My journey into the world of folk music began as a naive enthusiast, untrained yet eager to learn. This passion led me across the British Isles, embarking on a quest to find the last guardians of oral song and story. Despite prevailing academic opinions suggesting that traditional ways were long gone and the old singers with their folk songs were lost to time, my youthful determination propelled me towards Gypsy Traveller communities, seeking out the elders within.
What I found defied expectations. Among Irish and Scots Travellers and English Gypsies, I discovered a wealth of tradition: countless individuals who still carried the memories of older times, adhered to ancient customs, and, crucially, remembered songs and stories passed down through generations. Alongside my SCC team, we documented thousands of hours of singing, narratives, personal histories, linguistic nuances, and traditional knowledge from people of extraordinary kindness and generosity.
My aim in collecting these songs was twofold. Firstly, I wanted to ensure that this rich cultural heritage, largely overlooked by the wider world, was preserved before it faded away. Secondly, as a singer myself, I sought the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in these ancient traditions. This immersion allowed me to enrich my own artistic practice, becoming a conduit for these songs, maintaining the integrity of their origins while also carrying them forward into the contemporary era.
To the individuals I encountered, for their time and the songs they shared, I am eternally grateful. My life’s path is now dedicated to nurturing and perpetuating this tradition, finding ways to amplify its voice and ensure its continuation.
