This episode of Folk Files discusses songs involving infanticide. “The Well Below the Valley” and “The Cruel Mother” stand at the center of this heartbreaking voyage through historical records, Scandinavian folklore, and murder ballads.

Host: Olivia Harding

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Special Thanks To: Aaron J. Morton

Note: Because it’s always true in folk songs, when I refer to pregnant people in general, I say “women”. However, the difficulties I discuss (postpartum maladies, access to medical care, etc.) affect people of all genders.

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Christy Moore

WORK: Well Below the Valley

SOURCE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylZGw7tfAHI

ARTIST: Polly Paulusma

WORK: The Maid and the Palmer

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUILSHtxYWI

ARTIST: Sähköpaimen

WORK: Mataleena på Källebro

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAk_knoRDdE

ARTIST: Brass Monkey

WORK: The Maid and the Palmer

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIeZ953yUc4

ARTIST: Hack-Poets Guild

WORK: Cruel Mother

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pzvqeBHsSg

ARTIST: Alasdair Roberts

WORK: The Cruel Mother

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIOANdvjRqY

ARTIST: Bryndís Sveinbjörnsdóttir

WORK: Móðir mín í kví, kví

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtKTkSMO5Us

ARTIST: Shirley Collins

WORK: The Cruel Mother

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3DuJrjwts

ARTIST: Ewan MacColl

WORK: Sheath and Knife

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=787wXkYcdHY

ARTIST: Nick Hart

WORK: Lucy Wan

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TihjH0G_0H0