Babylon (ballad)
"Babylon" or "The Bonnie Banks o Fordie" is Child ballad 14, Roud 27.
Synopsis
An outlaw comes upon three sisters in the woods. He threatens each one in turn to make her marry him. The first two refuse and are killed. The third threatens him with her brother or brothers. He asks after them and discovers that he is the brother. He commits suicide.Parallels
Forms of this ballad are known throughout all of Scandinavia.Versions
Following are some of the notable recordings of the ballad, including the artists, titles, albums, and years:| Artist | Title | Album | Year |
| Dick Gaughan | "The Bonnie Banks o Fordie" | No More Forever | 1972 |
| Malinky | "The Bonnie Banks O Fordie: Pennknivsmördaren" | The Unseen Hours | 2005 |
| Broadside Electric | "Babylon" | More Bad News... | 1996 |
| Nic Jones | "The Bonnie Banks of Fordie" | Landmarks | 2006 |
| John Jacob Niles | "Bonnie Farday" | My Precarious Life in the Public Domain | 2006 |
| Old Blind Dogs | "The Bonnie Banks O' Fordie" | New Tricks | 1997 |
| Alastair Roberts | "Babylon" | What News | 2018 |