Show Notes
This episode of Folk Files looks at a family of songs where the main character "dies for love." In particular, I explore "The Butcher Boy," a song with American, Irish, and English versions. The versions vary drastically: they swap out characters, drop details, and change the reasoning behind the narrator's decisions. I investigate what effect these changes have on the listener and what lessons we can draw from those effects. Host: Olivia Harding Check out more from Pollyanna: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Rgyvnw9WrAm20MhlS2kyp?si=irIKZtNOTFaZWDOt9mh0cA Special thanks to: Aaron J. Morton 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: Alisa Marie WORK: O'Carolan's Cup SOURCE: https://youtu.be/zrBwqFco0Xs?si=-SdsYnEWGiD5SnFO
ARTIST: Sarah Makem WORK: The Butcher Boy SOURCE: https://youtu.be/x_mtUaBHWCE?si=tBXVy9ELCV9dECgh
ARTIST: Derek and Hazel Sarjeant WORK: A Sailor Coming Home on Leave SOURCE: https://youtu.be/e91Ug-CAjAc?si=sMcd-NpQC-FQmNSL
ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Johnny Jump Up SOURCE: https://www.musicthegathering.com/store/lvl-3-digital-album-esexe
ARTIST: Frank Profitt WORK: Morning Fair SOURCE: https://youtu.be/wdyO1890Zpc?si=1esdsYhrRNWTg7zD
ARTIST: Sam Lee WORK: Over Yonders Hill SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2jcdbFRRYc
ARTIST: The Kings of Calicutt WORK: Sheffield Park SOURCE: https://youtu.be/o1lDKhJd6Pw?si=XWyn9hQQ3ImN2PRq
ARTIST: Bellowhead WORK: Cold Blows the Wind SOURCE: https://youtu.be/WvuxL8UQiLQ?si=Sdr7Zz7yUVEXi7zg
ARTIST: Jean Ritchie WORK: Go Dig My Grave SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGrcOqcbzYk
ARTIST: The Clancy Brothers WORK: The Butcher Boy SOURCE: https://youtu.be/WMc8QSxZe_M?si=PIv8GZyRL_1vkSRD
ARTIST: Buell Kazee WORK: Butcher's Boy SOURCE: https://youtu.be/lwSJoMNRGuI?si=fehdH-zflcTkTbY2
ARTIST: Pollyanna WORK: Railroad Boy SOURCE: https://pollyanna.bandcamp.com/album/man-time-deluxe-edition
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