Overview

At the heart of traditional song rest the concerns of ordinary people. And folk throughout the centuries have found themselves entangled with the law: abiding by it, breaking it, and being caught and punished by it. Who Killed Cock Robin? is an anthology of just such songs compiled by one of Britain's senior judges, Stephen Sedley, and most respected and best-loved folk singers, Martin Carthy. The songs collected here are drawn from manuscripts, broadsides, old songbooks and oral tradition. They are grouped according to the various categories of crime and punishment, from Poaching to The Gallows. Each section contains a historical introduction, and every song is presented with a melody, its lyrics and an illuminating commentary that explores its origins and sources. Together, they present a unique, sometimes comic, often tragic, and always colourful insight into the past, while preserving an important body of song for future generations. 'Who Killed Cock Robin? explores the origins and history of ancient ballads dealing with the wilder sides of life...There are some constants - such as murder, theft, and prison - between the ancient and the modern songs, but Who Killed Cock Robin? deals with other issues, including the gallows, piracy, poaching, and incest, that are less likely to appear today, when drug smuggling and bank robbery feature regularly.' Duncan Campbell, Observer 'On the face of it, Sedley and Carthy are an unlikely pair of literary collaborators. But together they have written an unusual book which combines deftly their respective areas of expertise. Who Killed Cock Robin? is an examination of how the themes of crime and punishment were treated in traditional folk music in Britain...In this book, they illuminate the unique nature of folk music itself...What Sedley and Carthy have produced is not just a musical compendium. It is a bridge to our past.' Prospect Magazine

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9781789145038

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Reviews

'At last, a simple, reader-friendly book on the cause-effect relationship between the CRIMES of the UPPER classes (documented in court and prison records, history books, the lives lost via law, scaffolds, transportation, et al) and the ‘crimes’ of the ‘lower’ classes (as documented in folk songs and ballads). The savagery of our toxic system of governance, the endless, pitiless theft of the property and rights of the public are kept in the public memory in the only unassailable form: the oral tradition. A trustworthy, authoritative, edifying and highly enjoyable read. Put it into school curricula.-Peggy Seeger, songwriter, performer and activist, author of First Time Ever 'A rich and rewarding journey through the law – and lore – of song and balladry. With such outstanding authors/compilers it’s no surprise whatsoever but their understanding, respect and regard for their source material mean that expertise and scholarship never swamp but only enhance and enlighten the reading experience. As well as opening my eyes to some previously unknown example of legal chicanery or barely believable repressive legislation and practice, every page made me want to sing these songs and ballads of the wronged and the ruthless, the cruel and cunning and the good, the bad - and the lovely. What a great delight of a book.-Willy Russell, playwright and composer, author of Educating Rita and Blood Brothers

'At last, a simple, reader-friendly book on the cause-effect relationship between the CRIMES of the UPPER classes (documented in court and prison records, history books, the lives lost via law, scaffolds, transportation, et al) and the 'crimes' of the 'lower' classes (as documented in folk songs and ballads). The savagery of our toxic system of governance, the endless, pitiless theft of the property and rights of the public are kept in the public memory in the only unassailable form: the oral tradition. A trustworthy, authoritative, edifying and highly enjoyable read. Put it into school curricula.-Peggy Seeger, songwriter, performer and activist, author of First Time Ever 'A rich and rewarding journey through the law - and lore - of song and balladry. With such outstanding authors/compilers it's no surprise whatsoever but their understanding, respect and regard for their source material mean that expertise and scholarship never swamp but only enhance and enlighten the reading experience. As well as opening my eyes to some previously unknown example of legal chicanery or barely believable repressive legislation and practice, every page made me want to sing these songs and ballads of the wronged and the ruthless, the cruel and cunning and the good, the bad - and the lovely. What a great delight of a book.-Willy Russell, playwright and composer, author of Educating Rita and Blood Brothers

Author Information

Stephen Sedley was appointed a High Court Judge in 1992 and an Appeal Court Judge in 1999, and on retiring from the Bench in 2011, Visiting Professor of Law at the University of Oxford. Martin Carthy MBE is a singer and guitarist and one of Britain's most highly regarded folk musicians. In 2014 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

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