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 ballad The 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...

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

Today I will look at the Victorian song British Man of War and its sequel Susan’s Adventures in a British Man of War .  A sailor is walking with his true love Susan. When she asks him not to venture into danger; the sailor tells her he must go and fight the Chinese for the honour of the country. He tears his handkerchief into two and presents her with one of the halves as link to his love. As he i...

Today I will look at the song known as Three Ravens and the reworked version known as TheTwa Corbies. The ballad tells of a discussion between three ravens that see a dead knight whose body is protected from predators by his hounds and hawks

An American from Philadelphia is wandering around Europe; he wanders into England. He meets a young woman and falls in love with her, asks her father’s permission to marry her and settles down on the Green Mossy Banks of the Lea

Today I will look at the ballad known as The Lass of Roch Royal it is also known as Lord Gregory and The Maid of Aughrim. I will look at the songs and publishing history, sing samples of the songs and end on a complete performance of one of the songs

In today’s podcast I will look at the song Sweet William also known under several other titles including Father, Build Me A Boat, A Sailor’s Life, and Early, Early in the Spring . I will look at the known background to the song, its printing history and development. I will sing samples of the tune linked to the song and end with a full performance.  

Today’s podcast looks at the seasonal carol The Moon Shines Bright also known as The Bellman’s Song . I will look at the background to the carol, its publishing history, and sing samples of the carol and end on a complete performance of a version of the carol

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 songs

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.

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 songs

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.

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 performance

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 performance 

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.com

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 performance