We've got our tickets for Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2026 and I'm excited already! #shrewsbury #folk

This is extremely good youtu.be/nbVUiPcFUMA?...

I'm currently researching a beautiful Irish song with a seemingly short history. But possibly it's based on a lost Scottish song. Any guesses?

When you're reading Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower, and then you look at the news and and go Ohh

As I Roved Out (The Deluded Lover) - beautiful song! Tenuously related to the Troubadours' Pastourelles but with less wit and much more sad. Possibly Scottish in origin but I can't prove it. Such an enigma!

Is there anyone who knows the folk music degree at Newcastle? I know a thoroughly folky 21 year old who has 3 A levels but not in music. Experienced singer and songwriter, decent guitarist, great trad repertoire. Very keen to apply but not sure that they would qualify for an offer.

My holiday project is to create an English version of the Norwegian epic ballad Draumkvedet - one that is singable with the traditional tunes.

I'm taking part in some French folklore this week, with the festival of St Vincent in Collioure

Lovely Cara Dillon gig at @downendfolkroots.bsky.social last night @caradillonsings.bsky.social

Heard a rumor that Huw Williams had released some of his old albums on streaming services - and it's true. I've been waiting for years for this fabulous day!

The Handed Down podcast isn't *just* me being snarky about characters in folk songs and their poor choices, but that's definitely a feature in our latest episode... www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

George Collins, one of my favourite weird old ballads youtu.be/F157MYfZNrk?...

Just posting this because it's glorious and heartbreaking. Brigid Tunney sings As I Roved Out youtu.be/YOlZhqrVrQU?...

Fancy a bit of humourous escapism? Our new episode tells the story behind George Collins, a tale of beautiful fairy folk and hapless young men. Enjoy! www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

Brand new episode! George Collins www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

It must be Spring!

We're getting a record player tomorrow and have about 80 records from my parents' collection - the sound of my childhood! But which to play first?

We had a very nice time talking to Handed Down Podcast about all things weird and wassail-related, and just what we're trying to do with our music...

NEW EPISODE: I'm with the Lunatraktors looking back on the wassail season, going to some deep places and exploring the dark and the light in these challenging times. You won't want to miss this episode! www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

New year, new cover art. Thank you @karlsinfield.bsky.social for the fab new design!

The subtitle of an upcoming episode is "Don't go kissing watery tarts". But what is the song...?

The moment yesterday when the Mari Lwyds stormed Chepstow Castle gates #wassail #marilwyd #chepstow

The English getting ready to meet the Welsh on the old bridge

Here come the Maris!

Waiting for the Mari Lwyds to storm Chepstow Vastle

Chepstow Wassail kicking off in great style

Thanks for this endorsement, a great honour given the quality of In The Roud. Folk fans, if you've not done so already do yourself a big favour and listen to their back catalogue!

The Cutty Wren, a curious song linked to an even more curious custom www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

The wren, the wren, the king of birds, St Stephen's day was caught in the furze! www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

There may be a podcast special out tomorrow, what could it be I wonder?

An excellent opportunity here for a folklorist: a fully-funded PhD studentship on 'Classification, representation and marginalisation in “English” folk music and dance' by @UCL and @TheEFDSS www.efdss.org/about-us/wha...

The beginning of Christmas: singing in the Nine Lessons and Carols in the historic Tidenham Church. With an elevated view over the River Severn and a green lane behind, it's the most wonderful place to start the festivities.

This festive episode from 2021 brings you the lovely Christ Child Lullaby. With it's origins in the Hebrides, we have the full translation of the original words and a sumptuous arrangement in English www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

This is a pretty love song with a surprising back story. Prepare for colourful characters, duels, politics, harp history and showbiz in this brand new episode www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

NEW EPISODE CLAXON! It's taken a while but here's a brand new episode about an old favourite of mine www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

New episode coming tomorrow all being well!

If you're feeling festive you might like this episode all about the Wexford Carol. A festive accompaniment to decorating the tree, maybe? Pairs well with mulled wine. www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

The Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow, as you've never heard it before, unless you're a Judy Garland fan that is. It's from the film Little Nellie Kelly and while it's not folk, it is quite remarkable! youtu.be/JR0ESUIpmpw?...

Everyday folklore. I retrieved this plate from teenager's bedroom. Clearly I taught her well, the witches will not be able to sail these boats. Just as my mam and gran taught me.

This is our most popular episode and also was my favourite to make. A beloved song that challenges our definition of folk song and that in some ways represents a nation's struggle www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

Ok, so... Selkie, but with subtle Hull accent and dialect, since that's where I grew up, also its history of North Sea fishing. Thoughts?

Chepstow Wassail and Mari Lwyd. Come and help us celebrate this fantastic tradition. 18th January 2025 1230 - 1750.

Come all ye rolling folkies And together we will try To rouse the spirit of the earth And take over Bluesky ☺️ Folk music, morris etc packs go.bsky.app/23XjRfr go.bsky.app/D5A8kE4 go.bsky.app/LXSZqSM go.bsky.app/4kbJ42R go.bsky.app/NtGXNqs go.bsky.app/S2TxHxH go.bsky.app/EXonkgg go.bsky.app/7J37iGB

Alternatively, if you want a challenge, why not use the Trad Song Bingo card to WRITE your own song for the next singaround? :D

Going to a gig or sing around this weekend? Why not spice it up with Trad Song Bingo? It's free, fun and very silly. www.natstand.org.uk/bingo/index....

I'm listening to Henry Parker this morning. If you've not heard him I strongly recommend you find his Lammas Fair album right away! I was lucky enough to interview him in 2021, here's what he had to say www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

I think I have a scoop on the origin story of the song The Banks of the Sweet Primroses. You can hear it, along with my snarky feminist take on the plot, in this episode www.buzzsprout.com/1832070/epis...

The most recent non-Christmassy episode was about that most gothy of song, The Lyke Wake Dirge. Prepare for gratuitous drama and medieval mirth. handeddown.buzzsprout.com/1832070/1403...