Nick Caffrey a singer's view on traditional songs

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

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 performance

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.

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 performance

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.

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.

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.

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 songs

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 fill performance of the ballad.