Folk Files

<p>A harrowing murder ballad in which an older sister shoves her younger sister in the water (and sometimes a musician makes an instrument from the drowned girl's corpse) can be found all over Great Britain, North...

<p>In this St. Patrick's Day episode, I ask the question: Is it actually Irish? We will explore over thirty songs that are performed in Irish contexts and see if they actually come from Irish sources. Along the way...

<p>Is "The MTA Song" a conservative song or a communist song (or neither)? And why did record companies try to hide the origins of the tune of one of the most prolific early 20th century country songs? Find out in this...

<p>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...

<p >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...

<p>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...

<p>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...

<p>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...

<p>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.</p> <p><br/></p>...

<p>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...

<p>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...

<p>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...

<p>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...

<p>This episode explores the variations, history, and geography of the bluegrass song "The Roving Gambler."</p> <p><br/></p> <p>Host: Olivia Harding</p> <p>Special thanks to: Ashford King, The Cecil Sharp House/Ralph...

<p>From 1986-1991, a "Singing Revolution" took place in the Baltic states, leading to their independence from the Soviet Union. This episode of Folk Files looks at the rich musical history that paved the way for the...