Prince Heathen

Album: various (1600)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Prince Heathen" is Child Ballad 104 and number 3336 in the Roud Index; modern recordings include 1969 by Martin Carthy, but it is much older than that. As with most anonymous and ancient songs, there is no standard version but in his 2015 book Love Songs: The Hidden History Ted Gioia says of the villain of the piece he "holds a young woman captive, rapes her and forces her to bear his child."

    In one variant he tells her:

    I killed your father in his bed
    And your gay mother by his side
    And your seven brothers, ane and ane
    And they were seven pretty men


    Then he declares his love for her! Dude, you're doing it wrong. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.