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The Greenwood Sidee

from Mentor by William Ritter

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about

When I started learning this version of "the Cruel Mother" (Child 20) a few years ago, I had no idea that it would become so current, in light of Roe vs. Wade being overturned. Infanticide was practiced all over the world--whether it was leaving "changeling" babies (probably less the work faeries and more genetic disabilities) out on the midden heap at night or female children being killed after they were born to ensure male heirs--I try not to pass too much judgement on people living on the edge of survival when they take drastic and violent measures. From the relative comfort of the 21st century, where we pawn off all of our personal violence to slaughterhouses (we don't have to go wring a chicken's neck for supper), it is important that we remember how removed most of us are from the daily acts of violence that are "out of sight and out of mind." This is one that Bobby sang, and the lyrics and tune are mostly from his wife Joyce's people. They had another tune for it in the family, according to Bobby, but he couldn't remember it or where the recording was. Hopefully it will turn up as we begin digitizing his tapes and reels.

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from Mentor, released September 23, 2022

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William Ritter Bakersville, North Carolina

William Ritter is a native of Bakersville, NC William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other "string-ed things." He is particularly interested in old apple trees, family heirloom seeds, and mountain humor. In 2019, he received the *In These Mountains* Folklife Apprenticeship Grant from the NC Arts Council to study with ballad singer extraordinaire, Bobby McMillon. ... more

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