Songs of trickery and outwitting from The Folk Handbook. These links will bring up MIDI files of the tunes, which should play automatically in your browser. If not you may need to download a QuickTime or Windows Media Player plug-in.
- The Baffled Knight
This version was collected by Cecil Sharp from John Dingle at Coryton, in Devon, on September 12th, 1905, as ‘New Mown Hay’.
- Bonny Kate
Collected by George Gardiner from William Burgess at Titchfield, Hampshire, in September 1907. The music was taken down by J.T. Guyer.
- The Broomfield Wager
As sung by Gordon Hall. NB: the music in the book is wrong. The correct music is available as a pdf here.
- The Farmer's Curst Wife
Collected by Henry Hammond from Sam Dawe at Beaminster, in Dorset, in June 1906. The song is recorded as ‘Devil And Farmer (Curst Wife)’.
- The Gypsy Lass
Collected by Cecil Sharp from William Nott (right) at Meshaw, in Devon, on January 9th, 1904. NB: the music in the book is incomplete. The correct notation is available as a pdf here.
- The Highwayman Outwitted
Collected by George Gardiner from Daniel Newman (aged 65) at Axford, in Hampshire, in September 1907. The tune was noted by Charles Gamblin.
- Marrow Bones
Collected by Cecil Sharp from Mr Warren, at Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset, on August 23rd, 1905. The song is recorded as ‘There Was An Old Woman’ or ‘The Rich Old Lady’.
- The Outlandish Knight
As sung by Vic Legg.
- The Oyster Girl
Collected by Cecil Sharp from Alfred Willy at Hambridge, Somerset, on January 6th, 1904.
- The Poor Old Couple
As sung by Manny Aldous, who called it ‘“ Cleverly Done,” Said He’.
- Scarborough Fair
This version was collected by W. Gilbert, possibly in Cornwall, and passed to Cecil Sharp. The title is recorded as ‘The Lover’s Tasks’.
