We’re back with Martin Green to chat through your fantastic takes of Lyke Wake Dirge, an ancient funeral poem detailing a soul's journey through purgatory into the beyond. If you haven’t already, definitely go and check out part one of this episode where we introduce the song. Listen: Part 1 of Lyke Wake Dirge Also, check out Martin on tour with La…

This episode we're joined by Martin Green who is challenging you to reimagine Lyke Wake Dirge, an ancient funeral chant about the soul’s journey through purgatory. Martin is a multi-award winning musician and composer who has collaborated with many artists and musicians including the likes of Eliza Carthy, Joan Baez, Anais Mitchell and Aidan Moffat…

We’re joined once again by Olugbenga Adelekan to listen through your incredible takes of Iwe Kiko, a traditional Yoruba children’s song about remembering tradition in a modernised world. If you haven't already, we really recommend you go and listen to part one where Olugbenga introduces the tune to us. Listen: Part 1 of Iwe Kiko Also, check out Olu…

This episode we're joined by Olugbenga Adelekan who is asking you to reimagine Iwe Kiko, a traditional Yoruba song about agriculture and remembering tradition in an increasingly urbanised world. Olugbenga is a Brighton based DJ, producer and musician, perhaps best known as the bassist in Metronomy and a one half of 'sleek, sci-fi influenced pop' du…

Debbie is back again as we listen through your brilliant takes of Child Owlet, a harrowing tale of a hapless lad’s grisly execution at the hands of the jaded Lady Erskine and Lord Ronald. If you haven't already, we recommend you go and listen to part one where Debbie introduces the tune to us. Listen: Part 1 of Child Owlet /// YOUR TAKES /// Listen…

This episode we're joined by Debbie Armour who is asking you to reimagine the dark tale of Child Owlet, with themes of incest, cuckoldry and grisly execution. Debbie is a Glasgow based musician, working primarily with traditional song. Broadly, her work is motivated by ideas of persistence, resonance and deep cultural roots. In her primary project,…

Stewart Lee joins us again to listen through your takes of Willie O' Winsbury. This story sees a king return from prison to find his daughter pregnant and after throwing a bit of a wobble, unexpectedly takes something of a shine to her dashing suitor. If you haven't already, we recommend you go and listen to part one where Stewart introduces the tu…

This episode we're joined by the comedian Stewart Lee who is asking you to reimagine Willie of Winsbury, an odd tale of illicit love, a pansexual ghost, and denunciation of property rights. Stewart unpicks some of the rich symbolism at the heart of this beguiling popular folk song and we explore how one man’s accident in the mid-20th century may (o…

We’re back with Anna Roberts-Gevalt to listen through your takes. Anna set us the challenge of interpreting The Wife of Usher’s Well, a ghostly story of a mother’s grief as she’s visited by her three departed sons. If you haven’t already, we recommend you listen to part 1 where she introduces the tune and the major themes. Listen: Part 1 of The Wif…

We’re kicking off the second series with the brilliant Anna RG who’s introducing us to The Wife of Usher’s Well, a ghostly story of a grieving mother visited by her 3 deceased children. Conversation touches on unexpectedly diverse topics such as the life of the British immigrant in America and the often overlooked patchwork of traditions which make…

In our final episode of the first series, we look at Young William otherwise known as 'Kiss me in the Dark'. Perhaps the most challenging song of the series, listeners be warned that this episode has some uncomfortable subject matter concerning sexual assault and humiliation. Still, our contributors have taken the dive and come up with some amazing…

/// BONUS EPISODE /// We had such a great chat with Jon we had to share the full version with you! Jon goes in depth on tales of eccentric song collectors, the intercontinental history of 'Geordie', and why books of folk songs may have more in common with Youtube playlists than you think... Make sure to check out Jon's show The Old Songs Podcast he…

We pick up the conversation about Geordie with writer, musician and self-confessed traditional music geek Jon Wilks. Then we discuss our takes on this desperate tale of one woman's quest to save her husband from the gallows. We then discuss the brilliant submissions from listeners (check out the playlist of all versions below!) and introduce next m…

We discuss our takes on The Brisk Lad, a bleak character portrait of a man driven to sheep-stealing in order to feed his family. We then discuss the brilliant submissions from listeners (check out the playlist of all versions below!) and introduce next month's tune, Geordie, a ballad about a woman's fight for her husband's freedom. Hosted by Tim Wo…

We discuss our takes on Edward, a chilling account of a son confessing murder to his mother before fleeing on a bottomless boat. We then discuss the brilliant submissions from listeners (check out the playlist of all versions below!) and introduce next month's tune, The Brisk Lad, a gnarly tale of stealing sheep under moonlight. // TIMESTAMPS // In…

We discuss our takes on The Bitter Withy, a mysterious 14th century tune from Hereford where young Jesus gets lashed by his mother for murdering a couple of posh lads. We then discuss the brilliant submissions from the community and introduce next month's tune, Edward, a beautifully simple tale of fratricide and a study in the economy of storytelli…

We discuss our approaches to interpreting the Cruel Mother, a dark and somewhat problematic song with themes of infanticide and ghostly apparitions, as well as incredible submissions from the Old Tunes Fresh Takes community: listen to the full playlist of submissions here. We also introduce the next episode's tune, the Bitter Withy - a 14th Century…

Episode 1 coming 20/4 If you want to take part, please check out our Facebook and Twitter pages below. A pack of resources to help get you started can be found here: bit.ly/39GAnfE Can't wait to hear from you! facebook.com/oldtunesfreshtakes twitter.com/oldtunesfreshtakes https://oldtunesfreshtakes.com…