"Black Is the Color (of My True Love's Hair)" (Roud 3103) is a traditional folk song first known in the USA in the Appalachian Mountains but originating from Scotland, as attributed to the reference to the Clyde in the song's lyrics. The musicologist Alan Lomax supported this Scottish origin, saying that the song was an American "re-make of British materials."
Many different versions of this song exist, some addressed to females and others addressed to males, as well as other differences:
- ...like some rosy fair... or ...like a rose so fair... or ... something wondrous fair
- ...the prettiest face and the neatest hands... or ...the sweetest face and the gentlest hands... or ...the clearest eyes and the strongest hands (addressed to a male)
- ...still I hope the time will come... or ...some times I wish the day will come... or ... I shall count my life as well begun, when he and I shall be as one.
- ...you and I shall be as one... or ...s/he and I can be as one...
These words are set to two distinct melodies, one of which is traditional and the other was written by the Kentucky folk singer and composer John Jacob Niles. Niles recalled that his father thought the traditional melody was "downright terrible", so he wrote "a new tune, ending it in a nice modal manner." This melody was used in the Folk Songs song cycle by Luciano Berio.
The song has become a part of the traditional repertory of Celtic music artists. In 1916, a recording was made by Mrs. Lizzie Roberts as "Black Is the Color". In the 1960s, Patty Waters sang an extended version for an ESP record which veered towards the avant garde and extremes of vocal improvisation, standing as a landmark in the use of folk tunes as a starting point to other musical areas.
Video Black Is the Color (of My True Love's Hair)
Recorded versions
Versions of the song have been recorded by many artists, including:
Maps Black Is the Color (of My True Love's Hair)
Settings
- 1964 - Luciano Berio - Folk Songs
Pop culture references
"Black Is the Color" is featured in The Twilight Zone season 3 episode entitled "The Passerby", which aired on October 6, 1961.
"Black Is The Color" is featured in the 1962 pilot for the western TV series Gallaway House, starring Johnny Cash, Merle Travis, Karen Downs and Eddie Dean.
"Black is the Color" is featured in The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. A sailor sings it to Heather as she and her new husband, Brandon Birmingham, pass by on the way to an inn before leaving London.
The "Lover's Lament" / "Love's Jewels" lyrics sung in Anne Bishop's Tir Alainn book series are loosely based on this song.
A cover of the song by Jim Moray featured on the Class season 1 finale "The Lost", appearing in both the post credit opening and closing fight sequence.
References
External links
- Song lyrics
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
Source of article : Wikipedia
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