John Jacob Niles (born April 28, 1892 in Louisville, Kentucky, died March 1, 1980 in Lexington, Kentucky) was an American composer, singer, and collector of traditional ballads. He is often called "The Dean of American Balladeers". Niles is well known for his original song "Go 'Way From My Window", as well as the many traditional ballads he collected in the Appalachian region of the United States, such as "Pretty Polly" and "Barbara Allen". He also composed the haunting Christmas song "I Wonder As I Wander".