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