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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9781789148589

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Reviews

"""'Sedley's historical-legal overview provides a robust summary of the legal mechanisms confronting (and entrapping) many of those who sang these songs as well as the songs' characters. The legal observations are often delightful. . . . Sedley is abetted by one of the justly best-loved figures of the folk revival scene, Martin Carthy. Carthy has always taken a thoughtful and serious-minded approach to traditional song. . . . The combination of these authors contributes greatly to the highly usable and charming collection of songs they have collated.""-- ""Folklore"" ""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 examples 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, author of ""Educating Rita"" and ""Blood Brothers"" ""Apart from selecting and securing a number of popular songs dealing with crime and punishment for posterity, the volume indirectly touches on current debates of criminology and penology by offering a historical perspective on often very harsh, severe, and arbitrary law enforcement. Yet it also touches on the interdependence of legal culture and the organization of society.""-- ""Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books"" ""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, folk singer, musician, songwriter, activist, and author of ""First Time Ever"" ""At the heart of the folk songs which have found a new popularity of late, rest the concerns of ordinary people who have found themselves entangled with the law. . . . They are grouped according to various categories of crime and punishment, from Poaching to The Gallows; and accompanied by illuminating commentaries."" -- ""Bookseller"" ""Sedley and Carthy argue that at the heart of traditional songs rest the concerns of ordinary people and that folk throughout the centuries have found themselves entangled with the law: abiding by it, breaking it, and being caught and punished by it. The songs in their anthology are drawn from manuscripts, broadsides, and oral tradition and are grouped by categories of crime and punishment--from poaching to the gallows. Each section contains a historical introduction and commentary that explores each song's origins.""-- ""Law and Social Inquiry"" ""This delightfully annotated and thoroughly researched collection is a must for anyone interested in the political and sociocultural roots of British folk music.""-- ""Library Journal"" ""What will be of real interest to our readers are the succinct, but always stimulating, commentaries on both the topic, and on the songs selected to illustrate the topic. . . . This book is highly recommended.""-- ""Commonwealth Judicial Journal"" ""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 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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