| This song is a Folk standard. Led Zeppelin thought it was a traditional song, meaning no one could claim they wrote it, but later found out it was written by a Folk singer named Anne Briggs. She was a very influential singer, but stopped recording in 1971 at age 27, and has not recorded since. She was not credited for this until the '80s because Led Zeppelin did not know she wrote it. |
| Page got the idea to cover this after hearing Joan Beaz's folk version. He and Plant were both fans of Baez. |
| This was also recorded by Marianne Faithful. Jimmy Page played on her version when he was a session musician. |
| Page recorded a version with Steve Winwood in 1968 that was never released. |
| At the 1:43 mark, you can hear a recording of Plant saying, "I can hear it calling me" just before he sings the line - as if he "hears it calling him." (thanks, Andrew - Brisbane, Australia) |
