Hi there,

For my dissertation I am studying folk songs and how they have been altered by folklorists in accordance with their own/society's values.

I need your help in order to find as many altered songs as possible, which are substantially different from their original text. These changes can be through:

• Change of subject
• Change of meaning
• Removal of sexual content/double entendre
• Removal of bawdy language
• Removal of political content

A classic example is "The Keeper," a bawdy song about a huntsman preying on local women, which was censored by Cecil Sharp in order to make it "suitable" for children to sing. The altered version therefore depicted an actual hunting scene with no sexual connotations.

If you know of any songs similar to this which have numerous variations, or which have been notably changed from their original form, please answer the following question below:

Q. Are you aware of any British folk songs which have been significantly changed, either over time or via the intervention of folklorists?

(Please include the name of the song(s), approximate data of the songs' creation and/or change, the author and the geographical area of origin if known)

Thanks for your help!
Natasha