I think I first heard 'The Cruel Mother' sung by Emily Portman. Or maybe I heard Emily Portman talking about Cecelia Costello and went off to investigate. Either way, my knowledge of this song comes via Emily Portman... so thanks, Emily.
I'm currently working on this song for my next album, but I thought I'd put up a very basic fingerpicking recording here so you can see what I'm up to. It's a gorgeous song, I'm sure you'll agree. One of those deceptive ones that sounds like a lovely little nursery rhyme, with it's \"greenwood sidey-o\" singalongs, until the moment that we descend headlong into infanticide. It's quite a moment, and leaves you feeling quite groundless, as if the floor had vanished from beneath your feet. Beware those nursery singsongs!
It kinda fits in with my Brummie songs theme, as it was certainly collected from Cecelia Costello, and that's the version I ended up basing my arrangement on. However, as with many of the older ballads, it has been around a lot. You'll find versions collected across Ireland, Scotland, England, the US and one in Australia.
It has previously been recorded by everyone from Ewan MacColl to Martin Carthy to Rachel Newton to Bella Hardy. And, of course, Emily Portman, most notably with Rubus. I hope my version can find a place alongside these great recordings, too.
