This month’s episode focuses on folk songs from the British Isles where the main character dresses, acts, or lives in a way that challenges gender norms. It also offers a glimpse into the work of “Queer Folk”, an English organization that highlights traditional songs with LGBTQIA+ themes.

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to: Shiloh DeFabia, Lafayette Matthews, and Aaron J Morton.

Learn more about Queer Folk: https://www.queerfolk.co.uk/

Join the Folk Files Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Sophie Crawford and George Sansome (Queer Folk)

WORK: Jack Went A-Sailing

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sRO-DVLprA

ARTIST: Philip Langridge, arr. Benjamin Britten

WORK: Sweet Polly Oliver

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ7ulITPfqs

ARTIST: Gog Magog Molly

WORK: The Polychromatic Parrot (at Sidmouth)

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVELKeXEf8Q

ARTIST: TransAction Theatre

WORK: The Ballad of the Female Husband

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKZuYRL5VM&t=0s

ARTIST: Sophie Crawford (Queer Folk)

WORK: Our Captain Calls All Hands

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9e7nWijLR0

ARTIST: Ian Robb

WORK: The Female Rambling Sailor

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

ARTIST: Gavin Atkin

WORK: Short Jacket and White Trousers

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

ARTIST: A.L. Lloyd

WORK: Sovay the Female Highwayman

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh_KXPXmgI8

ARTIST: Cilla Fisher and Artie Trezise

WORK: Billy Taylor

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34HIv_MgH54

ARTIST: Finbar Furey

WORK: New York Girls

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGqSEFaa94Y

ARTIST: Nic Jones

WORK: Barrack Street

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nmS1iCbqe4

ARTIST: Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones

WORK: The Tailor’s Breeches / New Year’s Day
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqjiL7PWUZA

ARTIST: Amy Thatcher and Holly Clarke (Queer Folk)

WORK: That Lulu Business

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx6ecSBsjPQ