Nick Caffrey a singer's view on traditional songs

A medeval song for the Christmas period: Today I will look at the ballads The Carnal and the Crane, King Pharim, and King Herod and the Cock all of which concern the mythical beginnings of the early life of Jesus of Nazareth. I will look at their known printing history, sing samples of the different versions and end with a full performance of the ballad

Today I will look at two English songs My Bonny, Bonny Boy and The Grey Hawk that share a similar theme of lost love 

There are two British ballads that are often confused with each other. These ballads are Edward and The Two Brothers. I will also look at Lord Randall which often shares some verses with the Edward ballad and I will include the American ballad known as The Rolling of the Stones which is often linked to the Two Brothers

Today I will look at two English songs Hares on the Mountain and The Furze Field that share a similar theme of sexual desire disguised as countryside theme. I will look at their printing history, sing samples of the different versions and end with a full performance of one of the songss 

The Deamon Lover or The House Carpenter’s Wife  Today I will look at the balld known Deamon Lover or The House Carpenter’s Wife. I will look at the publishing history, sing samples of the song and end on a complete performance of the balladThe ballad tells of a young married woman who is visited by a previous love who had once been he intended husband, She is seduced away from her husband and child by promises of wealth

Today podcast examines the popular ballad Barbara Allen. I will look at the publishing history, sing samples of the songs and end on a complete performance of one of the songs.A young man falls in love with Barbara Allen, but she does not return his love and makes scornful remarks about him. He pines away and dies. Barbara Allen realises that she loved him and she too pines away and dies.

Today I will look at the ballads which contain riddles within their central theme.  I will look at the publishing history, sing samples of the songs and end on a complete performance of one of the songs

Today I will look at the ballad known Lady Elspat Lady Elspat plans to elope with her love William, but her brother's page informs Elspat’s mother. The mother takes William to court on a charge of breaking into the castle stealing her jewels. 

In today’s podcast we’ll take a look at songs in which lovers are parted and eventually return after some years.  These are often referred to as broken token songs 

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad The Wife of Usher’s Well. A mother sends her sons across the sea to school, only to find later that they had died. She grieves their loss, cursing the winds and sea for their return. They do return, as physical ghosts, and convince her to let them rest in peace