Songs about Highwaymen and an Exploration of “Cadgwith Anthem” (“Robbers’ Retreat”)
Introduction – Songs about Highwaymen
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.
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The term “Cadgwith Anthem” is a bit of a misnomer, as you’ll discover in this episode. I’ll discuss more of the mythologies and misconceptions behind this name in the blog post for this episode. Titled “Red Herrings in Candleford and Cornwall,” it explores the dead ends that I encountered in my research. To access the blog through a one-time donation, click here.
Credits
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
Steeleye Span
“Cadgwith Anthem”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBpPYA8ebY
Ewan MacColl
“Alan Tyne O’Harrow”
https://ewanmaccoll.bandcamp.com/track/alan-tyne-o-harrow
Martin Carthy
“Newlyn Town”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7hDJI85uI
Roger McGuinn
“Whiskey in the Jar”
https://youtu.be/i8iAp0mTKjo?si=htJCj3YzGDz4UWso
Loreena McKennitt
“The Highwayman”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YGFo0xn4JeY
Ewan MacColl
“The Crafty Farmer”
https://youtu.be/GT_uXRERmsE?si=bNwLhDjFCXB9yuij
Magpie Lane
“The Highwayman Outwitted”
https://youtu.be/kXHL6omuz3c?si=pnX3AOzB6sbfoNZu
Jackie Oates
“Robbers’ Retreat”
https://youtu.be/ZzPA52DWzwM?si=ZkM3a4WDugEpC4yp
The Mousehole Male Voice Choir
“The Cadgwith Anthem”
https://youtu.be/yXFIUuWARB0?si=mgpBLQqoKOYtge7N
The Longest Johns
“Cadgwith Anthem”
https://youtu.be/UiBlnnN2PWU?si=78Mzy7npMptFomP1
Bounding Main
“Cadgwith Anthem”
https://youtu.be/KQbYYnoM3wM?si=UF20bLf7VaKn-lGD