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Author
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Comment
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storywyse
Registered User
(1/25/07 10:13 am)
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Ballad question
I'm learning the ballad called, A Blacksmith Courted Me." She's in love with a blacksmith, don'tchaknow, and he says he loves her too, and proves it by lying with her, and then goes off across the sea "gathering primroses." Seems like an odd thing for a handsome, virile fellow to be doing. Does anyone know if "gathering primroses" is ballad/folktale code for something else? She's worried the sun will burn his beauty and vows to seek her love and do her duty...
Well, strange news comes to town: he's married!
I like this ballad because her declaration in the end is, "I shall not die for love, he need not fear me."
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Writerpatrick
Registered User
(1/25/07 1:53 pm)
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Re: Primrose
I found a couple of sites that give some folklore about the primrose:
www.englishplants.co.uk/primrose.html
and www.vivagarden.com/flower...ndex.html.
I also found a site with the ballad at www.pteratunes.org.uk/Mus...mith.html.
The flower seems to be associated with fairies, but from what I can gather the reference probably refers to a "legend that Primroses sprang from the body of Paralisos (the Primrose's ancient name) after he died of a broken heart." There also seems to be some mention of them being used to promise marriage, but the Paralisos legend would probably be the more likely reference.
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Rosemary Lake
Registered User
(1/26/07 5:22 am)
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wondering
Primrose path? Sowing wild oats?
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storywyse
Registered User
(1/29/07 10:37 am)
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Re: Ballad question
Thanks for the replies. I too had thought of sowing wild oats and the websites proved very helpful.
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Troy Patterson
Registered User
(2/2/07 5:45 pm)
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Re: Ballad question
I can't claim any knowledge of the fairytale however, fairytales reflect the human condition. As such, I would speculate that the fellow has gone off to find himself, to recapture something, to complete himself, to be or feel worthy of her love.
There is a disparity in their positions in life apparently, providing motivation for the quest. Also, from what I vaguely remember, isn't there usually some significant conflict associated with this sort of love - typical in fairytales which may also be a motivating factor for the travels?
The "fellow" may never return if he is inable to overcome or accomplish the necessary task(s) or to develop his self-esteem. If this is the case, he likely will seek the security of a woman, rather than the love of the fair maiden left behind.
There was a great movie released a year or two which touched on this premise. Don't remember the name.
Troy Patterson TMPCarbs.net TMP Carbs
Edited by: Troy Patterson at: 2/3/07 12:34 am
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ErmineLady
Registered User
(2/22/07 12:23 pm)
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Gathering primroses
I would guess this is a "floating line" which has simply been co-opted into the song because it fitted and doesn't really mean a good deal... this song shares a tune with BRAVE WOLF - a song about the death of General Wolf at Quebec, which has led to the very strange verse:
Strange news is come to town, strange news is carrried
Some say brave Wolf is dead, some say he's married
(which doesn't mean a lot either) and it is prone to shifting lines...
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