“Lang Johnny More”

Description

John More, on a visit to London, falls in love with the King's daughter. The King declares he will kill John, and takes him prisoner by drugging him. John sends a message begging help. Two giants come to rescue him, browbeating the King into surrender

Notes

Child views this as "perhaps an imitation, and in fact almost a parody, of 'Johnie Scot.'" Certainly the plots are very much alike -- but the supernatural feats of the rescuers are commonplaces (cf., e.g., "Hughie Grame" [Child 191]).

The surname "More/Moore" appears a distortion of Gaelic "Mor," "big." - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Johnie Scot" [Child 99]

Recordings

• John Strachan, "Lang Johnny More" (on FSB5, FSBBAL2) {Bronson's #8}

References

1. Child 251, "Lang Johnny More" (1 text)
2. Bronson 251, "Lang Johnny More" (15 versions)
3. DBuchan 59, "Lang Johnny More" (1 text)
4. DT 251, LONGJOHN
5. Roud #3100
6. BI, C251