Long Lankin - Episode #2.10 - Beware the Moss

Long Lankin, the bogeyman of the Child Ballads

Long Lankin episode image for Folk Files #2.10 - Beware the Moss

Introduction – The History of Long Lankin

Long Lankin is the bogeyman of the Child Ballads. A mysterious figure who lives in the moss (or the gorse, or the hay), he is known as a bloodthirsty murderer. But what’s the full story? The story has a lot more context in Scotland, where Long Lankin was given a reason for his murderous rage. South of the border, his backstory is erased and his story becomes a ghost story. Explore the horror in this Halloween episode of Folk Files.

Note: Long Lankin goes by many names, including “Lamkin.” Listen to my interview with Ruth Perry for a fascinating theory as to how this ballad got from Scotland to Appalachia.

There are other “monsters” in the Child Ballads, and curiously, most of them are female. I write about them in this episode’s Patreon blog post. Included in the exploration are Alison Gross, the giantess in “King Henry,” and the Queen of Faerie. To access the blog through a one-time donation, click here.

To listen to the full episode, head to the audio player on the homepage or find your preferred podcast platform on the About page!

Host: Olivia Harding
Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast