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John Riley

from Up The Cut by Jon Wilks

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JOHN RILEY [ROUD 270]

Roy Palmer recorded George Dunn singing this song on July 14th, 1971. While ‘John Riley’ is a well-known title in the traditional songs cannon, this seems to me to be rather different in lyrical and melodic content to many of the other versions I’ve heard.

It was one of those that leapt out at me from the source recording, and I’ve wondered many times since about why I haven’t found any other recordings of this particular version. While I find the final verse a little trite (surely the warning should be about not trusting fathers that go out hunting young men in the dead of night?), the haunting melody seems a peculiar one to overlook. I’d love to hear a great singer tackle this song. It’s ripe for the picking.

lyrics

John Riley was her true love's name
An honest man was he
He loved a farmer's daughter dear
As faithful as can be
Her father, he had riches
But John Riley, he was poor
Because she loved this honest man
He would not her endure

"Oh mother dear, oh mother dear
Where shall I send my love?
His very heart lies in my breast
As constant as a dove"
"Oh, daughter dear, I'm not severe
And here's a thousand pound
Send Riley to Americay
To purchase there some ground"

Soon as she's got the money
To John Riley she did run
"This very night to have your life
My father's charged the gun
But here's a thousand pound in gold
My mother sent to you
Go quickly to Americay
And quickly I'll pursue"

Soon as they've got the money
Next day they sailed away
But very quickly came a storm
That lasted all the day
The ship went down, all hands were lost
Her father grieved so sore
They found her in John Riley's arms
Drowned upon the shore

Upon her breast a note was found
It's written all in blood
Saying, "Cruel was my father
Who went out to shoot my love
But let this be a warning
To all you maidens gay
Never to let the lad you love
Sail to Americay

credits

from Up The Cut, released February 12, 2021
Arranged, performed and recorded by Jon Wilks.

Mixed and mastered by Andi Lee, Kosi Studios.

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Jon Wilks Whitchurch, UK

'The sort of performer folk circles mean when they talk of the living tradition' - Mike Davies, Folking.com

“One of the best of the New Wave of Folk Blokes. As a guitar player and arranger of traditional songs, Jon Wilks already deserves speaking of in the same breath as your Simpsons and your Morays.” – Ian A. Anderson, fRoots Mag ... more

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