On Wednesday, August 7th, Columbia Records sent Rolling Stone Magazine an exclusive track from Bob Dylan's forthcoming album The Bootleg Series Vol. 10, Another Self Portrait. The song, "Pretty Saro", has never been heard before, except by the record label, and the sessions' musicians, and maybe the producers. And Bobby himself. Until now. 

Bob Dylan - "Pretty Saro"

The Rolling Stone article featuring the song (and a beautiful compiled video from filmmaker Jennifer Lebeau), is more about the video, and not so much about the song. Check it out here. 

But on the Huffington Post yesterday, writer Anne Margaret Daniel explored the song in depth. Her article stimulated my music history curiosity.

"Pretty Saro" is a traditional folk ballad from the 1700s that more or less died until Americans rediscovered the tune in the early 20th century through oral traditions preserved in the Appalachian mountains. The song then took on many different forms. Cecil J. Sharp, the founding father of the folklore revival in England, was the first to transcribe the lyrics. 

The singer has lost his love because he has neither lands nor gold. Rejected by Pretty Saro, he heads out to wander the wide world, but will never forget her. 

The ballad took on many forms and recordings during the '60s. Shirley Collins recorded the song in 1959; Judy Collins in 1961. Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson sang "Pretty Saro" live; their version was recorded in 1963 on Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson at Folk City. Hedy West sang her nearly a capella version in 1966 (Hedy West also sang an amazing version of Little Sadie, another folk song Bobby does on Self Portrait). And in 1966, Bob Seger, who had sung the song live many times before, recorded "Pretty Saro" for his album God Bless the Grass. 

Shirley Collins - "Pretty Saro"

 

Hedy West - "Little Sadie"

Bobby's version, according to Daniel, is most similar to Judy Collins' 1961 version. 

The rich merchant in Dylan's "Pretty Saro" is a freeholder... However, Dylan retains the idea of its being a poet, not a merchant, who can write a find hand. Of course, only Saro could hear the song, it's far better than reading a letter, and it might win her heart above all the lands and gold...

At the time, Bobby was married to Sara Noznisky, his first wife. Saro sounds so similar to Sara that the song is almost about his love for her, and he the poet, singing the lament of a lonesome rambler to a girl he's left at home. 

Self Portrait is by far my favorite Bob Dylan album despite his notorious denunciation that the whole thing was a joke. "Pretty Saro" was recorded six times during the sessions, but never made the final cut. It would've fit quite perfectly on there with "Alberta #1" and "Days of '49". But alas, we can't always get what we want, at least not at first. Good thing Columbia Records never tossed this gem. 

Look out for more releases from Another Self Portrait.