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Lovely Joan

by Frankie Archer

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about

Lovely Joan is a traditional tale, a classic situation of a woman minding her own business when a man comes along and starts hitting on her. It happens a lot in traditional songs, same as in life today, where the man won't take a hint or won't take no for an answer. But Joan is smart and bold and manages to escape by tricking him and tearing away on his horse.

When I sing “Lovely Joan" I think about all the women and girls today that have been in a situation where they feel uncomfortable at best and are trying to figure out how to safely get out. Men and boys are expected to 'make the first move' and this leads to pressuring and persuading. Women and girls are taught not to kick up a fuss, to oblige and not to offend. The parallels between this 100+ year old song and life today make it clear how deeply rooted these problematic gender expectations are.

Listening to the track you'll hear glitchy manipulated vocals, heavy distorted riffs, striking war-type drum and soaring fiddle.

lyrics

A fine young man it was indeed
He was mounted on his milkwhite steed
He rode, he rode himself alone
Until he came to Lovely Joan

Good morning to you, my pretty maid
And twice good morning Sir, she said
He gave her a wink, she rolled her eye
Said he to himself, I’ll be there by and by

Oh don’t you think these bales of hay
A pretty place for us to play
Come with me like a sweet young thing
And I’ll give you my golden ring

He pulled off his ring of gold
My pretty little miss, do this behold
I’ll give it to you for your maidenhead
And her cheeks blushed like roses red

Give me that ring into my hand
And I will neither stay nor stand
This would do more good to me
Than twenty maidenheads said she

As he made for the bales of hay
She leapt on his horse and tore away
He called he called but all in vain
And Joan never looked back again

credits

released April 25, 2024
Recording and Production: Frankie Archer and Jim Moray
Mixing: Jim Moray
Mastering: Piper Payne
Artwork: Frankie Archer
Instruments & vocals: Frankie Archer
Trad arr. Frankie Archer

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Frankie Archer Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

electrofolk 🪩🎻 pre-order Never So Red EP

Frankie Archer is fresh on the scene and shaking up genres and traditions, sharing the lesser told sides of stories, championing women, challenging perspectives and calling for a fairer future, all to a unique mix of synths, manipulated samples, drum tracks and earthy Northumbrian fiddle and voice. ... more

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