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
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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
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