Hanging Johnny


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Posted by Ed Kiser on December 13, 2003 at 22:07:01 from 152.163.252.196 user Kisered.

Some of the sea chanties, like "Hanging Johnny", have some word descriptions that are a bit disturbing to some young folk. I try to just skip over the words, but then, they get a hold of the book and see the words for themselves, then start asking questions. What about this "Johnny" that hung his MOTHER, his Brother and Sister, and his Granny?

What are the origins of this song? Is there some sort of historical event that this "balad" is referring to?

What explanation can I give when young people want to know?

These are CHILDRENS' stories, yet this rather violent poem comes up.

Now the tale of "Spanish Ladies" can be the start of a wonderful discussion of history and adventure. That one has merit. I like it to be in these stories.

Treasure Island was not all that easy to get through either, with the young ears and innocent imaginations picturing scenes they never before ever heard of. "Sixteen men on a dead man's chest." Now there is a picture to take from a bedtime story for you.

Even Wind in the Willows had a scene of battle for Toad Hall with the weasels and stoats, but that never seemed to upset their imaginations, as that seemed to be all quite justified, and it did not go into any gory details. A nice, clean, fight, for right and justice. That one was not a problem.

But HANGING YOUR MOTHER? They could not accept this as something one would want to sing about...

It is hard enought to get any young ears with the patience to sit and listen to any readings of Ransome's works, so I don't need these rough spots to turn them off.

Ed Kiser, South Florida


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