In today’s podcast I will look at the two separate songs that we know as The Broom of the Cowdenknowes. I will look at the songs and publishing history, show the difference between the songs and sing samples of the songs and end on a complete performance of one of the songsAutor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the background to the death of Admiral John Benbow in 1702 and why he was celebrated in songs that are still sung today. I will sing samples of the songs and end on a full performance.Autor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the Scottish ballad Katherine Jaffrey, its English equivalent known as The Green Wedding and the reworked poem Lochinvar. I will look at their publishing history, show the difference and sing samples of the songs and end on a complete performance of one of the songsAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad High Germany along with two other songs that have similar themes - The True Lovers and The Wars of Germany. I will look at its background and printing history, sing samples of the different tunes and versions I will end on a full performance.Autor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry often referred to as The Silkie or The Norway Maid. I will look at its background and printing history. Sing samples of the different tunes and versions, and end on a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the song The Foggy Dew, a tale of seduction and lasting love. I will look at what we know about its origin, its variations and printing history. I will sing samples of the song tunes and end on a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad Death of Queen Jane. I will look at its background and printing history Sing samples of the different tunes and versions and end on a full performance. The ballad tells of the death of Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII of England and I explore the probable truth and the political spin of that time.…

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad Sweet William’s Ghost. I will look at its background and printing history. Sing samples of the different tunes and versions, and end on a full performance All the podcasts can be found on the website: caffreymcgurkmadge.comAutor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the maritime song A Ship in Distress and two associated songs The Silk Merchant’s Daughter and Little Billee. I will explore its background and printing history, sing versions of the song and end on a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad The Three Butchers, a tale of robbers, an heroic butcher and a traitorous woman. I will look at its background and printing history Sing samples of the different versions and end on a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the Scottish ballad Clerk Saunders. I will show just what is known about the ballad and note its publishing history. I will sing samples of the known tunes and end on a full performance of the ballad.Autor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the Scottish song John of Hazelgreen and its related song Jock of Hazeldene. I will look at its known background and printing history. Sing samples of the different versions and end on a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the song Sheep Crook and Black Dog also known as My Flora and I and Spread the Green Branches. I will look at its known background and printing history. Sing samples of the different versions and end on a full performance.Autor: Nick Caffrey

I today’s podcast I will look at the song The Female Highwayman also known as Sovay and Sylvia. I will explore its background and printing history, sing versions of the song and end on a full performance.Autor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the song Oxford City also known as Jealousy and Poison in a Glass of Wine. I will show just what is known about the ballad and note its publishing history. I will sing samples of the known tunes and end on a full performance of the ballad.Autor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at night visiting songs that have a similar internal structure that is used to carry the narrative. I will look at their origins, where known, the printing history and sing samples of the tunes and text. I will end on a full performance of one of the songsAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad The Famous Flower of Serving-Men. A romantic tale of a young widow who changes her identity, and becomes a male servant to a king. When her true identity is discovered the king takes her for his bride. I will look at the ballads origin, its printing history and sing tunes linked to the ballad. I will end on a fil…

In today podcast I will look at the popular Scottish song Bogie’s Bonny Belle. I will look at its origin, its publishing history and sing some samples of the song. I will end the podcast with a look at the poem turned song Adieu to BogiesideAutor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the song Seventeen Come Sunday, a song of seduction by a soldier and a willing maiden.Autor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the songs relating to General James Wolfe and the background to Battle of Quebec of 12 & 13 September 1759. I will look at the printing history of the songs, sing some samples of the songs and end on a full performance.Autor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will be looking at one of the oldest noted traditional songs The Corpus Christi Carol. I will look at its background, its printing history and sing tunes associated with the song and end on a full performance of the songAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad Willie of Winsbury also known as Tom Barbery in the English and Irish versions. This is a song of seduction of a wealthy heiress by a servant man, which has a happy endingAutor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast I will look at the song The Lowlands of Holland, a tale of parted lovers, a shipwreck and loss. I will explore its background and printing history. Sing samples of the tunes associated with the song and end on a full performance.Autor: Nick Caffrey

Today I will be exploring the ballad Death and the Lady which tells of a meeting and conversation between Death and a wealthy lady. Death tells her she does not have long to live, the lady tries to buy more time. Death is not interested in wealth and the lady meets her fate. I will look at its background and printing history. I will sing some examp…

Today I will be examining the song Rambleaway. A song of a seducer and his encounter with a young woman he meets at a fair. I will look at the known printing history, sing some song examples and end on a full performance of the songAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the ballad The Captain’s Apprentice and includes other songs about the mistreatment of sailors. I will look at the background to the songs, the printing history and sing some of the tunes linked to the songs. I will end the podcast with a full performance of one of the songs.…

In today’s podcast I will look at the ballad Mary Hamilton also known as The Four Marys. I will look at the background to the ballad and show its printing history. I will sing tunes linked to the Ballad and end on a full performance of the balladAutor: Nick Caffrey

Today’s podcast looks at the popular Christian folk carol The Cherry Tree Carol and will include the lesser-known carol As Joseph was A-Walking. A tale of cherries, a marital tiff and supernatural intervention. I will sing samples of the tunes associated with the songs and end on a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

I will look at the songs that have the Bedlam asylum as its main location. I will examine the background to the songs and look at the printing history.Autor: Nick Caffrey

In today’s podcast we have a tale of love that continues after death, until the lover’s ghost returns to ask for peace within the grave. I will sing excerpts of the tunes and end in a full performanceAutor: Nick Caffrey

A young man tells of his life as a robber and highwayman and his eventual capture, trial, and his farewell. I will look at their known printing history and examine some of the references that are contained in the song. Examine the various versions, sing samples of the tunes and end on a full performance of the song.…

Series 2 #3 Tam Lin This ballad must be the epitome of the classic British ballads with its tale of seduction, elfin magic, rescue, and final curses from an angry Elfin Queen. Along the way I will sing samples of the tunes associated with the ballad and look at its background, printing history and the folklore behind the narrative.…

A condemned person stands on the gallows platform awaiting execution. He asks his relative for help but it is refused. Finally the lover brings a fee or a pardon. The podcast explains the background to the song. Song versions are sung to provide samples of the different tunes associated with the song. It ends with a full performance.…

A story of would-be seduction and impossible tasks. A look at the background and associated songs with sung examples, and a final performance by Caffrey McGurk Madge.Autor: Nick Caffrey

23 Lady Maisry and other songs often linked to this ballad – Bonnie Susie Cleland and Mother Mother Make My Bed. A song of pregnancy, family feud and murderAutor: Nick Caffrey

22 The Streams of Lovely Nancy, also known as Come All You Little Streamers and, The Streams of Nantsian. A cryptic love song reflecting on lost love and an idealised dwellingAutor: Nick Caffrey

21 The Cruel Ship's Carpenter: A tale of murder, a sea voyage and ultimate revenge. Along the way I will sing excerpts of the various ballad tunes and look at it known historyAutor: Nick Caffrey

False Bride, a song of regret sung by the rejected suitor. Along the way I will sing some samples of tune and look at the background and printing history. The final song is performed by Nick DowAutor: Nick Caffrey

Autor: Nick Caffrey

A tale of a seducer and serial killer of young women, his eventual downfall at the hands of a clever plucky heroine, and end with a conversation with a parrot. Along the way I will sing tunes that are linked into the different versions of the ballad, and look at its background and printing historyAutor: Nick Caffrey

The Seeds of Love and The Sprig of Thyme, both have similar themes using flower motifs as symbols of their disappointed love. Over the years the songs have become intertwined. I will show both songs as separate entities and look at their possible history. Then show how they have become joined as if they were one song. I will sing examples of variou…

A tale revenge by a cheated mason, murder and execution. Looking at its background, origin and the various versions and tunes with sung examples. It will end with a full performance of the song. Further information: Broadside: a published song sold on the streets - usually one-sided page (hence broadside).…

A tale of a young and pregnant woman whose lover decides to ride off instead of marrying her. I will look at its history and sing samples of tunes and finish on a performance of a full version of the ballad.Autor: Nick Caffrey

A song of imprisonment, appeal and sadness. Discusses the background to the English version of Geordie, with sung examples of the tunes used for the song ending with a full performance sung by Ed McGurk accompanied by Robin Madge.Autor: Nick Caffrey

A tale of imprisonment, a plucky wife and a ransom paid for freedom This song is also known as The Lady of Gight or Gight's Lady. I sing tunes related to the ballad and look at its background and varying scenariosAutor: Nick Caffrey

A song of an outsider who seduces a young girl, I will also look at the Irish variation written by Dr George Sigerson The podcast ends with a performance by Jane and Amanda Threlfall sing the English version collected by Percy Merrick.Autor: Nick Caffrey

A ballad of would-be seduction foiled by herbal magic. It includes talking animals and an unsavory suitor. The end performance is by Nick Dow, accompanied by Nigel Cantor on violin.Autor: Nick Caffrey

A song of an arranged marriage. I will sing some of the tunes associated with the song and look at its background and publishing historyAutor: Nick Caffrey

A dark tale of jealousy and thoughtless murder and in early versions, supernatural revenge. I also look at the ballad The Berkshire Tragedy which is often mistakenly linked to the The Two Sisters ballad. As well as tracing the known history of the song I sing samples of the different tunes associated to the ballad and finish on a full performance.…

A ballad of two lovers, deadly murder, and a ghostly visit. I will also look at a later rewrite of the ballad The Constant Farmer's Son. I will sing samples of the tunes and end on a full performance of Bruton Town sung by Nick Caffrey and accompanied on guitar by Nick DowAutor: Nick Caffrey