Every Folk Song

Matt Aukamp
  • 4.9 (42)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

A podcast where a guy with no expertise on anything explains the history and evolution (to the best of his researched knowledge) of every folk song, in order by Roud Index number.

  1. 12/20/2020

    Christmas Special

    An Every Folk Song chronology of some of the major Christmas songs in history. From The Friendly Beasts to Frosty the Snowman and more! Matt takes a break from pure folk songs to bring you this look into the history of some of your favorite Christmas songs. This is a long one, so I advise you listen in chunks.   Happy Holidays! http://everyfolksong.xyz/

    2h 22m

  2. 10/09/2020

    15 - The Cruel Ship's Carpenter

    Roud 15 is called "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter," but if you know it, it would probably be as "Pretty Polly." And old English song about a brutal, calculated murder which became an American bluegrass standard, this song has a well-traced history behind it. In this episode, I bring along Paul Slade of http://www.planetslade.com/ to talk about it with me.   http://everyfolksong.xyz

    1h 23m

  3. 04/02/2020

    The Wratten Murders

    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 the Daviess County Historical Society and Museum and Don Cosby: https://www.daviesscountyhistory.com/ Thanks to Paul Slade: http://www.planetslade.com/ And HUGE thanks to The Windfarmers: https://soundcloud.com/user-485899048 And Adam Gordon: https://youtu.be/dpiQuuFz8DU http://everyfolksong.xyz

    1h 35m

  4. 02/09/2020

    14 - The Daemon Lover

    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

    1h 4m

  5. 06/16/2019

    13 - The Dowie Dens of Yarrow

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

    55 min

  6. 05/25/2019

    12 - The Elfin Knight

    Roud 12 is called "The Elfin Knight." You would definitely know it better as "Scarborough Fair." It's 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/

    1h 17m

  7. 04/02/2018

    11 - The Baffled Knight

    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.   http://everyfolksong.xyz

    57 min

  8. 01/09/2014

    10 - Lord Randall

    Roud 10, "Lord Randall" is the last song about murder for a little while, I think. Evolved from an old Italian song first printed in the 1600s, this English song has been incredibly popular. And it's one of Matt's favorite songs we've covered so far. http://everyfolksong.xyz

    42 min
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4.9
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

A podcast where a guy with no expertise on anything explains the history and evolution (to the best of his researched knowledge) of every folk song, in order by Roud Index number.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Aukamp
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2020
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Every Folk Song