It was written by American musician John Jacob Niles.
This tune is often thought to be traditional Appalachian folk music, but isn't. It was written by John Jacob Niles. Here's his own words on it.
"'Black is The Color of My True Love's Hair' as sung here was composed between 1916 and 1921. I had come home from eastern Kentucky, singing this song to an entirely different tune--a tune not unlike the public-domain material employed even today. My father liked the lyrics, but thought the tune was downright terrible. So I wrote myself a new tune, ending it in a nice modal manner. My composition has since been "discovered" by many an aspiring folk-singer".
Tune name from song
Tune name from song
Does anyone know if this is a trad tune or song or a new melody? Thanks- Mike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U10mSms3u04
# Posted on May 6th 2008 by Plunkett.mi
Re: Tune name from song
Trad:" black is the colour of my true love's hair"
# Posted on May 6th 2008 by sechan
Re: Tune name from song
It is NOT traditional... see the notes here: http://ww.thesession.org/tunes/display/7454
It was written by American musician John Jacob Niles.
This tune is often thought to be traditional Appalachian folk music, but isn't. It was written by John Jacob Niles. Here's his own words on it.
"'Black is The Color of My True Love's Hair' as sung here was composed between 1916 and 1921. I had come home from eastern Kentucky, singing this song to an entirely different tune--a tune not unlike the public-domain material employed even today. My father liked the lyrics, but thought the tune was downright terrible. So I wrote myself a new tune, ending it in a nice modal manner. My composition has since been "discovered" by many an aspiring folk-singer".
# Posted on May 6th 2008 by McCracken
Re: Tune name from song
http://johnjacobniles.com/
# Posted on May 6th 2008 by McCracken
Re: Tune name from song
Thanks for the info.- Mike
# Posted on May 7th 2008 by Plunkett.mi