He goes bare, he lives by the air, and he wants no drink nor money…or does he? In this episode, we explore the songs and stories surrounding Tom of Bedlam. Where did the modern tune come from? And why is the title misleading? Hold on to your hat and your sanity for this musical journey to Pluto’s kitchen and beyond.

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton

Check out Basic Folk: https://basicfolk.com/

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Heritage

WORK: Mad Tom of Bedlam

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gAxNVcyKm4

ARTIST: The Halliard

WORK: Boys of Bedlam

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0EUadGMU3Y

ARTIST: Catherine Bott

WORK: Mad Maudlin

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

ARTIST: Tim Edwards of the Country Dance & Song Society

WORK: Tom O’Bedlam’s Song

SOURCE: https://cdss.org/publications/listen/song-of-the-month/january-2022-song-of-the-month/

ARTIST: David Pryor (Recorded by Alan Lomax and Mary Elizabeth Barnicle

WORK: When the Whale Get Strike

SOURCE: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-alan-lomax-collection-deep-river-of-song-bahamas-1935/2675148

ARTIST: Kate Price

WORK: Mad Tom of Bedlam

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

ARTIST: Old Blind Dogs

WORK: Bedlam Boys/Rights of Man

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

ARTIST: Steeleye Span

WORK: Boys of Bedlam

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz9tggUNlIU

ARTIST: Music the Gathering

WORK: Tom of Bedlam

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