Jean Ritchie
Jean Ritchie (December 8, 1922 – June 1, 2015) was an American folk singer … Read Full Bio ↴Jean Ritchie (December 8, 1922 – June 1, 2015) was an American folk singer and Appalachian dulcimer player. Became known as "The Mother of Folk". As well as work songs and ballads, Jean knew hymns from the "Regular Baptist" church she attended in Jeff, Kentucky. These were sung as "lining out" songs, in a lingering soulful way. One of the songs they sang was Amazing Grace. She wrote some songs, including one on the effects of strip mining in Kentucky. "My Dear Companion" appeared on the album "Trio" recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Judy Collins not only recorded some of Jean's traditional songs, "Tender Ladies" and "Pretty Saro", but used a photograph by George Pickow on the front of her album "Golden Apples of the Sun" (1962). Jean's fiftieth anniversary album was "Mountain Born" (1995), which features her two sons Peter and Jonathan Pickow. In 1954 Jean and George released some their UK recordings under the name "Field Trip". It was re-issued in 2001 on the Greenhays label. It has recordings by Elizabeth Cronin, Seamus Ennis and others, side by side with Ritchie family versions of the same songs. In 1996 the Ritchie Pickow Photographic Archive was acquired by the James Hardiman Library, National University of Ireland, Galway, along with tapes of Irish recordings. She has performed in Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, London. Her album "None But One" was awarded the Rolling Stone Critics award in 1977.
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Jean Ritchie Lyrics


A Short Life of Trouble A short life of trouble A few more words to part A…
Barbry Ellen All in the merry month of May When the green buds…
Black Is the Color But black is the color of my true love's hair His…
Black Waters I come from the mountains, Kentucky's my home Where the wild…
Careless Love Love, oh love, oh careless love You've fly through my head…
Fair Nottamun Town In Nottamun Town, not a soul would look up Not a…
Hangman Hangman, Hangman, slack up your rope, oh slack it for a…
Jubilee It′s all out on the old railroad All out on the…
Killiekranke Killy Kranky is my song Sing and dance it all day…
Let the Sun Shine Down On Me Roll on clouds in the mornin' Roll on clouds in the…
Lord Bateman Lord Bateman was a noble lord He thought himself of a…
Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender Oh mother oh mother come riddle it down Come riddle two…
Morning Come, Maria Gone Morning come and Maria's gone Morning come and Maria's gone …



No Sir Tell me why you are so cruel Tell me why you…
Nottamun Town In Nottamun Town, not a soul would look up Not a…
O Johnny's On The Water O Johnny's on the water let him sink or let…
Old Woman and Pig There was an old woman and she had a little…
One Morning In May One morning, one morning One morning in May I met a fair…
Over The River To Feed My Sheep Charlie′s neat, Charlie's sweet Charlie he′s a dandy Charlie…
Pretty Nancy Oh my sweet lovin' Nancy Would you think it unkind For me…
Shady Grove Cheeks as red as a blooming rose Eyes of the deepest…
The Little Devils There was an old man, and he lived near Hell. He…
Young Man Who Wouldn't Raise Corn Come all young ladies And listen to my song I'll tell you…


Lark Milius


on The Bluebird Song

The Bluebird Song by Jean Ritchie
When I was a young thing one summer day, dreaming under my apple tree; a great flock of bluebirds sailing through the sky, a spied my tree as they passed by.
And oh it was a wonderful sight to see, when they settled to rest in my apple tree. Count them said my mother. How? Said I. Out of the window came this reply
1 you’ll have sorrow, 2 you’ll have joy.
3 get a present, 4 get a boy.
5 receive silver, 6 receive gold.
7 a secret that’s never been told
8 a love letter with promises three
9 means your true loves as true as can be.

Only once in a lifetime the old folks say, the vision of the bluebirds will come your way. But only if you’re dreaming; only if you’re still; only in an apple tree on a green hill, So stop all your hurrin’ and worrin’ away. Take time for dreamin’ on a sunny day. Wait for the bluebirds when they come along, Tell your fortune with the bluebird’s song.
(spoken aside)The boys say it like this:
1 you’ll have gladness, 2 you’ll have strife.
3 get a present, 4 get a wife.
5 receive silver, 6 receive gold.
7 a secret that’s never been told
8 a love letter with promises three
9 means your true loves as true as can be

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