King Henry (song)

"King Henry" is Child ballad 32. [Francis James Child, "The English and Scottish Popular Ballads", [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch032.htm "King Henry"] ]

It is a version of the tale of the loathly lady. This form of the tale appears in Hrólfr Kraki's saga and also in the Scottish tale, "The Daughter Of King Under-Waves". [Francis James Child, "The English and Scottish Popular Ballads", v 1, p 297, Dover Publications, New York 1965] A similar bride is found in "The Marriage of Sir Gawain". [Francis James Child, "The English and Scottish Popular Ballads", v 1, p 298, Dover Publications, New York 1965]

ynopsis

King Henry goes hunting, kills a deer, and goes his hall. A horrible ghost appears. He calls her "Lady" and gives her his mantle. She demands that he kill his horse, his hounds, and his hawks to feed her, and then that he lie down beside her in bed.

The text breaks off here.

In the morning, she is transformed into a beautiful lady, because he has given her all she willed.

Versions

Steeleye Span included it in the 1972 album "Below the Salt".
Martin Carthy also recorded a version, currently available on "" disk 4 'Child:Carthy'

References