NJ Folk Musicians

ORIGINS: This song  was collected by Howard Brockway & Loraine Wyman in the Kentucky Mountains in 1915. The song originated from a 17th century English ballad, and the theme is derived from Homer's Odyssey, 

THIS VERSION: I read these lyrics in 1973 from a written source, and having  no version to emulate, I set them to melody then and have played it since.

THE THEME - The "disguised true lover",  which is a traditional folk theme.

THE STORY -  A man  comes across a fair maiden and proposes to her. But he is refused. The maiden explains that she is faithfully betrothed to John Riley, a sailor who is overseas.  Hearing of her loyalty, the man  reveals that, although she hadn't recognized him, he is John Riley. They reunite.

WHO IS JOHN RILEY? -  "John Riley" is a common title, and a mythical figure but not a single character. There are multiple and differing stories.

WAS THERE A REAL HISTORICAL FIGURE? - Tim O’Brien released a version based on a real historical figure:  John Patrick Riley, an Irish soldier who emigrated to America  around 1817–1850. He defected to Mexico during the Mexican-American War, leading a heroic brigade called the "San Patricios." 

John Riley successfully fought the Americans in several skirmishes but was overcome at the Battle of Churubusco and  tried for treason. His cheek was branded with a "D" for "deserter."  He testified that he had switched sides because of the mistreatment of Irish Catholics by the United States Army. 

• Pete Seeger released a version of the song on his album Darling Corey (1950).
• Bob Gibson wrote and recorded a version of the song for his album Live at Cornell (1957) and The Riverside Folklore Series, Vol. 1: Joy Joy! The Young And Wonderful Bob Gibson (1996). 
• Odetta released a live version of the song on her live album Odetta at Carnegie Hall which was recorded on April 8, 1960.
• Joan Baez recorded the song for her debut album, Joan Baez (1960); her version is often credited with helping to popularise the song during the 1960s folk revival. 
• Art Podell and Paul Potash, known as the folk duo Art & Paul, also recorded the song for their album Songs of Earth and Sky (1960). 
• Judy Collins included it on her 1961 album A Maid of Constant Sorrow. 
• Australian folk singer Lionel Long recorded a version he "learned from a seaman" on his album Troubadour in 1965. 
• The American folk rock band The Byrds recorded a version of the song that was influenced by Baez's rendition on their album, Fifth Dimension (1966).  The Byrds also released an instrumental version on the bonus tracks of their Fifth Dimension album. 
• The Walkabouts recorded a version on their debut album See Beautiful Rattlesnake Gardens (1988).
• William Pint recorded a version of the song for his album Round the Corner in 1997. 
• The English folk duo Show of Hands recorded the song for their self-released album Folk Music (1998). 
• Carol Noonan recorded the song for her release Carol Noonan - Self Titled (1999). 
• John Langstaff recorded a version of the song for his multi-disc folk music collection John Langstaff Sings - Archival Folk Collection (2004). 
• On the series finale of Andromeda, Doyle paraphrases this song when describing a dream she had. 
• Niteworks released a version of this song, with vocals by Beth Malcolm, on their album A' Ghrian (2022).