Who Killed Cock Robin: British Folk Songs of Crime and Punishment

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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 Britains 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.

Reviews

"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"
"Who Killed Cock Robin is a book about the indigenous music of the British Isles. Even more specifically it concerns music pertaining to crime and punishment. . . . This book touches on art, history, and sociology, showing us the importance of popular music goes beyond entertainment per se. Whilst acknowledging that it has a niche appeal, it is something that hopefully should appeal to a broader market than the one it is ostensibly aimed at. In short, it is rather charming and deserves a wide audience."-- "Magonia Review of Books"
"And that's the book all over, pushing the reader (or singer, for they are songs, after all) to the edge of despair with one ballad, and then laughing their head off with another. And sometimes, both at once. Try reading the printed version of 'The Cruel Mother' while listening to the Clancy Brothers' live recording of the same song, 'Wella Wallia, ' and you'll understand. As for the rest of the book--yes, your average folk fiends will find a few favorites that didn't make it into these pages, but they'll come across a few that are new to them, as well. But really, you don't need to care a hoot for folk to get the most out of Who Killed Cock Robin The crime shelves on your bookcase have just been given a new cellmate."-- "Goldmine"
"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"

Author Bio

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.