Folk Files

Happy Holidays! Coventry Carol is a lullaby to a "little tiny child"...but surprisingly, that child is not Jesus. Learn more about this Christmas carol that was almost lost to time, including the history of modern Western Theatre and the origins of the picardy third, in this final episode of the second season of Folk Files.

Host: Olivia Harding

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

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

 

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: The Sixteen

WORK: The Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/_jIYyPOoEc8?si=mgPi4WH4G9LUnMT7

 

ARTIST: Sting (from A Winter's Night Live from Durham Cathedral)

WORK: Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/hahwYqQd_gA?si=wJR4Qz-ZmUW9IaD2

 

ARTIST: Nora Fischer and Marnix Dorrestein

WORK:  Oblivion Soave from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JTHQqJDV4os?si=820upsG60MJJyC5M

 

ARTIST: Jeanette Blakeley

WORK: "Lullaby" from Menotti's The Consul

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/nImWN8o1f-E?si=Coj_UsTcod6m1Bbr

 

ARTIST: Barry and Beth Hall

WORK: Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JCFg4S3kSV4?si=CleozvHduvVsAAxB

 

ARTIST: Chicago

WORK: Wishing You Were Here

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/Zv0OwvsP0ek?si=cVc25wbawFlT7pkw

 

ARTIST: The Zombies

WORK: Time of the Season

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ecsAI3FhY

 

ARTIST: Alison Moyet

WORK: The Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kcrYqDqCN_Y?si=DoKE80e3peRMtvSo

 

ARTIST: The Choir of Magdalen College Oxford

WORK: Song of the Nuns of Chester

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0UtKzXb9Js

 

ARTIST: The Cambridge Singers

WORK: Coventry Carol (composed by Kenneth Leighton)

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/uAA0lZ1YG90?si=VQYE2a0KSeFhZGks

 

ARTIST: Sufjan Stevens

WORK: Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/o6492UYw_hs?si=U0k6ZlmkfoIcULct

In this bonus episode of Folk Files, I interview Ruth Perry, the author of The Ballad World of Anna Gordon, Mrs. Brown of Falkland. Anna Gordon is one of the most famous source singers in the history of folk music from the British Isles, and Ruth Perry's book dives into her life as a woman and ballad singer in 18th century Scotland.

The book is available at https://global.oup.com/academic/

It's pricy, and understandably so, since it contains a wealth of new information and scholarship, but you can use the discount code AAFLYG6 to save 30%.

You can listen to the accompanying ballads for free at https://global.oup.com/booksites/content/9780198939092/

In this episode, I use clips from the following songs: Lady Elspat, King Henry, Lamkin, and Thomas Rymer & Queen of Elfland

You can purchase a CD with all twelve of the ballads at birnamcdshop.com or on Amazon (See more information here: https://www.birnamcd.com/birnam-pr/anna-gordon/ )

This interview has been edited for time.

Special Thanks to Ruth Perry and Aaron J. Morton

For a long time, "The Death of Queen Jane" has been considered a folk song that takes artistic liberties with the historic event of the birth of Edward VI to Jane Seymour in 1537. But is it possible that the song hints at a more complicated story, filled with propaganda and intrigue? Explore the intersection of Tudor history and folk ballads in this episode of Folk Files.

Host: Olivia Harding

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

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Oscar Isaac

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfeKFKG3JWM

ARTIST: Cyril Tawney

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

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

ARTIST: Joan Baez

WORK:  The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZNp9le6x8

ARTIST: Bedlam Early Music

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYGWmV2XAnU

ARTIST: Peggy Seeger

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/7z0KILKEZhk?si=qmkqUwFtPVlKyaGH

ARTIST: Duncan Williamson

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AB34LE2XNHS5FC8O

ARTIST: John Jacob Niles

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

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

ARTIST: Isla Cameron

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/mMmHkgq1_T0?si=MAzM8qm8_0wHxoAc

ARTIST: Karine Polwart

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT2uqT3am1M

ARTIST: Bothy Band

WORK: The Death of Queen Jane

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

Long Lankin is the bogeyman of the Child Ballads. A mysterious figure who lives in the moss (or the gorse, or the hay), he is known as a bloodthirsty murderer. But what's the full story? Explore the origins of the horror-filled ballad in this Halloween episode of Folk Files.

Host: Olivia Harding

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

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: The Wainwright Sisters

WORK: Long Lankin

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8vzCkJJlSQ

ARTIST: Steeleye Span

WORK: Long Lankin

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Rw1SVfa_U

ARTIST: Martin Carthy

WORK:  Long Lankin

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlYuv1ZUsZ0

ARTIST: George Fradley

WORK: Lankin

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/yrEuzBE0uTs?si=aIpFgzidrF7YGpnN

ARTIST: Geordie McIntyre

WORK: Lamkin

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/LQF9M1Omrfs?si=d0yAQwvibFAIDLeQ

ARTIST: Alasdair Roberts & Friends

WORK: Long Lankin

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/es-bKUVLtUE?si=yxV9vFgzZoMpPPVC

ARTIST: Lisa Knapp

WORK: Long Lankin

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zahxuV3H9Sk

ARTIST: Frank Proffitt

WORK: Bo Lamkin

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/G6MLv__s_cU?si=9kG2WJSa1F0fZ1dg

Who Killed Cock Robin? It was I, said the Sparrow. But where did the song come from? And what does it mean? Explore a world of birds, nursery rhymes, mythology, and history in this month's episode.

Host: Olivia Harding

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

Yuri Gohen: @yurigohenfolksong

Who Killed Cock Robin by Yuri Gohen: https://yurigohen.bandcamp.com/album/who-killed-cock-robin

https://open.spotify.com/album/5I5HTXbYVPOxc7MtKFU9jX?si=LXPUC86NQ1iamUUntn4GtA

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Peggy Seeger

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=hVTcXtK_8Qo

ARTIST: Tim Hart and Friends

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

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

ARTIST: King's Singers

WORK:  Of All the Birds

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnr6Oxybkq4

ARTIST: Dana and Susan Robinson

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/HqP26mqO4GY?si=xS2SAHX8BItCQ00U

ARTIST: Jean Ritchie

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otcP8CCCt3c

ARTIST: Glenn Yarbrough

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACX6OS6oO5k

ARTIST: Richard Dyer-Bennet

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/lhTXFbYn3WY

ARTIST: John Jacob Niles

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_lfkMQGPs

ARTIST: Robin Roberts

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB9eTpc-G1U

ARTIST: Silly Symphony

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GK66CFljA0

ARTIST: St. Michael's Junior School for Girls in Cumberland

WORK: Cock Robin is Dead and Lays in his Grave

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YteMR9prrQ

ARTIST: Yuri Gohen

WORK: Who Killed Cock Robin?

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40-TqWBPoDs

Robbers, bandits, highwaymen…there are a lot of English folk songs about outlaws. In this episode of Folk Files, we'll look at why there are so many songs about criminals and what patterns exist in these ballads. Then, we'll look at Robbers' Retreat in an attempt to figure out why the song (also known as Cadgwith Anthem) doesn't seem to follow any of those patterns.

Host: Olivia Harding

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: Steeleye Span

WORK: Cadgwith Anthem

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBpPYA8ebY

ARTIST: Ewan MacColl

WORK: Alan Tyne O'Harrow

SOURCE: https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/alan-tyne-o-harrow

ARTIST: Martin Carthy

WORK:  Newlyn Town

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7hDJI85uI

ARTIST: Roger McGuinn

WORK: Whiskey in the Jar

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/i8iAp0mTKjo?si=htJCj3YzGDz4UWso

ARTIST: Loreena McKennitt

WORK: The Highwayman

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YGFo0xn4JeY

ARTIST: Ewan MacColl

WORK: The Crafty Farmer

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/GT_uXRERmsE?si=bNwLhDjFCXB9yuij

ARTIST: Magpie Lane

WORK: The Highwayman Outwitted

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kXHL6omuz3c?si=pnX3AOzB6sbfoNZu

ARTIST: Jackie Oates

WORK: Robbers' Retreat

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/ZzPA52DWzwM?si=ZkM3a4WDugEpC4yp

ARTIST: The Mousehole Male Voice Choir

WORK: The Cadgwith Anthem

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/yXFIUuWARB0?si=mgpBLQqoKOYtge7N

ARTIST: The Longest Johns

WORK: Cadgwith Anthem

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/UiBlnnN2PWU?si=78Mzy7npMptFomP1

ARTIST: Bounding Main

WORK: Cadgwith Anthem

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/KQbYYnoM3wM?si=UF20bLf7VaKn-lGD

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

Welcome to Part II of Folk Files' exploration of the history of folk instruments! Learn about the origins and etymology of accordions, concertinas, harmonicas, bagpipes, whistles, and a sampling of percussion! (Recorded with a head cold - please excuse any stuffiness).

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton

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

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Duo Synkro

WORK: Live at Paris Bal Folk

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1XgiYjo1HE

ARTIST: Wu Wei

WORK: Sheng performance with Helsinki Philharmonic

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xios4KtjG2A

ARTIST: Mark Kloeg

WORK: Cantiga 100

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtWazpkuz7o

ARTIST: Paul Young

WORK: Michael's Jig

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/f8TX7jO-_es?si=AWS2GmtPtNJhMRMc

ARTIST: Sofia Ros

WORK: La Campanella

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ARC2YxsbE0

ARTIST: Nick Ariondo

WORK: Flight of the Bumblebee

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxTOwXEy2Mo

ARTIST: Yuxin Ding

WORK: The Entertainer

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8kmUkDwgIs

ARTIST: Sonny Boy Williamson

WORK: Bye Bye Bird

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-PhBryFuIM

ARTIST: Carlos Vives

WORK: Hijo de Vallenato

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

ARTIST: Piper Jones Band

WORK: Live at the Loch Norman Scottish Festival 2023

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teJu3_eJGnM

ARTIST: Chris McMullan

WORK: The Limerick Lament

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Dm3EpfuxuG0

ARTIST: Christy Barry

WORK: Traditional Irish Tin Whistle Music (Doolin Style)

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpN36I9xr-o

ARTIST: Spokes Mashiyane

WORK: A song off the 1959 album "King Kwela"

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adyM1Gx1lHU

ARTIST: John Joe Kelly

WORK: Bodhrán solo from "Island Songs"

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi1G-A-wdu0

ARTIST: Abby "The Spoon Lady" and Lyle Rickards

WORK: I'll Fly Away

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/Ibye4LNpWD8?si=Y5wPiddyQXs5Pmj1

ARTIST: Dom Flemons

WORK: How To Play the Bones with Dom Flemons

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMokBr9cTxM

This episode of Folk Files takes a departure from folk songs to talk about folk instruments! Learn about the history, ancestors, and etymology of folky string instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar!

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton

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

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast?redirect=true

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Ekona Diatta

WORK: Gambia

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/FHCpjVrGDNk?si=90XYIILixvtyxtMR

ARTIST: The Harper and the Minstrel

WORK: Cantiga 353

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

ARTIST: Valentina Nicolai

WORK: Il Ballerino

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfx7WcyG5sI

ARTIST: Ragnhild Hemsing

WORK: Valdresguten

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYSVDG8ZFNw

ARTIST: Chris Thile

WORK: Jessamyn's Reel

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88q9syere0Q

ARTIST: RAVN

WORK: In Nature #2

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cCM04Qvx2w

ARTIST: Edward Foster

WORK: Ja Nus Hons Pris

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mfDscXoY8A

ARTIST: Bernardo de Pace

WORK: The Wizard of the Mandolin

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHfQTzDnz9s

ARTIST: Rolf Lislevand

WORK: Unknown

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/jUd_Tl3N3wE?si=X60gcIMUodA_J3wZ

ARTIST: Mariachi Juvenil Perla

WORK: El Cascabel

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SVCsqs3Vsc

ARTIST: Justin Johnson

WORK: Justin Johnson Plays the Diddley Bow

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Ic3j7f5GU

ARTIST: Miles Caton (Sinners 2025 Soundtrack)

WORK: Travelin'

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/1hC9X81x7nY?si=xW18W3o91LS2RTEa

ARTIST: Sol Hoopii

WORK: Palolo

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kPzqjmgi2-I?si=PC7eTQXuaPmCuRce

ARTIST: The Lady Victoria

WORK: King of the Fairies

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/QuYm9wvTvkc?si=v2wN0FT2YmDgk_Rv

ARTIST: Frontier Culture Museum

WORK: O du lieber Augustine

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTAtHhG7H6A

ARTIST: Joni Mitchell

WORK: California (Live)

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5BnE5_lPqE

ARTIST: Scott Marshall

WORK: Unknown

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvBSXocQog0

ARTIST: Unknown

WORK: Organistrum

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5J1cQs7CM

This episode explores the variations, history, and geography of the bluegrass song "The Roving Gambler."

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to: Ashford King, The Cecil Sharp House/Ralph Vaughan Williams Library, and Aaron J. Morton

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

Listen to Ashford King: https://open.spotify.com/album/1IZwE0c1mzOQtd3nnWn8nE?si=A5AenKxXRvmAiM_duUVHPg

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast?redirect=true

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Doc Watson

WORK: The Roving Gambler

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

ARTIST: Larry Sparks

WORK: Roving Gambler

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

ARTIST: Albert Sallee

WORK: Roving Gambler

SOURCE: https://digitalcollections.uark.edu/digital/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/1771

ARTIST: Donna Everett

WORK: Roving Gambler

SOURCE: https://digitalcollections.uark.edu/digital/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/1221

ARTIST: Rambling Jack Elliott

WORK: Roving Gambler

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B5BHG5G1P8

ARTIST: The Corries

WORK: Roving Journeyman

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5LzHSci1Lg

ARTIST: Harry Brazil

WORK: Rambling Irishman

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDaC883iJjo

ARTIST: Tom Willett

WORK: The Roving Journeyman

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_DoReXQMRM

ARTIST: Delia Murphy

WORK: Roving Journeyman

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bztY9bHbbVA

ARTIST: Samantha Bumgarner

WORK: The Gamblin' Man

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfszrzc51Q&t=121s

ARTIST: Leroy Gardner

WORK: Gambling Man

SOURCE: https://digitalcollections.uark.edu/digital/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/2942

ARTIST: The Wolfe Tones

WORK: Paddy Lay Back

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QqpcENtS-s

ARTIST: Joan Baez

WORK: The Trees They Do Grow High

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7Lcw0ZIWc

ARTIST: The Staple Singers

WORK: Move Along Train

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fdbij67yUs

ARTIST: Alison Krauss

WORK: Down to the River To Pray

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SZv7JJqcNY

ARTIST: Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell

WORK: Moonshiner

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8Naz_iAg4

ARTIST: Johnny Whistletrigger

WORK: Guerrilla Man

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB1OweaWbxc

ARTIST: Ashford King

WORK: Roving Gambler

SOURCE: https://open.spotify.com/track/5rkkQsz2EC9VaFTnAJWAHJ?si=213e5631c1a04ca0