Folk Files #2.8 - Stand and Deliver

About this episode

This episode explores the prevalence of English folk songs about outlaws and examines the unique case of the song Robbers' Retreat.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Olivia Harding

Topics covered

• English folk songs
• outlaws
• criminals
• ballads
• music history

Keywords

• folk songs
• outlaws
• English music
• ballads
• Robbers' Retreat

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Folk Files, Steeleye Span, Ewan MacColl, Martin Carthy, Roger McGuinn, Loreena McKennitt, Magpie Lane, Jackie Oates, The Mousehole Male Voice Choir

Books & works: Cadgwith Anthem, Alan Tyne O'Harrow, Newlyn Town, Whiskey in the Jar, The Highwayman, The Crafty Farmer, The Highwayman Outwitted, Robbers' Retreat, The Cadgwith Anthem

More episodes of Folk Files

• Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters · April 24, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar · March 16, 2026 · 41 min
• Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned · February 19, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis · January 20, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla · December 18, 2025 · 25 min
• Bonus Episode: The Ballad World of Anna Gordon · December 5, 2025 · 46 min