Robbers, bandits, highwaymen…there are a lot of English folk songs about outlaws. In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll look at why there are so many songs about criminals and what patterns exist in these ballads. Then, we’ll look at Robbers’ Retreat in an attempt to figure out why the song (also known as Cadgwith Anthem) doesn’t seem to follow any of those patterns.
Host: Olivia Harding
Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast
*This episode of Folk Files was recorded on the road. Apologies for any lapses in quality.*
Musical excerpts:
ARTIST: Steeleye Span
WORK: Cadgwith Anthem
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBpPYA8ebY
ARTIST: Ewan MacColl
WORK: Alan Tyne O’Harrow
SOURCE: https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/alan-tyne-o-harrow
ARTIST: Martin Carthy
WORK: Newlyn Town
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7hDJI85uI
ARTIST: Roger McGuinn
WORK: Whiskey in the Jar
SOURCE: https://youtu.be/i8iAp0mTKjo?si=htJCj3YzGDz4UWso
ARTIST: Loreena McKennitt
WORK: The Highwayman
SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YGFo0xn4JeY
ARTIST: Ewan MacColl
WORK: The Crafty Farmer
SOURCE: https://youtu.be/GT_uXRERmsE?si=bNwLhDjFCXB9yuij
ARTIST: Magpie Lane
WORK: The Highwayman Outwitted
SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kXHL6omuz3c?si=pnX3AOzB6sbfoNZu
ARTIST: Jackie Oates
WORK: Robbers’ Retreat
SOURCE: https://youtu.be/ZzPA52DWzwM?si=ZkM3a4WDugEpC4yp
ARTIST: The Mousehole Male Voice Choir
WORK: The Cadgwith Anthem
SOURCE: https://youtu.be/yXFIUuWARB0?si=mgpBLQqoKOYtge7N
ARTIST: The Longest Johns
WORK: Cadgwith Anthem
SOURCE: https://youtu.be/UiBlnnN2PWU?si=78Mzy7npMptFomP1
ARTIST: Bounding Main
WORK: Cadgwith Anthem
