I did a little research on the internet, and the most common story about the song that I read was that it is one of, if not /the/ oldest known song about madness.
I hate to be that guy but the song Lai du Chèvrefeuille written between 1160 and 1189 by Marie de France has a passage about Tristan suffers from madness. Also, in the 14th century the Dit du Lévrier written by Jean de Condé and the Dit du Prunier (anonymous) are giving madness some attention
The nicest version I have ever heard of this song... a song I have performed for years and years and years, since 1988 when I learned it off a Brit Folk album called Dark Ships in the Forest.
RE: KingCityWitch: Actually, the names Bedlam, and Maudlin, were thought to be the slurred, or shortened names of "Bethlehem" and "Magdalene", which were common church names for institutions back then...
Shakespeare (King Lear). Ms for lute BL 38539 (around 1620). Ms Mask BL 10444 (after 1623) " The New Mad Tom a Bedlam ". Many versions. Gray's Inn was attributed to John Coprario (Mask played at Gray's Inn in February 1613). Great ! All the best ...
Thanks for the info.play on piano accordion myself.love the ancient song,crazy man Michael,by sandy denny is another favourite.be safe and lucky.respect.maddog.west cork.republic of ireland
I used to search through libraries and second hand book stores and such for really old tunes and I found two other Tom a' Bedlam songs , one began with "forth from My sad and darksome cell.." another one begins "from the hag and hungry goblin" different melodies than this one. As mentioned below Tom a' Bedlam is mentioned rather anachronistically in Shakespeare's play King Lear . A more modern song along the same theme would be David Bowie's "All the Madmen".
This song is about a hospital in England often refered to as Bedlam. It housed the insane, and people could pay a penny to see them and their antics. This song is about someones trip to it.
"Bedlam" was ( and might still be ) the infamous British 'insane asylum'.......this folk tale describes life for the "patients" ( inmates ).......and the cruelty of allowing them to be like zoo animals.....Steeleye Span's version may be the most popular
Wow! Yes! A lovely invocation that reminds me--so-called "madness" may not be what within it is, but something far more mysterious. Is there actually a definitive definition of sanity? Or insanity? Seems to me a lot more uncertain, complex and nuanced. Great performance of a fascinating song!
A great version of the actual Tom o Bedlam song can be found here at ua-cam.com/video/ZtcqyxhQp80/v-deo.html , performed by The Rude Mechanicals, on the Shakespeare's Greatest Hits album. Vocals by the late Michael Rossman, Free Speech Movement veteran.
Bedlam is the place for all the people that have a heavy wound deep inside their heart full of anger, anxiety, sorrow and pain. My place is in Bedlam. That's where I belong.
I keep coming back to this version, it's haunting
Still my favorite version, I guess it's time to learn to play it
I did a little research on the internet, and the most common story about the song that I read was that it is one of, if not /the/ oldest known song about madness.
I hate to be that guy but the song Lai du Chèvrefeuille written between 1160 and 1189 by Marie de France has a passage about Tristan suffers from madness. Also, in the 14th century the Dit du Lévrier written by Jean de Condé and the Dit du Prunier (anonymous) are giving madness some attention
Holy crap this version of the song is really good. Old Blind Dogs and Runa also do a great job with this song.
Love this song
The nicest version I have ever heard of this song... a song I have performed for years and years and years, since 1988 when I learned it off a Brit Folk album called Dark Ships in the Forest.
Willow Broaddus John Roberts & Tony Barrand met at Cornell University in the States, formed a folk duo, and recorded "Dark Ships In The Forest."
RE: KingCityWitch: Actually, the names Bedlam, and Maudlin, were thought to be the slurred, or shortened names of "Bethlehem" and "Magdalene", which were common church names for institutions back then...
Beautiful version.
Shakespeare (King Lear). Ms for lute BL 38539 (around 1620). Ms Mask BL 10444 (after 1623) " The New Mad Tom a Bedlam ". Many versions. Gray's Inn was attributed to John Coprario (Mask played at Gray's Inn in February 1613).
Great ! All the best ...
Thanks for the info.play on piano accordion myself.love the ancient song,crazy man Michael,by sandy denny is another favourite.be safe and lucky.respect.maddog.west cork.republic of ireland
It reminds me mood of Stronghold 2 I played years ago
Interesting ARRANGEMENT of "Bedlam Boys", but the melody & bulk of the lyrics were composed & researched by "The Halliard" (Nic Jones, Dave Moran & Nigel Paterson), in the 1960s & are ©Mollie Music. The text was first published in Thomas D'Urfey's "Pills to Purge Melancholy" (1720).
Well done!
I used to search through libraries and second hand book stores and such for really old tunes and I found two other Tom a' Bedlam songs , one began with "forth from My sad and darksome cell.." another one begins "from the hag and hungry goblin" different melodies than this one. As mentioned below Tom a' Bedlam is mentioned rather anachronistically in Shakespeare's play King Lear . A more modern song along the same theme would be David Bowie's "All the Madmen".
This song is about a hospital in England often refered to as Bedlam. It housed the insane, and people could pay a penny to see them and their antics. This song is about someones trip to it.
I believe this is true, it was called Bethlem royal hospital
"Bedlam" was ( and might still be ) the infamous British 'insane asylum'.......this folk tale describes life for the "patients" ( inmates ).......and the cruelty of allowing them to be like zoo animals.....Steeleye Span's version may be the most popular
Magnifique version et beau paysage de lune, justement demain, c'est l'halloween...
i am curious as to the inspiration behind the song. but it is a very good one. i shall soon learn it completely.
Well? tell me youve got this mastered
Wow! Yes! A lovely invocation that reminds me--so-called "madness" may not be what within it is, but something far more mysterious. Is there actually a definitive definition of sanity? Or insanity? Seems to me a lot more uncertain, complex and nuanced. Great performance of a fascinating song!
Bedlam was once an insane asylum in London, so thats neat.
This is old fashioned country music cause it tells as story.
yay grag and grant....gregor is in buffalo ny w sweetie and two lovely daughters...
What sorcery is this 😳
increíble
Let's not forget Steeleye Span, whose arrangement this is.
Just like country music now a days.
A great version of the actual Tom o Bedlam song can be found here at ua-cam.com/video/ZtcqyxhQp80/v-deo.html , performed by The Rude Mechanicals, on the Shakespeare's Greatest Hits album. Vocals by the late Michael Rossman, Free Speech Movement veteran.
Dionysis, other than here and on my version, how many places have you cut and pasted this comment? Please learn what the term arrangement means.
@blessdinsanity it's an old Irish folk song... i think
Your thinking is wrong - it's English.
I don´t know Bedlam-Boys at real, but about the singing must be bunny, haha
MIldly illegal that lyric then, "To cut mince pies from children thighs."
Illegal ! Achtung : snowflake alert.
@@michaeligoe3935 Halt! Sie begehen eine Straftat!
That word you keep using... I do not think it means what you think it means,
Damjan Keramitchievski
Bedlam was a mental institution. It does not mean what you think it means. Easy enough mistake, really. :)
Bedlam is the place for all the people that have a heavy wound deep inside their heart full of anger, anxiety, sorrow and pain.
My place is in Bedlam. That's where I belong.
Beautiful honesty.