The Golden Glove (folk song)

"The Golden Glove" is a traditional folk ballad, categorized as Child ballad number 286. It is also known under various titles, including "The Silver Dagger," "The Rejected Lover," and other similar variations depending on the region and performance. The song tells a tragic story, generally involving a wealthy lady who spurns a poor suitor in favor of a richer man.

The narrative typically centers around a lady who cruelly tests a number of suitors, demanding impossible or dangerous tasks to prove their love and worth. One common task is to rob a wealthy man or even commit murder. In many versions, one of the suitors, usually a poor plowboy or similar working-class individual driven by desperation and unrequited love, undertakes the task, often resulting in a violent act.

The details of the robbery or murder vary across different versions of the ballad. However, the lady, despite having instigated the crime, ultimately rejects the suitor, horrified by the act he committed on her behalf. Often, she reveals that she was only testing the suitors or that she cannot bring herself to marry a murderer. The rejected lover is then left to face the consequences of his actions, frequently including imprisonment or execution.

Themes present in "The Golden Glove" include the dangers of unrequited love, the corrupting influence of wealth and social status, the consequences of rash actions, and the tragic outcomes that can arise from societal pressures and individual desperation. The song often serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the perils of valuing material wealth over genuine affection and the dangers of manipulating others' emotions.

The song has been collected and performed extensively throughout the British Isles and North America, existing in numerous variations with differing verses and lyrical embellishments. Its transmission has primarily been oral, contributing to the variations found across different traditions and regions.