Ballads

So what are evreyone's thoughts on retellings of ballads? I know lots of versions of Tam Lin, but not much about any others.

At the moment I've got my eye on The Book of Ballads by Charles Vess which looks interesting, but don't really what else is out there. I'd welcome any suggestions :)

The three non Tam Lin/Thomas the Rhymer ballad retellings I can think of:

Through a Brazen Mirror based on the Child Ballad # 106, "The Famous Flower of Servingmen."

Juniper, Gentian, and Rosemary based on Child #1, "Riddles Wisely Expounded."

And Nancy Werlin's Impossible based on "Scarborough Fair."

Oooh thankyou, 3 more for the wishlist :) I have books by Delia Sherman as well and I hadn't come across that one before.

Not to mention Ellen Kushner's Thomas the Rhymer

I just saw a book called Long Lankin in a shop today, haven't read it but it definitely references the ballad and it looks interesting.

Obviously one should mention Diana Wynne Jones' Fire and Hemlock as an adaptation of both 'Young Tamlin' and 'Thomas the Rhymer' (among others).

I've done a lengthy review, essay almost, of Fire and Hemlock which is here, if anyone's interested: http://www.librarything.com/work/26366/reviews/62709716
While Jones is explicit about how the 'Tamlin' and 'Thomas the Rhymer' ballads structure and inform the novel, I try to point out how rich the whole concoction is and that this is more than simply a retelling.

Thanks for the info. I'll read your essay.