Ace frontier artist Gary Zaboly scouted up some old folk songs from the New England Frontier. They were collected during the Great Folk Scare of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Smithsonian Folkways released Witches and War Whoops in 1962. Title probably wouldn’t fly these days.
This album brings together a sinister and unusual collection of songs about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, collected and performed by John Allison. The somber melody reflects the solemn lyrics that recount evil and punishments: “They hanged this weary woman then like a felon stout; Her white hairs on the cruel rope were scattered all about. And many knew her innocent of horrid charges made…” Liner notes include detailed information by Allison about each song and an introduction about the Salem Witch Trials.
Liner notes are available for download here.
It ain’t all about the witchcraft trials. Of particular note for our purposes is the ballad Bloody Brook, which recounts an episode from King Phillip’s War….
… And Lovewell’s Indian Fight, which recounts a 1725 battle in northern New England when Rangers tangled with Abenaki and took a mauling. That one was a popular ballad through colonial times. I get a kick out of the notion that Frontier Partisans might gather in some roadside tavern and hoist a tankard of ale or rum and run through its verses….
I just may have to dig into this tale…
The great John Buxton’s depiction of the Ambush at Lovewell’s Pond.
Gary Zaboly’s depiction of one of Captain John Lovewell’s Rangers. This is from his excellent Osprey volume: American Colonial Ranger: The Northern Colonies 1724–64 Zaboly and tim Todish are at work on what promises to be a magisterial study of colonial rangers in North America.
BTW, Black Barrel Media serves up fine podcast series on the Salem Witch Trials that you can find at Infamous America. Perfect listening for the month of October, wouldn’t you say?
Stephen Fox says
Good catch. Just got the album on ITunes for less then $10 Canadian.
Tis the season.
Matthew says
The Great Folk Scare? People were scared of folk music?
Quixotic Mainer says
Those are fantastic finds! The Lovewell Pond fight happened about an hour south of me. My brother lives within musket range of the Baron Castine’s digs, and we bat around King Phillips War lore fairly often on our outings.
JimC says
This may be my neXt project….
Quixotic Mainer says
If you need a scout on the ground for the venture, I’d be happy to oblige!
JimC says
Plan on it. Just ordered up “Lovewell’s Fight.” Going to dive into this for the next series after Carson.
Quixotic Mainer says
You bet!