I am a researcher, writer, and editor. I am interested in researching traditional song, in English and Scots, from England, Scotland, Ireland and North America, and the performers of the songs and their repertoires.

 

I fell into the tradition by accident. Without any real knowledge or interest of or in the English tradition, or in any kind of traditional music, I heard a voice, and that voice changed my mind. ‘Botany Bay’, from the singing of Kate Rusby set my course, and sparked my musical, and later academic interest, and in some ways, set me on a way to becoming a writer. My interest piqued, I set about to study the music, which, within a short time, led me to the University of Sheffield, and a course less ordinary than you could hope to find.

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Studying for an MA in Folklore And Cultural Tradition, I started to discover what folklore, and traditional music is. I stress started, as, as anyone who has discovered either or both of these things will attest to, devotion to, and study of, any element of cultural tradition, can be a lifelong obsession. I will be the first to draw attention to my deficiencies as both a researcher and a writer, and the gaps in my knowledge of these songs are greater than the areas of my awareness.

 

Nonetheless, I am a folklorist and researcher into tradition, and I present my ideas and discussions for you here.

See more at https://substack.com/@gideonthomaswriting