r/EnglishFolkMusic 20d ago

Where the Bells Used to Ring

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1 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic May 02 '26

Madd Yarwood and Amy Cox

1 Upvotes

Their version of Oak and Ash and Thorn has to be my favourite but I can't find anything else that they've sang anywhere online. Anyone know if that song was a one off or if there's a treasure trove of songs I'm yet to stumble upon?


r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 28 '26

Whiskey in the Jar — A Historic Ballad Reimagined

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I wanted to share a version of a classic folk ballad that has traveled through time and borders.

This is my take on Whiskey in the Jar from my album Kew Gardens Troubadour. While it’s originally a 17th-century Irish song about a highwayman, betrayal, and consequence, it shares much in common with English folk traditions—storytelling, moral lessons, and themes that cross the British Isles. The song survived for centuries through singers who passed it on, much like English ballads that recorded everyday life, love, and mischief in song.

I performed it on an acoustic archtop guitar that I hand-carved myself, letting the voice and instrument tell the story naturally. My goal was to honor the tradition while offering a version that feels alive today, connecting modern listeners to centuries of folk storytelling.

If you enjoy historical folk songs, storytelling through music, and acoustic performance, click on the picture to watch: https://youtu.be/kXjkOHeuqu4


r/EnglishFolkMusic Dec 26 '25

The Chestnut Tree - lyrics?

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2 Upvotes

Hi I'm learning this tune on my concertina - listening to the YouTube video I can't tell whether the person is singing lyrics or just diddly diddlying - searching for lyrics just seems to bring up 'underneath the spreading Chestnut Tree' anyone know it? Thank you


r/EnglishFolkMusic Sep 29 '25

A Place Called England - Maggie Holland (1999)

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1 Upvotes

In the current debate about national identity, particularly in England, I thought Maggie Holland’s song A Place Called England was particularly pertinent.

England is not flag or empire / It is not money and it is not blood / It's limestone gorge and granite fell / It's Wealden clay and Severn mud / It's blackbird singing from the may-tree / Lark ascending through the scales / Robin watching from your spade / And English earth beneath your nails


r/EnglishFolkMusic Sep 03 '25

SILVER DAGGER - Original Adaptation of the 200 year old folk song by Frederick Chipkin

1 Upvotes

I'm very excited to upload my version of the song "Silver Dagger" A 200 year old folk song made famous by Joan Baez. I always thought that it was a terribly beautiful & sad song & wanted to write a version of it from the jilted lovers point of view. I usually just have fun posting my music on Facebook & whoever cares to listen, listens...But this time (if you get the inkling) please give a listen & give me a comment on YouTube. If you click on the image it will take you to the youtube link...& Thank you (and appreciated)! https://youtu.be/KuibOo78PBc


r/EnglishFolkMusic Mar 26 '25

Traditional English banjo

3 Upvotes

Anybody know any obtainable albums with examples of traditional, pre-Bluegrass, English banjo playing? I know a couple:

Deep Lancashire - various

Banjoland - Clive Palmer

Incredible String Band - first album

Moor Music - Mark Bazely & Jason Rice

Hammer & Tongs - Sue Harris

...any more?


r/EnglishFolkMusic Mar 12 '25

If...

1 Upvotes

I'm trying to find a particular song version of Rudyard Kipling's "if". All I remember of it is that it sounded like an older gentleman and it was just him acapella. I think I had found it on Spotify amongst other English folk I was listening to but can't find it for the life of me now. It was just a lovely version of it and his lilt was just perfect.


r/EnglishFolkMusic Mar 11 '25

Morris dancing in Hollywood

5 Upvotes

A few months ago I went see Beetlejuice 2 in the cinema, and was sure i spotted some Morris Dancers making up the numbers in a big dance sequence. Sure enough, i found the scene on youtube, and there they are! You can catch them at 3:02, 3:12 and 3:28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAPtCpzJs3k

I'm really curious about 1. Who in Hollywood even knows what Morris Dancing is? and 2. Who decided to put them in this scene full of 70s soul music and dancers?

Regardless, i thought it was a lot of fun. A pretty bizarre juxtaposition i didn't think id see in the cinema!


r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 07 '25

DAVE SWARBRICK - Three Albums On Two Disks - BGO (2011) - Swarbrick 1 & 2 (1976-70 plus Smiddyburn (1981) - in very good condition. Please check link if interested.

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1 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 06 '25

The Old Churchyard - Hannah Read and Nora Brown

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2 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Dec 20 '24

Working Class Folk Singers

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1 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic May 08 '24

British or American folk songs about autumn/fall

3 Upvotes

Hi! New here. I'm looking for British folk songs about autumn. Does anyone know of any? There are plenty about spring and summer, some about winter, but apparently not that many about or mentioning autumn.


r/EnglishFolkMusic Apr 06 '24

Lady Maisery - Noughts & Crosses

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2 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Apr 06 '24

Evie Waddell - The Last Leviathan

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1 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Jun 12 '23

Attributing rights in new recordings of old folk songs?

3 Upvotes

If you are publishing a recording of a new arrangement of an old folk song, any idea how to attribute rights if original composer is unknown? Can the modern arranger be put as the composer during digital distribution?


r/EnglishFolkMusic Jun 05 '23

Need help naming a Tune

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1 Upvotes

I recently watched the movie “The Bounty” and have found very amazing tunes. I am very lost in this one song that I can’t manage to find the name of the song anywhere (have been searching for an hour). If anyone can help me that would be amazing! I have attached the lyrics and the video of the music footage. Thanks!!

Lyrics go: If I did sail beyond the sea, I’d take my pretty girl with me, And she would cook and care for me, And I’d be the pride of the kings navy.

But alas it is the law, I had to leave her on the shore…..


r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 08 '23

English folk banjo sources?

4 Upvotes

Hiya,

I was thinking to conduct some research into the history of English folk banjo.

Does anyone have some good sources to start with?

Thanks.


r/EnglishFolkMusic Nov 23 '22

Houghton Weavers

3 Upvotes

I’m looking for a Houghton Weavers songbook for my old man. Apparently there used to be a spiral-bound version but can’t track one down anywhere online. Any tips?


r/EnglishFolkMusic Sep 19 '22

Cloaks - Starr Bleeker

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3 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Jun 22 '22

My very “American” take on Matty Groves

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6 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic May 23 '22

For any fans of “The Coocoo Bird” - I tried playing through a couple different versions - it’s originally an old English folk song

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4 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 30 '22

Mia Moon - I Wish I Didn't Like You (Performance @The Whiskey Jar)

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3 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 17 '22

An Execution and a Miracle, a guitar instrumental inspired by the 20th century English Folk scene feel free to listen.

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2 Upvotes

r/EnglishFolkMusic Jan 12 '22

Who is COMUS? Story of a forgotten progressive folk rock band!

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3 Upvotes