Folk Files

This episode of Folk Files discusses songs involving infanticide. “The Well Below the Valley” and “The Cruel Mother” stand at the center of this heartbreaking voyage through historical records, Scandinavian folklore, and murder ballads. Host: Olivia Harding Join the Folk FIles Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Special Thanks To: Aaron J. Morton Note: Because it’s always true in folk songs, when I refer to pregnant people in general, I say “women”. However, the difficulties I discuss (postpartum maladies, access to medical care, etc.) affect people of all genders. Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Christy Moore WORK: Well Below the Valley SOURCE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylZGw7tfAHI ARTIST: Polly Paulusma WORK: The Maid and the Palmer SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUILSHtxYWI ARTIST: Sähköpaimen WORK: Mataleena på Källebro SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAk_knoRDdE ARTIST: Brass Monkey WORK: The Maid and the Palmer SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIeZ953yUc4 ARTIST: Hack-Poets Guild WORK: Cruel Mother SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pzvqeBHsSg ARTIST: Alasdair Roberts WORK: The Cruel Mother SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIOANdvjRqY ARTIST: Bryndís Sveinbjörnsdóttir WORK: Móðir mín í kví, kví SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtKTkSMO5Us ARTIST: Shirley Collins WORK: The Cruel Mother SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3DuJrjwts ARTIST: Ewan MacColl WORK: Sheath and Knife SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=787wXkYcdHY ARTIST: Nick Hart WORK: Lucy Wan SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TihjH0G_0H0

Episode 9 is all about birds! Embark on a journey around the world to sample bird songs and birdsong. Along the way, listen to the mockingbird, help the blackbird find his missing pieces, and rumple up the cuckoo’s nest. Note: This was recorded on the road (away from the studio) so please excuse any loss of audio quality! Host: Olivia Harding Join the Folk FIles Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Beatrice Harrison WORK: “Actually recorded in Beatrice Harrison's Garden, Oxted” SOURCE:  https://youtu.be/QPxT95WwIBM?si=wreVzzkJVYWt6kWt ARTIST: Recorded by the BBC WORK: “Nightingales Sing As RAF Bombers Fly” SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_MHqW5KVds&t=4s ARTIST: Sam Lee WORK: Blackbird SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDQMVFgRv10 ARTIST: Unknown WORK: Sarika Keo Euy SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-jcF5jr6Ic ARTIST: Cote Godoy WORK: En Un Lejano Bosque SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-buGB5jM_IE ARTIST: Savanna Tríóïð WORK: Sa ég spóa SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoiihIzaD5g ARTIST: Mohamed Fawzi WORK: Zahab al-leil SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdPNR47biiI ARTIST: The Brown Madrigal Singers WORK: Of All the Birds That I Do Know SOURCE: 2010 Holiday Concert ARTIST: Steeleye Span WORK: Drink Down the Moon SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sGBhvJuNBw ARTIST: Oberkirchen Choir WORK: Kuckuck, Kuckuck SOURCE: https://youtu.be/s8J8aGe0Pe8?si=RM3Wrkz8fjCdbbK6 ARTIST: Rising Appalachia WORK: Cuckoo SOURCE: https://youtu.be/h6ow2Z5Jh9Y?si=0mi84w2KziN1hBtv ARTIST: Cosmo Sheldrake WORK: Cuckoo Song SOURCE: https://youtu.be/cbQyFZmuA58?si=UgLUJ7K6o9B5VHAF ARTIST: Tonton Dezirab WORK: Ti Zwazo SOURCE: https://youtu.be/b5zzeW6YuJc?si=NNm7daTxNo0LONaq ARTIST: Mitamaiyu Primary WORK: Kanyoni Kanja SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x4nSfjchvg ARTIST: Dolly Parton and Stuart Duncan WORK: Listen to the Mockingbird SOURCE: https://youtu.be/vqYYkWwfYhs?si=PU0fHePemEcx4jko ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Misirloucuckoo’s Nest SOURCE: https://www.musicthegathering.com/store/lvl-3-digital-album-esexe

“Shady Grove” is an Appalachian folk song that is often linked to the English ballad “Matty Groves”. But what is the actual relationship between them? This episode of Folk Files discusses the meaning of “Shady Grove” and untangles the origins of these two songs. Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Aaron J Morton. Join the Folk Files Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Doc Watson WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0f-dCMSVKQ ARTIST: Jean Ritchie WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFw78zP39Y4 ARTIST: Jennifer Goree WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.ghostmeat.com/jennifergoree.html ARTIST: Michael Johnathon WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvsTIvwgNI0 ARTIST: Jerry Garcia and the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZBuFXlISkQ ARTIST: Billy Strings WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGScvVTHqQo ARTIST:The Kingston Trio WORK: Old Joe Clark SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7dH-CYed0 ARTIST: Kentucky Thorobreds WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46eBbMhB-TI ARTIST: Hedy West WORK: Barbara Allen SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzTAsbdztMY ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.musicthegathering.com/store/lvl-3-digital-album-petnc-8c8hy ARTIST: Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl WORK: Matty Groves SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdyUqIfGa1Y ARTIST: Martin Carthy  WORK: Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt7-hYd7PdM ARTIST: Fairport Convention WORK: Matty Groves SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1it7BP5PckI ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aacCgKWGoWg

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 DaySOURCE: 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

April is dead and summer is a-coming in! This episode of Folk Files explores the tradition of May songs and festivals, specifically focusing on Hal an Tow and the Flora Day celebrations in Cornwall. Morris dancing, maypoles, and the origin of May Day are also discussed. Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Stephen Winick, Donna Smith, Aaron J. Morton, The Soup Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Marc Block WORK: Hal an Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgBzSNOc3A8 ARTIST: Ranarim WORK: Maj vare välkommen SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7wXcJiGH-o ARTIST: The Halekulani Girls WORK: May Day is Lei Day SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3GuJp2PZPU ARTIST: The Watersons WORK: Hal an Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5kyvYoiS8c ARTIST: Helston Flora Day, recorded by artcornwall.org WORK: Hal an Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rftBZKbZRg ARTIST: Shirley Collins And The Albion Country Band WORK: Hal-an-Tow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5vUj6j8hjI ARTIST: David Hansen WORK: The Helston Furry Dance SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tGk9RODnRw ARTIST: The Ashdown Forest Morris Men, recorded by Britclip WORK: May Day 2024 SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXhh8ClqDaw ARTIST: Lillian Short WORK: Robin Hood SOURCE: Vance Randolph Collection AFC 1941/001: AFS 5263 B2 (https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2022/05/more-about-hal-an-tow-early-evidence-of-a-may-song/) ARTIST: Roger Miller WORK: Oo-De-Lally SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsyG3-IlY3Y ARTIST: Richard Thompson WORK: Sumer Is Icumen In SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKikjYdf1DA ARTIST: Lisa Knapp WORK: Till April is Dead SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe-WWMHQASg

Wayfaring Stranger is the featured song in this episode of Folk Files, which explores the history of Appalachia, shape note tradition, and the difficulties of tracing the origins of early American folk music.  Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton, Jo Morton, Lucas "Whiskey Richards" Husted, and Mary White-Harding Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Jack White WORK: Wayfaring Stranger SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25P08So3rfI ARTIST: Cherokee National Youth Choir WORK: North Wind SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_7j3qx-Qrs ARTIST: Detlef Korsen WORK: Ich Bin Ein Gast Auf Erden SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ia7MiVqRc ARTIST: Ireland Sacred Harp Convention WORK: Wayfaring Stranger SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dL4AVKA6tM ARTIST: The United Shape Note Singers of West Georgia and the Associated Note Singers of Atlanta WORK: What a Happy Time SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUwHIEb19Ug ARTIST: Texas Sacred Harp Singers WORK: What Wondrous Love SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRpV9H9ZpB0 ARTIST: ARRR!!! WORK: The Ballad of Captain Kidd SOURCE: Let’s Get Kraken: https://arrr-pirates.bandcamp.com/album/lets-get-kraken ARTIST: Rhiannon Giddens WORK: Wayfaring Stranger SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1Z4PAZX9Bs ARTIST: Ewan McColl WORK: Dowie Dens of Yarrow SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NfTplWa0mg ARTIST: Second Wind WORK: Wayfaring Stranger SOURCE: Deco Lounge, April 6 2024

This episode of Folk Files traces the roots of popular sea shanties to Black work songs and African folk traditions. Full list of referenced works: https://jmp.sh/gcOBH83N To jump into the Black origins of country music, start here: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/10/black-country-music-legacy/671818/ https://time.com/5673476/ken-burns-country-music-black-artists/ Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to Cherie and Michael Albert Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Paul Clayton and the Fo’c’sle Singers WORK: Haul Away Joe SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x73TAgmZYAM ARTIST: The Longest Johns WORK: Spanish Ladies SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3wzlHYzsg8 ARTIST: Ed Lewis and Prisoners from Parchman, Mississippi WORK: I Be So Glad When the Sun Goes Down SOURCE: https://youtu.be/C-zlSq4mWiE?si=fnGu-f8ZgGbMmv0- ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Sundown Below SOURCE: LVL 1 ARTIST: Assassin’s Creed: Rogue WORK: Donkey Riding SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfLP3gMh0Y ARTIST: David Coffin WORK: Roll the Old Chariot SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJtgjG0x9Mw ARTIST: Planxty WORK: Sally Brown SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Bq4-fCH0c ARTIST: Sam Lee WORK: Knock a Man Down SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NoUAQhY-g8 ARTIST: Bernard Wrigley et. al. WORK: Haul Away for Rosie SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1DugYkOOd0 ARTIST: Coon Creek Girls WORK: Jim Along Josie SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztG-7-P_G-w ARTIST: Lead Belly WORK: Haul Away Joe SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEoHm1GBQtU ARTIST: The Barroualie Whalers WORK: Tinnego SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwL5lpVt1Mk ARTIST: The Menhaden Chanteymen WORK: [Title Unknown] SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geAJI6he75I

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