English folk songs...

But that is what they are about and what makes (or made) them popular. The things which most interest people, to wit, social status, celebrity, love (particularly when betrayed or unrequited), sex, war. The soap operas of yore!

I doubt they all contain at least one of the key words. I might try to find one that does not - it could take some time.

Hey, got two already. "Van Dieman's Land" and "Fine Flowers in the Valley" both from Barbara Dickson's Parcel of Rogues CD.

Two mining songs:

Byker Hill
Rapper t'bank

Two more:

"Warlike Lads of Russia"

"Tarmouth Town"

enough already.

There was an old man lived over the hill
If he ain't moved on he's a livin' there still
Well the devil came up to him one day
Said, one of your family I'm gonna take away
Oh, please don't take my eldest son
There's work on the farm that's got to be done
All I want's that wife of yours
Well, you can take her with all of my heart
Well, he picks up the wife upon his back
And off to hell he goes clickety clack
He carries her on about a mile down the road
He said old woman you're a devil of a load
He carries her on down to the gates of Hell
He says poke up the fire we'll scorch her well
There were two little devils with a ball and chain
She ups with her foot and kicks out their brains
Nine little devils went climbin' up the walls
Sayin' take her back Daddy she'll murder us all
Got up the next mornin' and spied thru the crack
I seen the old devil come a draggin' her back
He said here's your wife both sound and well
If I kept her any longer she'd a tore up hell
He said I been a devil most all my life
But I never been in hell till I met your wife
This show's that women are better than the men
They can go down to hell and come back again

This English folk song doesn't have all the key words in it

quote:

Originally posted by Tarquin Maynard-Portly:
I like Steeleye Span. Some surprisingly good toons.

Agreed, also Capercaillie and Isla St Clair.
Chris N