Every Folk Song Podcast
1) Christmas Special
An Every Folk Song chronology of some of the major Christmas songs in history. From The Friendly Beasts to Frosty the Snowman and more! Matt takes a break from pure folk songs to bring you this look i...Show More
2) 15 - The Cruel Ship's Carpenter
Roud 15 is called "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter," but if you know it, it would probably be as "Pretty Polly." And old English song about a brutal, calculated murder which became an American bluegrass st...Show More
3) The Wratten Murders
A little diversion from the normal path down the Roud Folk Index, Matt sets off on a quest to solve a mundane little mystery and discovers a horrific and little known true crime story with twists and ...Show More
4) 14 - The Daemon Lover
Roud 14, "The Daemon Lover." Or "The House Carpenter." It's a song that epitomizes a literary and cultural motif that's been expounded on in depth by people a lot smarter than me, but I try to capture...Show More
5) 13 - The Dowie Dens of Yarrow
Roud 13 is called "The Dowie Dens of Yarrow." It is as much about a small area of Scotland and its history as it is about a man betrayed and the woman who mourns him. http://everyfolksong.xyz
6) 12 - The Elfin Knight
Roud 12 is called "The Elfin Knight." You would definitely know it better as "Scarborough Fair." It's about a magical man and his would-be young bride. And it's about an old merchant's fair in North Y...Show More
7) 11 - The Baffled Knight
This episode focuses on Roud 11, "The Baffled Knight." It's a moral swamp and I have a few breakdowns about it. The oldest published version was in 1609 and that's almost as long as it's been since I ...Show More
8) 10 - Lord Randall
Roud 10, "Lord Randall" is the last song about murder for a little while, I think. Evolved from an old Italian song first printed in the 1600s, this English song has been incredibly popular. And it's ...Show More
9) 9 - The Cruel Mother
Roud 9, "The Cruel Mother." A product of the society and moral/political climate it formed in, this 400ish-year-old song weaves a haunting and disturbing tale. While possibly borne of politics long pa...Show More
10) 8 - The Twa Sisters
Roud 8, "the Twa Sisters" or "the Two Sisters" or 30 different other titles. This ballad, first published in 1656, has its roots in European culture as far back to the 9th Century and spreads out like...Show More