Roots and Branches
Folk and Roots Music
Roots and Branches
JULY 2026
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This latest episode of Roots and Branches with Jim Fox featured music from Danish band INSTINKT, American legend JOHN PRINE, Canadian band THE DUHKS, ALL ABOUT EVE, Somerset based SHARON LAZIBYRD, the legendary PHIL OCHS, the, great VIN GARBUTT, TREVOR BILLMUSS, Irish trailblazers THE MARY WALLOPERS, SCOTT DOONICAN, Irish singer and guitarist GER O’DONNELL, THE IMAGINED VILLAGE, NEIL BROPHY, PETER HOLLENS and multi instrumentalists THE BARELY WORKS
Listening to Roots and Branches with Jim Fox, playing all things folk and roots, including the branches.
SPEAKER_09And the music you hear at the beginning of every episode is by the Danish band Instinct, and the tune is called Ben. We're gonna start off this episode with another track from their album Her that's spelled H U R. This is Instinct with Philip Spolker. A great storyteller, probably one of the greatest of the American singer-songwriters of his time, who influenced so many who followed in his footsteps. This is John Prine singing a live version of Illegal Smile.
SPEAKER_12When I woke up this morning, things were looking bad. Seemed like total silence. I was the only friend I had. A bowl of old milk tried to stare me down and won. And it was twelve o'clock before I realized I was having no fun. Ah, but fortunately, I have the key to escape reality. And you may see me today with a little eagle smile. It don't cost very much, but it lasted a while. Won't you please still make me? I didn't join one. No, I'm just trying to have these on the pun. Well, last time I checked my bankroll, it was getting thin. Sometimes it seems like the bottom is the only place I've been. I chased the rainbow down on one way street, did in, and all my friends turned out to be insurance. Ah, but fortunately, I have the key to escape reality, and you may see me tonight with an illegal smile. It don't cost that much, but it lasts a long while. Won't you please tell a man? I'd better kill anyone, no, I'm just trying to be some fun. That was scary. Well, I sat down in my closet with all my overalls Tryna get away from all the ears inside my walls. I dreamed the police heard everything I thought. What then? Oh well I went to court and the judge's name was off me. Ah, but fortunately it's your turn.
SPEAKER_09Another instrumental track now, this time from the Dukes. The Dukes were a Canadian folk fusion band performed in two thousand and two in Winnipeg, Canada. Featuring banjo, fiddle, guitar, percussion, and vocals, blending folk music together with various Canadian and American traditional styles, including soul, gospel, old-time country, string, and zydeco. This track is from their album, Your Daughters and Your Sons, and it's called Giuliano's June. But here they are singing the traditional Irish folk song She Moved Through the Fair. This is all about Eve.
SPEAKER_06Saw your shape in a tree, trace the bark with my fingertips. Will you walk here with me? And the leaves had no questions as they fell from the sky, and the birds they kept flying didn't need to ask me why would you will be fine. Skim the stone across the sea, dip my toe in the water's edge. Will you swim here with me? And the tide it kept turning as the waves rushed to shore. I could feel the sand shifting till the swell was no more.
SPEAKER_09American songwriter, protest singer, and political activist Phil Oakes died at the age of thirty-five. He lived what might be described as a troubled life. He was mugged and nearly strangled during a visit to South Africa. Which led to him taking his own life in 1976. And he released eight albums during his all too short career. Here he is singing when I'm gone.
SPEAKER_10And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone. And you won't find me singing on the song when I'm gone. So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. And I won't feel the flooding of the time when I'm gone. All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone. My pen won't fall a little when I'm gone, so I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. And I won't breathe a brazen air when I'm gone. And I can't even worry about my cares when I'm gone. Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone, so I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone. Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone. So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. Won't see the gold enough of the sun when I'm gone. And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone. Can't be singin' louder than the guns while I'm gone. So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone. And the sense will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone. Can add my name into the fight while I'm gone. So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. And I won't be laugh enough to lies when I'm gone. And I can question however when it was when I'm gone. Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone. So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. And I won't know the ride from the wrong when I'm gone. And you won't find me singing on this song when I'm gone. So I guess I'll have to do it. I guess I'll have to do it. Guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.
SPEAKER_09Phil Oaks with When I'm Gone. You're listening to Roots and Branches with me, Jim Fox playing all things folk and roots, including the stuff that hangs from the branches. I always enjoyed seeing this next artist perform either in a folk club or in a larger concert or festival setting. Vin Garbert had a great repertoire of both serious and funny songs, and his introductions were often longer than the songs themselves. This is Vin Garbert with a live version of Where the Hell Are We Going to Live?
SPEAKER_13Well now maybe they're married and we're trying to settle down. Oh million committed banger to open two down. Where the hell are we going to live? Where the hell are we going to live? Tend to do my motherway up in the sky. Number six thousand number five. With that and we're going to live. I love it, just give us a ball bitch right now with the door with some eating food. But that elders come with the live. But I don't know what kids play. Where the end of the wing going to live. Where the end of the wing going to live. Where the end of going to live up in the sky. Where I was just want to before. Where the beast won't fun. 24. Like a chicken, my friend. But I want to live like a man. Where are the hands of being going to live? Where are the hell of a live? Then it's a bad way up in the sky. Walking over the block and I line. Then we find that with the diamond, hell, we're going to live.
SPEAKER_09I dare say there aren't many people who have heard of him even today. Family Apology was the only album that Trevor Bilmus recorded. He totally disappeared from public view. I love that album and played it to death in the early 70s. This is a track from that very album. Trevor Burrus singing the ground song.
SPEAKER_01And my hand and my elbow. And my arm is in my shoulder. And my shoulder is in my chest. And my chest is in my carcass. And my carcass is on my legs. Which are standing on the ground. My mother takes some pills. Says they relieve the tension. And my father's working hard to augment a moderate pension. And my brother thinks he's God. But his son won't be by virgin. And I'm dying to do my famous and little disappearing act. The single ground is in my hand. And my hand is in my elbow. And my elbow is in my arm. And my arm is in my shoulder. And my shoulder is in my chest. And my chest is in my carcass. And my carcass is on my legs. Oh, which is standing on the ground. I have no bowler hat, nor furlet umbrella. I have no leather case, like the other city fellas. And I missed my train to banks. And this one goes to temple. I think I'd better go and start all over again. And sing the ground is in my hand, and my hand is in my elbow, and my elbow is in my arm, and my arm is in my shoulder, and my shoulder is in my chest, and my chest is in my carcass, and my carcass is on my legs, which are standing on the ground.
SPEAKER_04Because the ground is in my hand, and my hand is in my elbow, and my elbow is in my arm. It's on my shoulders, I'm on the shoulders, it's on my chest, I'm on my chest, it's on my carcass, on my buttons, it's on the mouth, it's a standing on the ground.
SPEAKER_09It's on my ground song by Trevor Bilmouth. If anyone out there knows whatever happened to Trevor Bilmouth, maybe you can get in touch and let me know. I'd be interested to find out. Mary one of us will be releasing a new album later on in the year. And we'll be back on the road with our raw and make some traditional and new Irish music. This is a track from one of their earlier albums.
SPEAKER_02At half past eleven, I sadly prepared to return to my lodgings where I was raised. I packed up many bags, I was within the dulk, and then no remote in a big order. So the titlers relaxed and returned to their drinks, rejoicing that now they need not feel the pinch. Peter Shore finished off the last eighth of an inch. He was sucking since twenty past seven. And the music began in an old-fashioned style. You were traveled to hear it. For many is a boy. We were laughing and dancing. The wheel. All the while I'd play with dead and in heaven. There were lads there from New Lee, the rock and the hack. And some came from Belfast that never went by. And more lived convenient. The carols and blacks, and every man jack's little importer. Some came from Hill Street and more from the case, on cross, but then Patriots tearing away. In the scheme done the mine, they were all in the ray, and each one kept themselves in good order. A big dirty guard was out on the street, passing the door, heard the music so sweet, and he kicked up his heels, started beat around the treat and his summon up two of his coronavirus. They quickly return to the scene of the crime. And they call on the company to fight or resign. Let the big crypto fee. We'll only be fine on the night, and the guards are in it only. Said the sergeant on entering. Well, what's this I see? And why are so many? On the spree. Could it be that at long last the country is free? Your conduct is most nefarious. Oh, the country's not free, then no need it saved. You want to drink porter, like the rest you must pay. We'd stay here if we like. And the clear light that they know it don't dump we're prepared. So the card went around, and they took all our names, and they struggled as bed. When our feeble reprins, and there's some names and night. They did a great hymn for their forever. To the roof of Malholland, some quickly they climb. But put the kids on the bar at the scene and they're crying. To watch the old guards and pick and good over time as they gather the rest all together. May the devil he roast them high up on the ramp. The guard and the sergeant, the lad with the lamp. The dirty, mean, miserable, lousy little tramps from the bud that were dragged up so lowly. May they always see suffering and sorrow and pain. May their boots never fit and their bells never strain. If they interrupt such a grand even again, there's a night that the gathered read the holies. And may their motors all stand and their noses all rotten, and their necks never so red. All turn green in the sun, and their teeth all turn black and follow one by one. Mid our arsa all fester and run to their heels and their last eye and minutes. Be tempered with squeals, they dance forever. The past they still reels. Oh, what the devil for laden or orning.
SPEAKER_09That was the merry wallopers. Now I'm having a year off from my other job where I run one of the main stages at Glastonbury Festival. And I have to say that I'm enjoying the break this year. For the last few years, Steve Knightley has performed a nice intimate several days. And on one of these occasions, he shared a song that he had just written. And last year he gave that song to Scott Doonigan of the Barcelona Sons of Val Doonigan. Scott has recently released that song on a new recording. And here it is for you. Scott Doonigan with It's OK if it's a folk song.
SPEAKER_11Sleep with the lasses and catch the pox. Slaughter the French, the Spanish, and the Scots. It's okay if it's a folk song. You can kiss pretty Nancy on the shore. Get pissed and go to sea once more. Or party all night with the darkside horse. It's okay if it's a folk song. You can fumble in the cuckoo's nest all day. Rob a coach full of mail on the King's Highway. Or squander all your money and go away, bay where the weather and the plowers may or not be gay. Celebrate Jesse James robbing trains and banks. You can make prisoners walk the plank. Harping wells or even sing the Yanks. But it's okay if it's a folk song. Lay down to watch the small fish glide. Ravish young maidens on the mountainside. After church you can rot your Lord Barnard's pride, but it's okay if it's a folk song. Well, you can have a dark and roving eye for John Ballicon's death, have an alibi. You can self-identify just like the female drummer boy. Slaughter all the creatures in the wild. Up the chimney goes the child. Serving maids will be defiled, but it's okay if it's a folk song. Well you can scatter your wanton seed, cause a tumble in the hay is guaranteed. The Barney Black hair is on a news, but it's okay if it's a folk song. Well, you can shoot the swans and Kingswild, dear. Drown yourself in rummer beer. Stick your finger in your best friend, dear, or even in your sisters if the coast is clear. Hail on Titanic from docks down south. Convince the farmer's daughter that your oats are plowed. It's an oral tradition from mouth to mouth. And it's okay if it's a folk song. In Plymouth, you can beat Drake's drum. Eat your shipmates one by one. Pickle Nelson's cockin' rum. But it's okay if it's a folk song. You can't fix it, it's not a broke song. Not a PC or a woke song.
SPEAKER_09No, it's okay if it's a folk song. Scott Dunigan with Steve Knightley. It's okay if it's a folk song. This next track is another cover. This time it is the Richard Thompson song All Way to Graceland. Song here by Irish singer and guitarist O'Donnell.
SPEAKER_16She was pretty like a young girl again. Twenty years married, and she never thought twice. She packed up her bags and mocked into the night. And silver wings carried her over the sea. From the west coast of Ireland to West Anthony. Oh, to be with two sweet eyes. Oh, she left everything from God to Island to be with the king. She was summoned suspicion. That's the song she liked best. She added Elvis, I love you. That's you don't have When they landed in Memphis, till her heart beat so fast. She dreamed for so long, now she'd see him at last. She was down by his grave side day after day. Come close in time, they pull her away. But to be with her sweetheart, she left everything from Godway to grace land to be with how they came in their family from the whole human race to pay their respects at his last resting place, but blindly she never and she told him her dreams and she thought that he answered Well that's how it seemed when they dragged her away. It was Hankas this time. She said, My dear man, are you out of your mind? Don't you know we are married? See, I'm wearing misery. I've come from the way to Graceland to be with the king. I've come from our way to Graceland to be with the king.
SPEAKER_09Gary O'Donnell with Richard Thompson and all the way to Graceland. I played a track from The Imagined Village in the previous episode of Ruth and Brandon, and here they are again with Billy Brad taking the lead on hard times of old England.
SPEAKER_15By track to my horse and by hull and by hand. But that one's the off the bank's lightest demand.
SPEAKER_14See how the hot signs about it.
SPEAKER_15When Tesco's turned up all the ladder to stop. Now I can't make it living out of my crop. Seeing all the hot times about England. In all England, very hot time. More and more about the beach gets out every bit of out. Oh the head my grandfather tended gone.
SPEAKER_14In all bigger, very hot to complete and to finish my song. Let's hope that these hard times they will not last long. And I made some navigation for the water my song and sing all the good times about the body.
SPEAKER_09He never made it back home and finally ended up in Copenhagen. Then in 1996, he decided to combine his performing with acting agent for a large number of folks. And the band has made a couple of appearances at the level of the beautiful days festival here in the UK. This is Neil Brophy with one man folk band.
SPEAKER_17And I'll stand and deliver all the songs I'm gonna sing, yeah. I'm a one-man, folk man in a strange land. Could write a hundred pages, about a hundred stages. Bar of night soon became a law. Where the men were at the bar, we had the devil in the jar, and the ghost, they just danced upon the floor From the north to the southern nations. Tickets to travel stations, east and west and all around the world. Well, I travel to those parts, and I played bad songs all around the world. Some may say that I have run away To be a one man, foat man in a strange land And I'll stand and deliver all the songs I'm gonna sing, yeah. I'm a one-man, both man in a strange land Sound check John and the check one-to-a drink for me and a drink for you Saturday boys trying to pick and shoot variety girls in the Saturday shoes I first got my sound for my fall up town A hunger for the world inside of me It didn't just sit there like an old man in a chair Pick me up and hear it broadly Some may say that I have run away To be a one man, though band in a strange land And I'll stand and deliver all the songs I'm gonna sing, yeah. I'm a one man, though band in a strange land One land, though band in a strange land One land, though band in a strange land That's the way I'm gonna stay And that's the way I'm gonna stay And that's the way I'm gonna stay That's the way I'm gonna stay My old friend Neil Brofrey there with one man folk band.
SPEAKER_09I came across his next track recently on the internet and really liked what had been done with it. The song is an old favourite of mine, and this version uses multi-tracking of the singer's voice to produce some beautiful harmonies. This is Peter Holland with the parting glass.
SPEAKER_03And oh the home that I've done to the company and the laptop for fair to me the parting class. Good night and joy be with you. So fill to me the parting glass and drink a health would have be falls Then gently rise and softly call good night and joy be to you all none none of all the comrades that day I had are sorry for my going away And all the sweet hearts that tear I had would wish me one more day to stay sent to my heart that I should rise and you should be rise and I'll softly come I can should be to you to be the heart in the past and truth gently rise and softly call good night and joy be to you all Feel to me the parting glass and drink a health would ever be false Then gently rise and softly call Good night and joy be to you and joy be to Well that's all we have time for on this episode of Ruth and Run.
SPEAKER_09Thanks again for listening. Keep on sending the message in the root music. Roots and Branches has been a Celtic crossroads production.