Ranked #1
12 - The Elfin Knight
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 ma... Read more
25 May 2019
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1hr 17mins
Ranked #2
10 - Lord Randall
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 firs... Read more
9 Jan 2014
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41mins
Ranked #3
8 - The Twa Sisters
8 - The Twa Sisters
Roud 8, "the Twa Sisters" or "the Two Sisters" or 30 different other titles. This ballad, first published in 1656, has i... Read more
28 Nov 2013
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36mins
Ranked #4
3 - The Sprig of Thyme
3 - The Sprig of Thyme
This episode focuses on Roud 3, "The Sprig of Thyme." Originally collected by Cecil Sharpe as "Seeds of Love" in 1903. M... Read more
18 Sep 2013
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27mins
Ranked #5
7 - The Female Highwayman
7 - The Female Highwayman
Roud 7, "The Female Highwayman" or "Sovay." This somewhat ridiculous ballad comes from the English countryside somewhere... Read more
15 Nov 2013
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25mins
Ranked #6
5 - The Three Ravens
5 - The Three Ravens
Roud 5, "The Three Ravens." An old English ballad thought to date back to the 13th century, this bleak, BLEAK song was f... Read more
16 Oct 2013
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30mins
Ranked #7
9 - The Cruel Mother
9 - The Cruel Mother
Roud 9, "The Cruel Mother." A product of the society and moral/political climate it formed in, this 400ish-year-old son... Read more
25 Dec 2013
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47mins
Ranked #8
11 - The Baffled Knight
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 olde... Read more
2 Apr 2018
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57mins
Ranked #9
4 - Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor
4 - Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor
This episode focuses on Roud 4, "Lord Thomas and Fair Eleanor." (alt. Ellenor, Elendor, Ellinor, Elinor) The lyrics to t... Read more
2 Oct 2013
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37mins
Ranked #10
6 - Long Lankin
6 - Long Lankin
Roud 6, "Long Lankin." This horrifying and dark folk song comes from the Northern UK, dating back to at least the 15th c... Read more
30 Oct 2013
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37mins