Henry Martin

The story behind Henry Martin, as we know it today, is a fascinating journey through time and oral tradition. What we sing today is a greatly abbreviated version of a Scottish ballad that originally had 82 stanzas. This piece dates back to the 17th century and narrated the exploits of Sir Andrew Barton, a privateer operating under the permission of King James IV of Scotland. His official mission was to stop Portuguese ships, but Barton is said to have overstepped, engaging in piracy more generally. His life ended on August 2, 1511, after a confrontation with Sir Edward Howard and his brother Thomas Howard, who were acting on behalf of the English king.

Over the years, this extensive narrative was transformed. The central figure, originally Andrew Barton, evolved in oral tradition to become Henry Martin or Henry Martyn. This more compact version of the story, which focuses on a sailor who turns to piracy to help his brothers, was collected and cataloged by Francis James Child in his compilation of English and Scottish ballads. It is this simplified form that has come down to our days, inspiring numerous artists. One of the most influential modern recordings is by Joan Baez, released on her 1960 debut album. She recorded this piece in Manhattan in just four days, accompanied mainly by Fred Hellerman, with simple instrumentation that prioritized voice and guitar.