Folk Files

Episode #3.8 - Beat the Drum Slowly

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

Episode #3.7 - I Got the Blues

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, t

Episode #3.6 - There Was Two Brothers

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

Episode #3.5 - Rise Again

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 discu

Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters

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) ca

Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar

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 actual

Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned

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

Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis

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 tradi

Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla

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 lo

Bonus Episode: The Ballad World of Anna Gordon

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

Episode #2.11 - The Flower of England

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

Folk Files #2.10 - Beware the Moss

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

Folk Files #2.9 - I Said the Sparrow

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 histo

Folk Files #2.8 - Stand and Deliver

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

Episode #2.7 - I Died For Love

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, a

Episode #2.6 - No Strings Attached

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,

Episode #2.5 - Strings Attached

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

Folk Files #2.4 - I Am A Roving Gambler

This episode explores the variations, history, and geography of the bluegrass song "The Roving Gambler." Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Ashford King, The

Folk Files #2.3 - No Land is Alone

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

Episode Swap - Basic Folk: Carolyn Kendrick's Devilish Detour

Surprise! This is not an episode of Folk Files: It's an episode of Basic Folk! Basic Folk, produced by the Bluegrass Situation, is a podcast that features honest conversa