Every Folk Song

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 a turns which consumes his life.  Thanks to: Daviess County Historical Society and Museum: https://www.daviesscountyhistory.com/ Paul Slade: http://www.planetslade.com/ The Windfarmers: https://soundcloud.com/user-485899048 Adam Gordon: https://youtu.be/dpiQuuFz8D http://everyfolksong.xyz

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 the ideas here. A lot of people helped with this episode, so thanks to all of them, and all of your for listening. http://everyfolksong.xyz

Roud 13 is called "The Dowie Dens of Yarrow." It's as much about a small area of Scotland and it's history as it is about a man betrayed and the woman who mourns him. http://everyfolksong.xyz

Roud 12 is called "The Elfin Knight." You would definitely know it better as "Scarborough Fair." Its about a magical man and his would-be young bride. And it's about an old merchant's fair in North Yorkshire. And it's about 4 herbs, which you know very well.  There's a lot of modern history with this song, so as such, there's a LOT of information.  http://everyfolksong.xyz http://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/

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 last released an episode.

10 - Lord Randall

9 - The Cruel Mother

8 - The Twa Sisters

7 - The Female Highwayman

6 - Long Lankin

5 - The Three Ravens

4 - Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor

3 - The Sprig of Thyme

2 - The Unfortunate Rake

1 - The Raggle Taggle Gypsy