May 2026 - Women In Folk

Episode 12 is a celebration of the contribution of women musicians and singers to the folk music world.

Featured artists in this edition are KATHERINE TICKELL AND THE DARKENING, CHARLOTTE CAMPBELL, CLARE SANDS, DARK AND TWISTIES, RITA CONNOLLY, LADY MAISERY, EDWINA HAYES, EMILY MAGUIRE, ENYA, KATE RUSBY, MAGGIE DUFFY, MAGGIE HOLLAND, SANDY DENNY, SHARON SHANNON, MOYA BRENNAN and DOLORES KEANE

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:32

Listening to roots and branches with Jim Fox and playing all things broken roots, including the branches.

SPEAKER_01 4:37

Where's Catherine Tikel in the darkening with Quilly's Real? There'll be more from Catherine later on in the show. Charlotte Campbell is a fine singer-songwriter based in London. When she isn't playing sold-out shows around London or touring Europe, you will often find her beneath the London Eye on the South Bank where her musical career began. Here she is singing her own song The Streets of London.

SPEAKER_03 5:05

Making waves today, huh? Making waves. Telling stories about yesterday. Getting by today, just getting by. Telling stories by the with a sigh. But I don't need your coins, no, I just need your ear. So won't you join me while we're standing here? There's music on the streets of London. There's music in my heart. There's music on the streets of London. That's where we are, that's where we are. Making memories on making plans. Where I stand. Making history, I'm making new oo. I'll make the best of things and hope that soon. I won't need your coins too. I'll just need your ear. So won't you join me while we're standing here? There's music on the streets of London. There's music in my heart. There's music on the streets of London. That's where we are, that's where we are. Yeah, I get lonely. Yeah, I get tired, I'll so it's higher, but I'll never sound square. There's music on the streets of London. There's music in my heart. There's music on the streets of London. That's where we are. There's music on the streets of London. There's music in my heart. There's music on the streets of London. That's where we are, that's where we are.

SPEAKER_01 7:42

Claire Sands is a sixth-generation fiddle player and bilingual singer from Cork, Ireland. Drawing deeply from the music of her ancestors, she weaves traditional Irish roots with contemporary sounds and influences. This is Claire Sands with the Friday.

SPEAKER_06 8:14

You must say But my words remain. This is why we sing, this is why we sing, this is why we sing. It to the children for whom the Red Sea does not hurt. But my rhythm remains. This is why we dance, this is why we dance, this is why we dance. This is why we dance, this is why we dance, this is why we dance. They try to bury us, they know we worship. They try to bury us, they know we worship. And spiritual meets, this is why we live, this is why we breathe. We love They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeds. They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seats. They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeds. They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seats. They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeds. They tried to bury us, did no we were seeking They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeking They tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeking to bury us, didn't know we were seats, they tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeds, they tried to bury us, didn't know we were seeds, they tried to bury us, didn't know we were seen, didn't know we were sea. Not no sunny bed.

SPEAKER_01 12:11

And they tried to bury it. South Wales Man Dark and Twisted burst onto the folk scene earlier this year with their album Ungrateful Women. This is a track from that album called This Time.

SPEAKER_06 14:08

Says you can do this. All you can try is to try It's just mine, it sits on the edge, no time.

SPEAKER_01 18:02

When I first heard the song cycle Gronwale, written by Irish composer Sean Davy, I fell in love with his next song. The album is based on the life and times of the 16th century Irish pirate queen, Ronnie O'Malley, who was also known as Gronwale. This is Rita Connolly, who also happens to be uh Sean Davies' wife. Here she is singing Ripples in the Rock Pool.

SPEAKER_06 18:30

Ripples in the water of the Rockpool Sun, Ripples in the water of the Rockpool Sun, Ripples in the water of the Rockpool Sun, and the boats are in for winter. Don Alan Coggy, will you marry me? Donald Coggy, will you marry me? Donald Coggy, will you marry me? Will I carry your three children?

SPEAKER_04 18:51

Ripples in the rock pools, ripples in the sea, ripples in the sand dunes, rolling into Connemara, Ripples in the Rockpools, Ripples in the Sea, Ripples in the Sandun, throating into Connemara. Donalong Kogi, will you sail with me? Donalong Kogie, will you sail with me? Donalong Kogie, will you sail with me?

SPEAKER_06 19:13

From here to Farkarunga. I can feel the tide falling in the rain. I can feel the tide falling in the rain. I can feel the tide falling in the rain. But the wind is surely rising.

SPEAKER_04 19:27

Ripples on the rock, boost, ripples in the sea, ripples in the sand, too, flowing into Connemara. Ripples in the rock boosts, ripples in the sea, ripples in the sand, too, throwing into Cornemara.

SPEAKER_06 19:42

I can feel the tide falling in the rain. I can feel the tide falling in the rain. I can feel the tide falling in the rain, but the wind is surely rising. Donald Kogie, you will come to no good, Donalong Kogie. You will come to no good, Donalong Kogie. You will come to no good. I shall leave you and take my dowry.

SPEAKER_04 20:03

Ribbles in the rock, ripples in the sea, Ribbles in the sand too, they take on the matter.

SPEAKER_01 21:57

From the album Gran Wale. Lady Mazory or a folk man from Sheffield made up of Hannah Jane. Hazel ask you. Rowan Ranger. Here they are singing their version of an old favorite. Let no man steal your time.

SPEAKER_06 22:46

It is past and gone. Let no man steal your time. Let no man steal your Lady Mazory there with a beautiful version of Let No Man Steal Your Time.

SPEAKER_01 24:25

One of my favorite female folk artists is Edwina Hayes. Edwina's performance is a pure, honest, and down to earth. And I'm looking forward to seeing her again in June at the BED Folk Festival. This is Edwina Hayes singing the John Prime song at the speed of the sound of loneliness.

SPEAKER_06 25:32

I've got a heart that burns with a fever. It looks so funny. So what's composed? Oh, what in the heaven's name have you done? Broken speed of the sound of the morning. Just to be out on the running It's a mind of me in a dreadful sorrow and across the evil line today. So what in the world's company? Oh what is being happy? Broken the speed of the sound. Squat and scroll Yeah, what in heaven's name have you done Brook and the speed of the sound of the loan in the deaths You're out there on and just to be on the rug You're out there on and just to be on the run You're out there on and just to be on the rug The Sublime Edwina Hayes there, bringing new life to John Prime's Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.

SPEAKER_01 28:50

Now then, with seven albums and five books to her name, independent British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist composer, Buddhist poet, and award-winning mental health advocacy, Emily McGuire, is, according to R R magazine, a talent to be reckoned with. With a remarkable, inspiring story to tell, she's been featured many times in interviews and playlists on BBC National Radio. She has won fans across the globe. Here is Emily singing Start Over Again.

SPEAKER_06 29:39

God in the mud, I want If I could breathe, then I would I'm fifteen, I feel older. I got dreams all in my heart. Go slow. Be kind. Start over the mud I wanted. I said I'm off to London Town. My love is strong, the years roll by But now it's gone, the blink comes. In meat time, be wise, start over again thrown in the muddy waters. I come down, and you await there on the ground, and then you put your hand in mine. You put your heart on the line yourself, also in the time be mine and start over a day. So for the muddy waters, I won't drown. I'll be a walk in the hell town, and I will make most of time, and someday to the child of mine that said, Oh sorry, be time be one start off the start up.

SPEAKER_01 32:54

You're listening to Roots and Branches with me, Jim Fox, and this special edition celebrating the contribution of women musicians and artists to the world of folk music. An instantly recognizable voice is that of Anya.

SPEAKER_06 34:47

So my most when friends rejoice.

SPEAKER_01 38:02

Apparently, on the way back to Jedburgh, Mary's horse got stuck in the mire and threw her off into the heather. This is Catherine DeKell in the Darkening with Highway to Hermitage. This is Kate with the uplifting and positive Let Your Light Shine from her 2025 album, They All Looked On.

SPEAKER_06 42:30

Let your light shine, let your light shine, lift your head up to see the skyline, let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine. Let your light in the sun shine, shadows will be gone, let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine, you can buy it, you can sell out, take time to work on that. You can rumble, you can be what you want to do. You can shake up, you can be still, or cast smiles around you out well. You can fly high, you can dig deep, cling on and take a big leap.

SPEAKER_03 44:20

Let your light shine. Let your light shine.

SPEAKER_06 44:26

Let your light shine. Clay that's not shine. I like shine.

SPEAKER_03 44:43

I like shine.

SPEAKER_06 45:40

Should I shut up?

SPEAKER_01 46:05

The unmistakable voice of Kate Rosby who would let your light shine. Maggie Duffy is a West Country singer-songwriter who got in touch with me recently and sent me some of her music. Maggie has been recording with a legendary Phil Beer of Shaw Hans. And here she is singing Fisherman John.

SPEAKER_06 46:29

Fisherman John. He stared at the moon. He'd always danced to a different tune. And people said, John, you ought to conform. Not live your life like a ship in a storm. You're floating like Jackson out on the brine. One day soon you will run out of time. Fiddlers Green will be calling to you. He gave a wry smile and said, Yes, it's true. Songs and stories of me will be told, and if I die young, I won't have to grow old. Live in the moment is my only creed. Don't waste your time on the things you don't need. Far away from his harbor and home. He's gone over the bar with the last evening star, but his love and his laughter live on. He's up at the house steering. The east wind will ruffle his head. As we say our goodbyes, he'll be sailing the skies, and the boatman will offer a prayer. Convince you it's true. He once met and fought with great Brian Baroo, wrestled away far into the deep, sang Neptune a lullaby to help him to sleep. He swore he'd met mermaids, how drunk a points. They guided him safely out of the stone. He filled up a buffle with wild ocean springs, and sold it as perfume down on the key. When he sang, he brought passion to everybody well. Gave a voice to those who have never been known. He sang for the heroes in the green fields of France. Then fling his arms wide and shout, People let's dance. Far away from his harmony home. He's gone over the bar with the last evening star, but his love and his laughter live on. As we say our goodbyes, he'll be sailing the skies, and the boat will offer up. Now fish and joy is resting Far away from his hobble and home. He's gone over the bar with the last evening star, but his long is left to live on. He's up with the house. As we say all the bows, he'll be sailing on the skies, and the boat will up.

SPEAKER_01 50:48

Don't forget, if you'd like me to play some of your music on the show, just email me at roots at mail.uk and I'll be happy to include you on a future episode of Roots and Branches. Another Maggie now. I've been a fan of Maggie Holland's music for many years, ever since I met her when she was with the band Tiger Mall. She is singing locks and bowls and injuries.

SPEAKER_02 51:45

Everywhere in front of him, tracks against all his wraps, we run for the level. I can't start it.

SPEAKER_01 54:52

And here she is with her most famous and beautiful song Who Knows Where the Time Goes.

SPEAKER_06 55:52

Before the winter fire will still be dreaming. Who knows where the time Sad deserted your fickle friends are leaving. Oh, but then you know it's time for them to go. But I will still be here. I have no thought of leaving. I do not count the time. Who knows where the time goes? Who knows where the time goes? While my love is near me. I know it will be so until it's time to go. So come the storms of winter, and then the birds in spring again. Wild dance of sixteen push and shot.

SPEAKER_04 59:51

She speaks, honey, even through the clay.

SPEAKER_06 1:00:01

She speaks to me. She's holding us. She speaks. Quiet is the snowflying.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:27

Heavy is the sky.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:01

Recorded at Dolan's from the album appropriately titled Live at Dolan's. Well, we are nearly at the end of another episode of Roots and Branches. So I'm gonna leave you with just two more tracks. Sadly, the music world has lost two very special female voices over the last couple of months. The first one was the voice of Glanhard Moya Brennan. And this next track is singing on the record about Clanad at the forefront of Colding Music. The thing from Harry's game. And another voice that we lost this year. Until we meet again. Until we meet again.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:46

Till we meet again, I wish you well. I hope your light shines easily. And when we meet again, it doesn't matter how we've done on the corrupt side. I'll see you farther on. You may struggle, you may toil to support the walls around you. Oh lowly born the midnight oil, till the pool of light shines on you. Till we meet again. I wish you well. I hope your light shines easily, and when we meet again, it doesn't matter how we've done on corrupt side. I'll see you for the long. But we will just be dream dream on till we meet again. I wish you well, I hope your light shines easily, and when we meet again, it doesn't matter how we've done on for road side. I'll see you fall along.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:11

Roots and Branches has been a Celtic crossroads production.