This episode of Folk Files looks at a family of songs where the main character "dies for love." In particular, I explore "The Butcher Boy," a song with American, Irish, and English versions. The versions vary drastically: they swap out characters, drop details, and change the reasoning behind the narrator's decisions. I investigate what effect these changes have on the listener and what lessons we can draw from those effects.

Host: Olivia Harding

Check out more from Pollyanna: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Rgyvnw9WrAm20MhlS2kyp?si=irIKZtNOTFaZWDOt9mh0cA

Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

*This episode of Folk Files was recorded on the road. Apologies for any lapses in quality.*

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Alisa Marie

WORK: O'Carolan's Cup

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/zrBwqFco0Xs?si=-SdsYnEWGiD5SnFO

ARTIST: Sarah Makem

WORK: The Butcher Boy

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/x_mtUaBHWCE?si=tBXVy9ELCV9dECgh

ARTIST: Derek and Hazel Sarjeant

WORK: A Sailor Coming Home on Leave

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/e91Ug-CAjAc?si=sMcd-NpQC-FQmNSL

ARTIST: Music the Gathering

WORK: Johnny Jump Up

SOURCE: https://www.musicthegathering.com/store/lvl-3-digital-album-esexe

ARTIST: Frank Profitt

WORK: Morning Fair

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/wdyO1890Zpc?si=1esdsYhrRNWTg7zD

ARTIST: Sam Lee

WORK: Over Yonders Hill

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2jcdbFRRYc

ARTIST: The Kings of Calicutt

WORK: Sheffield Park

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/o1lDKhJd6Pw?si=XWyn9hQQ3ImN2PRq

ARTIST: Bellowhead

WORK: Cold Blows the Wind

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/WvuxL8UQiLQ?si=Sdr7Zz7yUVEXi7zg

ARTIST: Jean Ritchie

WORK: Go Dig My Grave

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrcOqcbzYk

ARTIST: The Clancy Brothers

WORK: The Butcher Boy

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/WMc8QSxZe_M?si=PIv8GZyRL_1vkSRD

ARTIST: Buell Kazee

WORK: Butcher's Boy

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/lwSJoMNRGuI?si=fehdH-zflcTkTbY2

ARTIST: Pollyanna

WORK: Railroad Boy

SOURCE: https://pollyanna.bandcamp.com/album/man-time-deluxe-edition