Ahoy! This episode of Folk Files explores the strange history of Mingulay, the island at the center of the Mingulay Boat Song. The episode also delves into the difference between sea shanties and fo’c’sle songs and discusses the tradition of naming songs “[Scottish Island] Boat Song”. 

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton, Asia Lupo, Marc Mills, Arne Parrott, Joseph Maurer, Cherie Hopton Albert, and Michael Albert

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: ARRR!!!

WORK: Mingulay Boat Song

SOURCE: Scourge of the Open Waters

ARTIST: Tom Sullivan

WORK: Paddy Lay Back

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLLf4eC5pRA

ARTIST: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival demonstration on the Joseph Conrad

WORK: Blood Red Roses

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syAn2xv5HSU&t=48s

ARTIST: The Longest Johns

WORK: Mingulay Boat Song

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDt81x1B8nk

ARTIST: Robin Hall & Jimmy McGregor with the Galliards

WORK: Mingulay Boat Song

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF3CpSf7NxQ

ARTIST: Harbottle and Jonas (from Folk at the Corner House)

WORK: Mingulay Boat Song

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecuxgrISx0A

ARTIST: The Kilt Lifters

WORK: Queen Mary’s Escape

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7XpB1I-FSk

ARTIST: Mairi MacInnes

WORK: Cuachag Nan Craobh

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=298ngsE8dTY

ARTIST: Bear McCreary (feat. Griogair Labhruidh)

WORK: The Skye Boat Song

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnsVFslhy6I

ARTIST: Music the Gathering

WORK: Mingulay Boat Song (WIP)

SOURCE: Soon to be released on LVL 3. Check here for updates: https://www.musicthegathering.com/

In this holiday episode of Folk Files, we explore the old, wild, wonderful world of wassailing. Wæs hæl!

Host: Olivia Harding

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton.

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: The Brown University Madrigal Singers

WORK: Wassail Song, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams

SOURCE: 2010 Holiday Concert

ARTIST: Magpie Lane

WORK: The Somerset Wassail

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhWNp9vh39E

ARTIST: The King’s Singers

WORK: Here We Come A Wassailing

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YUGXr8FcdY

ARTIST: Ian Giles

WORK: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nppGaVz_8cw

ARTIST: Electra Women’s Choir

WORK: Yorkshire Wassail

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCXM9G9uyt4

ARTIST: Unknown, recorded by Smithsonian Folkways

WORK: John Canoe Music

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nIdRnL7vRU

ARTIST: Lady Maisery, Jimmy Aldridge, and Sid Goldsmith

WORK: Cornish Wassail

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo1aGvEUtcI

ARTIST: Phil Tanner

WORK: The Wassail Song (Gower)

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqCxKtHr778

ARTIST: Rhodri McDonagh

WORK: Deck the Halls (Welsh version)

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

Welcome to Folk Files, a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music throughout the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music that has withstood the test of time!

In this inaugural episode, we will discuss the meaning of "folk music" and explore the origins of the song "Health to the Company".

Special thanks to Misti Bernard, Jerry Barry, and Aaron J. Morton.

ARTIST: Sherrill Milnes, Liberty Tree Wind Players, American Fife Ensemble, Jon Spong

WORK: Liberty Song

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZI1MJuszYM

ARTIST: Vin Garbutt

WORK: We May Or Might Never All Meet Here Again

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Hg5V5YWWg

ARTIST: The Chieftains

WORK: Here's a Health to the Company

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

ARTIST: The Minstrels of Mayhem

WORK: Health to the Company

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7PVJuo4yw4

ARTIST: Owain Phyfe

WORK: A Health to the Company

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcS88F1jR4U

ARTIST: Winnie Ryan

WORK: I Am a Poor Girl and My Life it is Sad

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goAyQLQA1xg

ARTIST: Silly Wizard

WORK: If I was a Blackbird

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXi_uYP0tlM