Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis
Folk Files
Welcome to the third season of Folk Files! We are starting off the year with a Robert Burns-themed episode to celebrate Burns Night on January 25th. Learn about the traditions associated with the Burns Night Supper and discover how Robert Burns was indispensable when it came to preserving Scottish folk music. Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: Check out the new website: Listen to The Rhythm Atlas: Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Reach out to Folk Files at For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files...
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Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla
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: Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Musical excerpts: ARTIST: The Sixteen WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: ARTIST: Sting (from A Winter’s Night Live from Durham Cathedral) WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: ...
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Bonus Episode: The Ballad World of Anna Gordon
Folk Files
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 informa
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Episode #2.11 - The Flower of England
Folk Files
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:
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Folk Files 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 M Folk Files 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: info_outline
Folk Files 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:
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Folk Files 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:
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Folk Files 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 Music Folk Files 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/F
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