performed by Barry Sadler, in the style of a ballad about the United States Army Special Forces. It was one of the few popular songs of the Vietnam War years to cast the mi ...

" by

Barry Sadler Barry Allen Sadler (November 1, 1940 – November 5, 1989) was an American singer-songwriter and author whose military service influenced his work. After a stint in the United States Air Force, Sadler served in the United States Army as a Uni ...

Recordings

* Kelly Harrell "Butcher's Boy" 1925. *

Henry Whitter William Henry Whitter (April 6, 1892 – November 17, 1941) was an early old-time recording artist in the United States. He first performed as a solo singer, guitarist and harmonica player, and later in partnership with the fiddler G. B. Grays ...

"Butcher Boy" 1925. *

Vernon Dalhart Marion Try Slaughter (April 6, 1883 – September 14, 1948), better known by his stage name Vernon Dalhart, was an American country music singer and songwriter. His recording of the classic ballad " Wreck of the Old 97" was the first country son ...

"The Butcher's Boy" 1927 * Jeff Calhoun "The Butcher Boy" 1927. *

Carson Robison Carson Jay Robison ( – ) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Although his impact is generally forgotten today, he played a major role in promoting country music in its early years through numerous recordings and radio appear ...

"The Butcher Boy" 1928. *

Bradley Kincaid William Bradley Kincaid (July 13, 1895 – September 23, 1989) was an American folk singer and radio entertainer.Buell Kazee Buell Kazee (August 29, 1900 – August 31, 1976) was an American country and folk singer. He is considered one of the most successful folk musicians of the 1920s and experienced a career comeback during the American folk music revival of the 196 ...

"The Butcher's Boy (The Railroad Boy)" 1928. Vocal solo with 5-string banjo. Original Issue Brunswick 213A (032) *

"The Butcher's Boy" recorded in New York: January 16, 1928. Included on ''Anthology of American Folk Music: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings'' 1997. * Ephraim Woodie & The Henpecked Husbands "The Fatal Courtship" 1929. *

The Blue Sky Boys The Blue Sky Boys were an American country music duo consisting of the brothers Earl Bolick (November 16, 1919 – April 19, 1998) and Bill Bolick (October 28, 1917 – March 13, 2008), whose careers spanned over forty years. Biography The bro ...

"The Butcher's Boy" 1940. *

Peggy Seeger Margaret "Peggy" Seeger (born June 17, 1935) is an American Folk music, folk singer and songwriter. She has lived in Britain for more than 60 years and was married to the singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl until his death in 1989. She is a member ...

"The Butcher Boy" on ''Songs of Courting and Complaint'' 1955. *

"The Railroad Boy" on ''Joan Baez Volume 2'' 1961. *

"The Butcher Boy" on ''Songs of Tommy Makem'' 1961. *

"Go Dig My Grave" on ''Precious Memories'' 1962. * Vern Smeiser "The Butcher's Boy" 1963 on ''Art of Field Recording Volume 2''. *

and

"Go Dig My Grave" on ''Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson Live at Folk City'' 1963. *

The Goldebriars The Goldebriars were an American folk quartet in the early 1960s, most notable for including a young Curt Boettcher as a guitarist and vocalist. The group also included two sisters, Dotti and Sheri Holmberg, with Ron Neilson as lead guitarist an ...

"The Railroad Boy" 1964 on ''The Goldebriars''. *

with

"The Butcher Boy" on ''

Recorded Live in Ireland ''Recorded Live in Ireland'' is a 1965 album of Irish folk songs performed by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. It was the first live album to be recorded in stereo in Ireland. It was their sixth LP for Columbia Records and, unusually for th ...

''.1965. *

"The Butcher Boy" 1967 on

The Voice of the People ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

: ''Sarah Makem: The Heart Is True''. * Caroline Hughes "The Butcher Boy" 1968 on

: ''I'm A Romany Rai''. *

Ryan's Fancy Ryan’s Fancy was an Irish folk music group active from 1971–1983. The band consisted of multi-instrumentalists Denis Ryan, Fergus O'Byrne, and Dermot O'Reilly, all of whom were Irish immigrants to Canada. History 1967–1970: Early ...

"The Butcher Boy" on ''Newfoundland Drinking Songs'' 1973. *

"The Butcher Boy" on ''Caroline'' 1995. *

"The Butcher Boy" on ''The Butcher Boy'' (soundtrack) 1997. * Lambchop "The Butcher Boy" on ''

Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 36th vice president under P ...

'' 2000. * Dave Van Ronk "The Butcher Boy" on ''Dave Van Ronk: The Mayor of MacDougal Street'' 2005. * Lau "Butcher Boy" on

Lightweights and Gentlemen ''Lightweights and Gentlemen'' is the debut studio album by folk band Lau, released on March 19, 2007. Track listing ''All tracks arranged by Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O'Rourke'' # "Hinba" - 5:07 #* "Hinba" (O'Rourke) #* "Funny Weat ...

2007. *

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author and television host. According to ''Rolling Stone'', Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical ...

"The Butcher's Boy" on ''The Harry Smith Project: Anthology of American Folk Music Revisited'' 2006. *

Kronos Quartet The Kronos Quartet is an American string quartet based in San Francisco. It has been in existence with a rotating membership of musicians for 50 years. The quartet covers a very broad range of musical genres, including contemporary classical musi ...

and

Natalie Merchant Natalie Anne Merchant (born October 26, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter. She joined the band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and was lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the group. She remained with the group for their first seven albums before ...

"The Butcher's Boy" on ''Folk Songs'' (Kronos Quartet album) 2017. *

Susanna Wallumrød Susanna Karolina Wallumrød (born 23 June 1979) is a Norwegian vocalist, known for her low key original songs. She was born in Kongsberg, and is the sister of the drummer Fredrik Wallumrød and the pianist Christian Wallumrød; she is the cous ...

"Go Dig My Grave" on ''Go Dig My Grave'' 2018. *

The Mary Wallopers The Mary Wallopers are an Irish folk music group based in Dundalk, County Louth, originally consisting of brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy, and Sean McKenna. In 2022 the group expanded to include Róisín Barrett on bass, Brendan McInerney on dru ...

"The Butcher Boy" 2022. *

Lankum Lankum are a contemporary Irish folk music group from Dublin, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Ian Lynch, Daragh Lynch, Cormac MacDiarmada and Radie Peat. Originally a duo consisting of the Lynch brothers, known as Lynched, the pair relea ...

"Go Dig My Grave" on ''False Lankum'' 2023. *

Tilda Swinton Katherine Matilda Swinton (born 5 November 1960) is a British actress. She is known for playing eccentric and enigmatic characters, often working with auteurs. Her accolades include an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and a Volpi Cup, in addit ...

Tarwater (band) Tarwater is a German music duo comprising Bernd Jestram and Ronald Lippok. Tarwater have recorded several albums of mostly instrumental music usually tagged as post-rock. History Jestram and Lippok met in an East German punk rock band, and began ...

on ''Sick Bag Song'' (Audio Play) 2023.

References

External links

Butcher's Boy at the Folk Music Index
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butchers Boy Irish folk songs 1926 singles Year of song unknown American folk songs Songs with unknown songwriters