Introduction – Are These “Irish Songs” Really Irish? In this St. Patrick’s Day episode, I ask the question: “Is it actually Irish?” We will explore over thirty “Irish songs” and see if they actually come from Irish sources. Along the way, we’ll discuss the Rising of 1798, the history of Dublin, the Great Famine, and … Read More
Introduction – The MTA Song and its Origins This episode primarily deals with “The MTA Song,” also known as “Charlie on the MTA.” It describes the story of a man who rides the Boston subway system forever because he can’t afford the exit fare. The song is one of the latest variants of a song … Read More
Robert Burns, his legacy, and his contributions to Scottish folk music Introduction – Robert Burns and Burns Night Suppers Welcome to the third season of Folk Files! We are starting off the year with a Scottish Bard-themed episode to celebrate Burns Night on January 25th. Learn about the traditions associated with the Burns Night Supper … Read More