The Death of Parcy Reed is an epic ballad which, in its fullest version, has 41 verses. Set in upper Redesdale, it tells of the brutal murder of a Borders official following his betrayal by those he thought friends, to a feuding clan from across the border in Liddesdale. To help me understand its importance and the wider context of Border ballads is Tynedale folk singer and poet Peter Armstrong. We dive deep into Border history, sharing our own experiences of living in Northumberland. We discuss the plot of the Parcy Reed ballad and, illustrated by Peter’s own poetry, we consider parallels between that tale and another bloody Border song, Johnny Armstrong, with the story of the betrayal of Jesus. Peter sings a shortened version of The Death of Parcy Reed at the end of the podcast. During our conversation, we refer to Child and Roud, which are two important collections of folk songs. There is plenty of information about them online. Peter reads from his book of poetry, Two Ceremonies at the Border, which is inspired by The Death of Parcy Reed and Johnny Armstrong. There is a bonus episode to accompany this one, in which I talk to Peter about his career as a poet and singer of traditional songs, and his role in helping to run the famous Bridge Folk Club in Newcastle. The books and sources mentioned in the podcast are: Two Ceremonies at the Border. Peter Armstrong. Shoestring Press. ISBN 978-1-915553-38-6 The English Scottish border ballads - a critical study. RG Kendall. (see p 454) https://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1314/1/1314.pdf?DDD11+EThOS%20(BL) Revitalising Redesdale Landscape Partnership. The Death of Parcy Reed. https://www.revitalisingredesdale.org.uk/projects/sharing-redesdales-stories/border-ballad-the-death-of-parcy-reed/ The local historian’s table book, of remarkable occurences, historical facts, traditions, legendary and descriptive ballads, &c., &c., connected with the counties of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham / By M. A. Richardson v.7 1841 – 1846 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015068455008&seq=336 BBC. The Border Reivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/myths_legends/scotland/borders/article_2.shtml Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. Reiver ballads. https://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/myths_legends/scotland/borders/article_2.shtml This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 3tynespodcast.substack.com
