Smith's song reworks ballad

Your February article on the music of Stephan Smith ("Slash and Burn," by Natasha Saulnier) was a welcome introduction to the emergent vitality of a new generation of protest music. I was especially pleased to note your and his willingness to acknowledge that a portion of his work involved rewriting and reworking of traditional songs such as "Shenandoah" and "Omie Wise." Unfortunately, I was especially disappointed to note that you did not extend the same courtesy to the traditional tune and text undergirding his most famous song, "The Bell." It is a reworking of the traditional ballad "The Fause Knight upon the Road," first recorded in William Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Ancient and Modern in 1827 and later included in 1882 in the first volume of Francis James Child's monumental collection, The English and Scottish Popular Ballads. We cannot know how the original authors would feel about Smith's reinvention of their song. I suspect that their ancient and his contemporary politics would resonate soundly and strongly. I suspect further, however, that both would wish a share of credit that such a poignant song, and such powerful new protest, deserves.

Michael J. Bell

River Forest, Illinois

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