'The Cruel Sister' ~ Old Blind Dogs

[@vladislavtasic3377]

"And there she floated just like a swan" - this line gives me chills... What a song..

[@graineag]

Probably one of the most widely-traveled ballads from the British Isles. "An Bhean Udaí Thall" and "A' Bhean Eudach" are Irish and Scottish Gaelic narrative songs of a similar theme. The "Cruel Sister" ballad is found in a number of incarnations in both Scotland and England, and was also collected in Appalachia, where the minstrels made a fiddle or a banjo from the woman's bones.

[@TriforceRich]

Now this is what you call music

[@moxiemontoya4893]

Oh my god.. I feel like I just found my way home with this song ❤

[@louiekariofillis8516]

Same

[@Liliputian07]

metal is *not* the darkest genre it's murder ballads murder ballads are freaky as hell

[@lyndamiller453]

Liliputian07 Truth!

[@RenneAtha]

Hahahaha I'm going to show this to whoever tells me their metal is hardcore, ever again Edit: I think part of it is that murder ballads are generally sung in such a chilled way. It's the contrast between the lyrics and the music that makes it so freaky. :O

[@soslothful]

Tunes about crows?

[@stefanovitali2925]

@@soslothful Twa Corbies, Steeleye Span's version. Creepy amazing

[@roberttail1676]

Duh. Dark Blues is too.

[@11gokey]

What an absolutely powerful version of this great classic. I get chills!

[@jeremythomas3064]

Drinking a pint of stout and listening to this on a tuesday is refreshing indeed

[@gaborhari8024]

Just found the Hungarian version of the ballad: after the the elder sister (or sisters) murdered the younger, she was buried, from her grave a tree has grown. A shepherd made a flute from the tree. It's title was like: Three girls collecting strawberry.

[@moonshineman5691]

Hello. I know I'm replying to an old comment here, but if you see this, could you send me a link to the Hungarian version?

[@nikolaosmosxakis3395]

very good..........................................................................

[@giovannimazzucchelli7487]

Wonderful rendition of a masterpiece

[@rbkiernan]

I've always loved this song in all of its incarnations, including Loreena McKennit's "The Bonny Swans" as well as others with the same story but different music - but I believe this particular version by Old Blind Dogs will always be my favorite.

[@cocochanelleke]

This is the first time I hear men singing Cruel Sister; only knew the version of Pentangle. When I was young, singing this song to people and inviting chorus from them gained me a bed to sleep, food and a bit of money to get back home. Thanks for posting, SilverWolfMoon

[@SilverWolfMoon]

Yes, it has several titles - 'The Cruel Sister' {OBD, Pentangle} / 'Two Sisters' {Clannad, Jim Morray} / 'Wind and Rain' {Julie Fowlis}, plus Loreena McKennitt's blend of the lot 'The Bonny Swans'.

[@claypots47]

OMNIA does a version called "Harp of Death".

[@YAUUN]

Also Binnorie and Ewan McColl sang a version called Minorie which is apparently IIRC based on the version recorded by Child

[@quasarsphere]

Also "Bows Of London" by Martin and Eliza Carthy

[@DDowson284]

I have liked many versions of this song but Ian F Benzie's voice just nails this one for me.

[@keltyk]

my god this one gets deeper and better and intenser as it progresses- Are they massively underrated or what?

[@Moonchild1607]

I love this cruel tale! It has become my favorite song the last 2 years. I always start at least humming to the tune when I hear it! 😍

[@dangalos]

I first heard this song in a rendition done by the Minstrels of Mayhem. This is an equally wonderful version. The one by Folque i also spectacular.

[@Drowfan]

Beautiful! I like the version of Loreena McKennit too.

[@keltyk]

classic rendition- this one's a keeper for absolute sure

[@Meamoons]

Lyrics: There lived a lady by the north sea shore Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom Twa daughters were the bairns she bore Fa la la la la la la la la la One was as bright as is the sun Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom Sae coal black grew the elder one Fa la la la la la la la la la A knight came riding to the ladies' door Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom He travelled far to be their wooer Fa la la la la la la la la la He courted one, aye with gloves and rings Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom But he loved the other above all things Fa la la la la la la la la la "Sister, sister won't you walk with me Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom An' see the ships sail upon sea?" Fa la la la la la la la la la And as they stood on that windy shore Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom The elder sister pushed the younger o'er Fa la la la la la la la la la Sometimes she sank or sometimes she swam Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom Crying, "Sister, reach to me your hand" Fa la la la la la la la la la And there she floated just like a swan Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom The salt sea carried her body on Fa la la la la la la la la la Two minstrels walking by the north sea strand Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom They saw the maiden, aye float to land Fa la la la la la la la la la They made a harp out of her breast bone Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom The sound of which would melt a heart of stone Fa la la la la la la la la la They took three locks of her yellow hair Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom And wi' them strung that harp so rare Fa la la la la la la la la la The first string that those minstrels tried Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom Then terror seized the black-haired bride Fa la la la la la la la la la The second string played a doleful sound Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom "The younger sister, oh she is drowned" Fa la la la la la la la la la The third string, it played beneath their bow Lay the bairn tae the bonnie broom "And surely now her tears will flow" Fa la la la la la la la la la

[@dorisfischer8511]

again the best Feeling when thinking back in another livetime...never come back but Music still there

[@bocklinskitten4335]

could you please answer me, cause we have the same name, but I would never give it to the net

[@Raidomso]

I came upon this COMPLETELY accidentally, and I loved it. I've already ordered "The World's Room", can't wait to get it!

[@karenvarian1174]

One of my favorite bands. This version is as good as Pentangle's. Thank you!

[@frozenbiker]

One of my favourite OBD songs.

[@blacksunfish]

Gorgeous, powerful rendition.

[@TheStratovarian]

I can recall reading this as story, but song, as with words, are two unique, but utterly different languages, both grand to the one listening.

[@1962beachboy]

Spectaculous!

[@Lossinparadise]

How I love this song!

[@PaddyWolfe]

This version is pretty universal. I remember hearing my grandma singing it almost exactly the same and she says she was singing it that way long before Pentangle did.

[@abraquinn6627]

It's a Child ballad -- a traditional folk song collected by a scholar, dating back to at least the 17th century in the British Isles, and carried to the American colonies... there are many, many different versions of the murderous jealous sister.

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@ Markus Wagner As I've said in the drop-down comments, Loreena's 'The Bonny Swans' is her own mixture of the elements of the various traditional songs: 'The Cruel Sister' / 'The Two Sisters' / 'Wind and Rain' - which just shows how inspiring the old tales still are!

[@lostinmusic5431]

My favourite version of this amazing song and therefore in my Folk, World & Classic playlist

[@johnturner4300]

love this song so much

[@StuartHetzler]

This is the best version I've heard

[@Teddyb1939]

This is lovely,folk at it's best.

[@imaginacine4219]

Very pure sound!

[@mousegaia]

Beautiful. Thank you.

[@twilighttitania]

LOVE IT...ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT,,,

[@MSKChess]

phenomenal band, best Scotland has produced.

[@davelow7586]

Fabulous!

[@mossahallo7683]

Oh ilove this song

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@darkfey1963 There seems to be two main threads, but you only sometimes find both in each song: 1) The drowned sister is found by a miller {or similar}, robbed and thrown back in the water. 2) The body is found by passing minstrels who use her hair and bones to make either a harp or a fiddle. Swans are only occasionally mentioned in the main songs, like the line about "... and there she floated just like a swan..."

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

Where can I find the lyrics?

[@PhalainaBelgium]

Well played and sung !! Phalaïna

[@xDerDerx]

Love this long!!!

[@barbh1]

so beautiful!

[@unseelie63]

Love this.

[@indetroit442]

love it!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dorisfischer8511]

never been there but favourite love on my own, singing

[@treniki]

Это потрясающе!

[@Woedans]

I’m trying to find out if there is a traditional Dutch version of this. The North sea is after all also out sea and the song is found in so many versions there has to be a rendition of it in our language.

[@SilverWolfMoon]

Well, OBD sing it as "Lay the bairn to the bonny broom", bairn being Scottish for baby or small child. I'm not sure about 'broom', but it probably means the plant / shrub. I wonder if the original "bent to the bonny broom" had anything to do with making a besom broom ~ 'bent' being the handle stick...? I found Pentangle's version because of OBD, and they credit it as their direct influence :)

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@YasuKikyo No one really knows the origins. The song has versions with different titles and lyrics {but always the same basic story} in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and parts of Britany, amongst other places. Most Celtic Folk is about murder, treachery, and general 'darkness'!

[@irland1961]

love the obd`s!!Genial. Guiness /Germany

[@amalou344]

Love it! 💗

[@SilverWolfMoon]

Wow ~ this is the sort of information I love :)

[@carollizc]

@Meghan R I think the original situation may haveiblical story about Jacob, Rachel and Leah - Leah was the elder and he had to marry her first, then work for the chance to marry Rachel, whom he loved. In this case, only one girl could marry, and it's obvious that the elder wasn't going to be shuffled off to a convent somewhere, while the younger stole her chance at marriage.

[@Ambidexter143]

Do itinerant minstrels generally cut up drowned women to make musical instruments from their body parts?

[@Ambidexter143]

Good point. You've got to use whatever materials are readily at hand.

[@jellyphish2112]

+Michael Neville She did float up, so seems a waste if not...

[@durzoblint6105]

+Michael Neville Of course!

[@edweglein7924]

+Michael Neville Not mention what the sea life does to a body; who knows she might have been picked clean. :)

[@HalarEbon]

I read that as him being under supernatural influence, controlled by her ghost's desire for vengeance.

[@AlgrimBlack]

I think this song is so underrated, to me this is just as good as loch lomond or auld lang sine, love it

[@16semiquavers]

better actually!!!

[@NameOfRain]

@SilverWolfMoon It does sound like that! I looked up the lyrics, and I think the actual lyric is "boiled in lead". If you like, feel free to do your own checking. Personally, I like your "bored in bed" better, LOL!

[@christophluibl8881]

I prefer pentangle's version for its dark, lullaby-like monotony but this faster, more passionate rendition is also an interesting take

[@petefrench4198]

I played Pentangle's version at 1.25 speed and it was so much better!!

[@jaxonwhitehead4225]

"Once a wise man said Fallaalala la la la La la!"

[@darkfey1963]

Loreena McKennitt did a song with many similarities on "The Mask and The Mirror" called "The Bonny Swans" which I like,but I find I prefer this-hadn't heard it before tho I'm familiar with OBD.Obviously resonates very strongly in the Celtic countries.Maybe because the shattering of the bonds of kinship was regarded with such horror in older times,when those kinfolk,& your community,were so critical.Who else did you have?Good fuel for a singer's imagination.Gets an audience's attention!!

[@YAUUN]

Yup, The Cruel Sister, Two Sisters/Twa Sisters, Minnorie/Binnorie and The Bonny Swan are all variations on the same song.

[@frozenbiker]

Classic.

[@Djbearrob]

Ian F Benzie has the best voice! It just isn't the same group without him...

[@sushiroll7013]

Elder sister : THIS! IS! SPARTA!!!!!

[@MasterTaters]

Shreddin dat axe at 2:50

[@Trollificusv2]

That surely says more about Mr. Lightfoot than the song, though. And not a bad thing, either!

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@NameOfRain I think because there are so many versions, people have made little adaptations to the lyrics over the years, and maybe Clannad decided to go for a humourous ending!

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@donnbowers The band themselves said they took their inspiration from the Pentangle version. There are another two verses, but OBD only used them on the live version (which is on CD) which is not quite as good in sound & tempo as this studio recording.

[@adriennekraft2381]

This is the best cover of this song I've ever heard. I love this guy's voice. Who is the lead singer?

[@krombopoulosmichael]

I believe his name is Jonnie Hardie

[@Mathes1]

i thought it was ian benzie

[@brucenorrie875]

This is Ian Benzie

[@pianokate195]

Think it's Jonnie Hardie. But I might be wrong...

[@mikiemurray1279]

his name is ian f benzie

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@darkfey1963 Yes, there are many songs with the same basic theme but different titles. Personally, I have two versions of 'The Cruel Sister' {OBD and Pentangle}, two of 'The Two Sisters' {Clannad and Jim Moray}, a similar one to that called 'The Berkshire Tragedy' {Nancy Kerr & James Fagan}, 'The Wind and Rain' and 'Thig am Bàta' {Julie Fowlis}, and Loreena McKennitt's 'The Bonny Swans'.

[@SilverWolfMoon]

There is also a live version by the OBD, which includes 3 more verses. Unfortunately, the rest of it doesn't sound nearly as good as this studio version. If only they had recorded the full song :(

[@NameOfRain]

Maev did a version of this with a little "darker" sound. Clannad (the band, not the anime) did a version of this as well, but with slightly different lyrics- the elder sister ends up being killed by being boiled in lead- not a pleasent way to go! I never heard the Appalachia one, but I'm not really surprised to hear that it exists.

[@loridragon1118]

The Appalachian version is really pretty. It tells the same story, just slower and more subdued.

[@louiekariofillis8516]

Sick song . Fa lalalalala 🤘

[@SilverWolfMoon]

OBD also do a live version, which includes 2 extra verses {after verse 11}, and they reverse verses 12 & 13. Unfortunately, the overall performance isn't {to my mind} as good as the studio version.

[@cullanpadroclum]

Pretty Maid Freed from the Gallows/Gallis Pole/Hangman,Hangman (Child 95) is the most widely spread story. From Hungary to the British Isles to Appalachia (which is really just Ireland-Lite), there are at least 250 versions known. The only other one would be "The Outlandish Knight/Isabel and the Elfin knight"(Child 4)...which shows a history from as far east as Asia in 300BC.

[@them_that_loudly]

Where was this tune hiding all this time??

[@SilverWolfMoon]

This is currently my favourite version, too :) There is also a live version, with two or three extra verses. I also have the Clannad {totally different lyric} version 'Two Sisters', and Pentangle's 'The Cruel Sister', which was the version OBD were inspired by...

[@Wladislav_888]

Best!

[@TristanandIsolt]

So similar to "The Bonnie Swans" by Loreena McKennitt. Anybody who can tell me more about this?

[@SilverWolfMoon]

To repeat what I said 4 years ago: As I've said in the drop-down comments, Loreena's 'The Bonny Swans' is her own mixture of the elements of the various traditional songs: 'The Cruel Sister' / 'The Two Sisters' / 'Wind and Rain' - which just shows how inspiring the old tales still are!

[@TristanandIsolt]

I should have read more from the top. Thanks for the note. Old Blind Dogs are coming to Flagstaff, AZ where I live next Friday. I am trying to decide if I'm willing to spend the money to see them. I love Julie Fowlis so my next move is to check out Wind and Rain.

[@TheGrumpyGuide]

The tale has its origins in the ancient folk tale of The Swans of Coole.

[@courregesfranck1092]

❤

[@mossahallo7683]

oh i love this song they hallo from germany

[@stevestruthers6180]

What a great song. There's something about it that makes it sound like something Gordon Lightfoot would have written.

[@abraquinn6627]

It's a Child Ballad -- goes back to the 17th century or earlier in the British Isles... there are LOTS of different versions

[@diegozabala4155]

Could someone share the tablature of the arpeggio for this song? I can't manage to play it like this band ... Thanks!

[@whatimagination]

The Jerry Garcia Band also did another version "Oh, The Wind and Rain"

[@brianmackenzie9745]

Is this song public domain? I can't find out. I'd like to do a rendition with my group bug would rather not get sued

[@SilverWolfMoon]

As it's a traditional folk song (different renditions use different verses), I don't think anyone can claim copywright.

[@brianmackenzie9745]

@@SilverWolfMoon thank u!

[@crlcripps]

That's likely what's meant here. BTW, the plant's Latin name, plantagenista, refers to the English royal house Plantagenet, whose symbol it was. Great old song, done right, here. I,too, like it better than the Pentangle version. It has more immediacy, a greater sense of doom to it, where Pentangle's version, though good, is merely pretty alongside this one.

[@yekdeli]

@elrhiarhodan LIsten to Gillian Welch's version called "The Wind and Rain" for an Appalachian take!

[@SilverWolfMoon]

@NameOfRain The Clannad lyrics actually say "The elder sister was bored in bed" - to suggest that the 'true love' wasn't worth having!

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

The same subject as "The Twa Sisters"

[@gorgosaurusful]

So, Omnia took this version to make their own, "The harp of death"?

[@maryg6039]

Exactly, but it seems to be quite a famous folk song as it has been covered by many bands and under different names (see "Two sisters" by Clannad for example)

[@aaronmorse4883]

Gordon light foot probably modeled songs after this style because this song has been around for centuries

[@meredithwilliams4671]

There's an Irish version of this called "Wind and Rain", or maybe it's Irish-American? I'm not sure, but I like this one better.

[@SilverWolfMoon]

+Meredith Williams = It's Scottish - see this version by Julie Fowlis kzbin.info/www/bejne/iajcnatspL-ioK-nung in a mix of Scottish Gaelic and English

[@smolfrcanadiantb1387]

I think Altan had a song of that title

[@geomod6850]

Wind and Rain by Crooked Still? They are an American Modern Folk/Bluegrass band. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2rRhYpjab94kMk It is amazing. This song is so old and there are many versions in multiple languages.

[@kittyprydekissme]

There are lots of variants-- Scottish, English, and Irish. Scandinavian, too, if I haven't been misinformed. Bob Dylan borrowed some bits from Wind And Rain for Percy's Song, so you could include that among the different versions, too, if you like. But that song tells a completely different story.

[@claypots47]

Murder Ballads are, well, disturbing. Many Scottish/English Border Ballads involve murder. Always liked this version. have the CD it's on.

[@YasuKikyo]

Quite a morbid tale here (from what I can make out from the lyrics anyway). Could anyone explain the origins of this particular song to me please? I'm not that familiar with the Celtic folk scene. Just dipping my feet here ^^

[@christianrenteriadelafuent2786]

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@gbalstad]

Wow

[@Kadota52]

I love this song but does anyone know what is meant by 'Lay the bent to the bonnie broom?'

[@SilverWolfMoon]

The lyric is actually "Lay the bairn to the bonny broom" (bairn is baby/child, and broom in this sense a shrub plant, often found on open ground). I'm not certain of exactly how it fits with this song, but "The Cruel Sister" is supposed to have similar origins to "The Cruel Mother" {aka "The Rose and the Lindsay O'"/ "The Well"}, a song about a girl who murders her two newborn babies. So it may have been carried over from that song, referring to either abandoing the babies out on the moors (or similar land), or laying them on the broom when she killed them.

[@christophluibl8881]

SilverWolfMoon wow thank you that's really interesting. I'm very interested in the history of folk (especially the links between songs and their origins) and that was an amazing piece of information. Have a lovely day :)

[@SilverWolfMoon]

My pleasure :) Most of these 'Child Ballads' have a lot of crossover in lyrics and themes. For "The Cruel Mother", I recommend Emily Smith; "The Rose and the Lindsay O'" - Old Blind Dogs; and "The Well" - Omnia. Also Julie Fowlis' "Wind and Rain".

[@christophluibl8881]

SilverWolfMoon thank you I'm definitely gonna listen to them. Speaking of folk songs and their history, check out "The Cuckoo" by pentangle and the rendition by bluegrass banjo picker clarence ashley. The way the song changed on his way to America is fascinating :)

[@SilverWolfMoon]

I'm familiar with Pentangle's "The Cuckoo", but really prefer the John Renbourn solo version (it's in my uploads, if you've not heard it), which combines elements from various other versions.

[@ianmacdonald2559]

Compare to Pentangle's version, which is where Ian learned it from.

[@LarryBees]

Ian does it justice for sure!!

[@diane869]

wish i was there.../

[@bocklinskitten4335]

I always thought it was traditional, but it´s not?

[@SilverWolfMoon]

Yes, it's 'traditional', but like a lot of these songs there are various versions from different parts of the country - some including verses and themes used in other traditional songs.

[@mickeencrua]

Why do you say it's not traditional?