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The Unfortunate Rake
Folk Song
Folk Song
History:
The Unfortunate Rake
(
by 1740
)
Language
English
Region
Ireland
"The Unfortunate Rake" (also known as "The Unfortunate Lad" or "The Buck's Elegy") is the lament of a young man dying from a sexually transmitted disease (presumably syphilis, which in earlier centuries was 'cured' with mercury) and expressing pleas for his funeral. There is also a female version, "The Unfortunate Lass," in which a girl is dying for the same reason.
The Streets Of Laredo (Cowboy's Lament)
(
19th century
)
Language
English
Region
USA
Noted in
John Lomax "Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads" Sturgis & Walton, New York, 1910
In this version of the song, a wounded and dying cowboy tells his story to a passerby and offers wishes for his funeral.
The Sailor Cut Down In His Prime
(
late 19th century
)
Language
English
Region
USA, Virginia, Southern Appalachians
Noted in
Karpeles, M (Ed) Sharp C "English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Vol 2," Karpeles, M (Ed) Sharp C (1936) English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Vol 2, Karpeles, M (Ed) Sharp C (1936) English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, Vol 2, (1936)
This version was recorded by Cecil Sharp, an English folksong collector, during his 1918 trip through Virginia. A similar story about a sailor is told here.
The Young Girl Cut Down In Her Prime
(
19th century
)
Language
English
Region
USA, Kanada, England, Ireand
Also known as the "Bad Girl's Lament," the "bad" girl recounts how she reveled in the alehouse and the dance hall, then ended up in the poorhouse, and is now near death. She expresses her final wishes and asks young sailors to carry her coffin. This version is very widespread throughout the world.
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