Folk Files #2.8 - Stand and Deliver

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 SOURCE: https://youtu.be/KQbYYnoM3wM?si=UF20bLf7VaKn-lGD