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Non-lexical vocables are syllables without any semantic meaning, sometimes called “nonsense syllables.” In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll explore lilting, yodeling, konnakol, throat singing, and other vocable traditions from around the world. During our global musical journey, we’ll discover that these syllables carry meaning, even though they don’t have definitions. For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-9/ Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/ Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

The Anglo-Irish ballad "The Unfortunate Lad," the cowboy classic "Streets of Laredo," and the blues song "St. James of Infirmary" are often considered different versions of the same song. But it's possible that this categorization was influenced by careless and dubious scholarship. In addition to examining the relationship between these different songs, this episode of Folk Files looks at how these ballads (#2 in the Roud Folk Song Index) functioned as PSAs that educated listeners about public health concerns. (Content note: this episode discusses STIs). For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-8/ Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/ Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

According to many textbooks, the blues is a genre that was born in the rural Mississippi Delta, with roots in the “sorrow songs” of enslaved people. It’s easy, however, to poke holes in this origin story and instead start to see the blues as a joyful, rebellious musical expression that formed in an urban environment. In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll take a look at different theories about the origin of the blues, separate fact from fiction, and uncover the reason why the Mississippi Delta narrative was promoted so strongly. (Note: episode has occasional explicit language and sexual references). For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-7/ Host: Olivia Harding Chris Thomas King’s The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture: https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/the-blues-products-9780897336482.php Visit the Delta Blues Museum: https://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/ Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/ Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Whereas the “Two Sisters” murder ballad is a complete, coherent story, “Two Brothers” is messy. What’s the motive? Who are these brothers? Who kills who? In this episode of Folk Files, we search for the answers to these questions… and discover a dark hypothesis for why the story is so vague. (Content warning: this episode discusses themes that may not be appropriate for children). Folk Files is now a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/ For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-6/ Host: Olivia Harding Explore the Derek Piotr Fieldwork Archive: https://fieldwork-archive.com/ Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Stan Rogers was one of Canada's greatest singer-songwriters, despite his music having never had major distribution or significant radio playtime. In this episode, I discuss the (tragically short) life of the impressive baritone and dissect his songs in order to answer this question: What makes his songs such instant folk classics? Host and Producer: Olivia Harding Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton Learn more about TransTrad: https://www.transtradfest.org/ Watch the One Warm Line: The Legacy of Stan Rogers: https://youtu.be/-h9A2RAfv9M?si=EJMzxJbvwi_upiEj Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast For a full list of musical excerpts, head to the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-5/

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 America, and Scandinavia. But where did it originally come from? And how has the story changed as it's traveled across seas? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, all about "Twa Sisters." CORRECTION: The artist named as "Kate Corwen" should actually be "Kate Fletcher" (Kate Fletcher performs in a duo with Corwen Broch) Host: Olivia Harding Learn more about the Spokane Fall Folk Festival: https://www.spokanefolkfestival.org/ For more on this ballad, check out the In the Roud podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj8x5X1kCc0 Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/uncategorized/episode-3-4/

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, we'll discuss the Rising of 1798, the history of Dublin, the Great Famine, and the Irish diaspora.  Host: Olivia Harding Learn more about the Albuquerque Folk Festival: https://www.abqfolkfest.org/ Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website:

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 episode of Folk Files, which discusses "The MTA," "The Wreck of the Old '97," and "The Ship That Never Returned." Host: Olivia Harding Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/ Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Reach out to Folk Files at [email protected] For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-2/

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: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/ Listen to The Rhythm Atlas: https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/ Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton Reach out to Folk Files at [email protected] For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-1/

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: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton   Musical excerpts: ARTIST: The Sixteen WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/_jIYyPOoEc8?si=mgPi4WH4G9LUnMT7   ARTIST: Sting (from A Winter's Night Live from Durham Cathedral) WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/hahwYqQd_gA?si=wJR4Qz-ZmUW9IaD2   ARTIST: Nora Fischer and Marnix Dorrestein WORK:  Oblivion Soave from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JTHQqJDV4os?si=820upsG60MJJyC5M   ARTIST: Jeanette Blakeley WORK: "Lullaby" from Menotti's The Consul SOURCE: https://youtu.be/nImWN8o1f-E?si=Coj_UsTcod6m1Bbr   ARTIST: Barry and Beth Hall WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JCFg4S3kSV4?si=CleozvHduvVsAAxB   ARTIST: Chicago WORK: Wishing You Were Here SOURCE: https://youtu.be/Zv0OwvsP0ek?si=cVc25wbawFlT7pkw   ARTIST: The Zombies WORK: Time of the Season SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ecsAI3FhY   ARTIST: Alison Moyet WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kcrYqDqCN_Y?si=DoKE80e3peRMtvSo   ARTIST: The Choir of Magdalen College Oxford WORK: Song of the Nuns of Chester SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0UtKzXb9Js   ARTIST: The Cambridge Singers WORK: Coventry Carol (composed by Kenneth Leighton) SOURCE: https://youtu.be/uAA0lZ1YG90?si=VQYE2a0KSeFhZGks   ARTIST: Sufjan Stevens WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/o6492UYw_hs?si=U0k6ZlmkfoIcULct

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

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: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Oscar Isaac WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfeKFKG3JWM ARTIST: Cyril Tawney WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESUdOHChNKw ARTIST: Joan Baez WORK:  The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZNp9le6x8 ARTIST: Bedlam Early Music WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYGWmV2XAnU ARTIST: Peggy Seeger WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://youtu.be/7z0KILKEZhk?si=qmkqUwFtPVlKyaGH ARTIST: Duncan Williamson WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AB34LE2XNHS5FC8O ARTIST: John Jacob Niles WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnUaWKysPQM ARTIST: Isla Cameron WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://youtu.be/mMmHkgq1_T0?si=MAzM8qm8_0wHxoAc ARTIST: Karine Polwart WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT2uqT3am1M ARTIST: Bothy Band WORK: The Death of Queen Jane SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYHkpjkZvJA

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 Musical excerpts: ARTIST: The Wainwright Sisters WORK: Long Lankin SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8vzCkJJlSQ ARTIST: Steeleye Span WORK: Long Lankin SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Rw1SVfa_U ARTIST: Martin Carthy WORK:  Long Lankin SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlYuv1ZUsZ0 ARTIST: George Fradley WORK: Lankin SOURCE: https://youtu.be/yrEuzBE0uTs?si=aIpFgzidrF7YGpnN ARTIST: Geordie McIntyre WORK: Lamkin SOURCE: https://youtu.be/LQF9M1Omrfs?si=d0yAQwvibFAIDLeQ ARTIST: Alasdair Roberts & Friends WORK: Long Lankin SOURCE: https://youtu.be/es-bKUVLtUE?si=yxV9vFgzZoMpPPVC ARTIST: Lisa Knapp WORK: Long Lankin SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zahxuV3H9Sk ARTIST: Frank Proffitt WORK: Bo Lamkin SOURCE: https://youtu.be/G6MLv__s_cU?si=9kG2WJSa1F0fZ1dg

Who Killed C**k 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 C**k Robin by Yuri Gohen: https://yurigohen.bandcamp.com/album/who-killed-c**k-robin https://open.spotify.com/album/5I5HTXbYVPOxc7MtKFU9jX?si=LXPUC86NQ1iamUUntn4GtA Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Peggy Seeger WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=hVTcXtK_8Qo ARTIST: Tim Hart and Friends WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjGyLkGJBlI ARTIST: King's Singers WORK:  Of All the Birds SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnr6Oxybkq4 ARTIST: Dana and Susan Robinson WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://youtu.be/HqP26mqO4GY?si=xS2SAHX8BItCQ00U ARTIST: Jean Ritchie WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otcP8CCCt3c ARTIST: Glenn Yarbrough WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACX6OS6oO5k ARTIST: Richard Dyer-Bennet WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://youtu.be/lhTXFbYn3WY ARTIST: John Jacob Niles WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_lfkMQGPs ARTIST: Robin Roberts WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB9eTpc-G1U ARTIST: Silly Symphony WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GK66CFljA0 ARTIST: St. Michael's Junior School for Girls in Cumberland WORK: C**k Robin is Dead and Lays in his Grave SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YteMR9prrQ ARTIST: Yuri Gohen WORK: Who Killed C**k Robin? SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40-TqWBPoDs

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: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast *This episode of Folk Files was recorded on the road. Apologies for any lapses in quality.* Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Steeleye Span WORK: Cadgwith Anthem SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBpPYA8ebY ARTIST: Ewan MacColl WORK: Alan Tyne O'Harrow SOURCE: https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/alan-tyne-o-harrow ARTIST: Martin Carthy WORK:  Newlyn Town SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7hDJI85uI ARTIST: Roger McGuinn WORK: Whiskey in the Jar SOURCE: https://youtu.be/i8iAp0mTKjo?si=htJCj3YzGDz4UWso ARTIST: Loreena McKennitt WORK: The Highwayman SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YGFo0xn4JeY ARTIST: Ewan MacColl WORK: The Crafty Farmer SOURCE: https://youtu.be/GT_uXRERmsE?si=bNwLhDjFCXB9yuij ARTIST: Magpie Lane WORK: The Highwayman Outwitted SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kXHL6omuz3c?si=pnX3AOzB6sbfoNZu ARTIST: Jackie Oates WORK: Robbers' Retreat SOURCE: https://youtu.be/ZzPA52DWzwM?si=ZkM3a4WDugEpC4yp ARTIST: The Mousehole Male Voice Choir WORK: The Cadgwith Anthem SOURCE: https://youtu.be/yXFIUuWARB0?si=mgpBLQqoKOYtge7N ARTIST: The Longest Johns WORK: Cadgwith Anthem SOURCE: https://youtu.be/UiBlnnN2PWU?si=78Mzy7npMptFomP1 ARTIST: Bounding Main WORK: Cadgwith Anthem SOURCE: https://youtu.be/KQbYYnoM3wM?si=UF20bLf7VaKn-lGD