For the benefit of those not familiar with the original volumes in the 'Wanton Seed' family (the others were 'Marrow Bones', 'The Constant Lovers' and 'The Foggy Dew'), they were possibly the most important source of easily accessible traditional English songs - after the Penguin Book itself – in the early years of the folk revival. Many singers plundered them repeatedly, and it's good to see two out of the four available again.

The songs as presented are collations by Frank Purslow, which has the advantage that they are immediately singable, although to use them as given is to accept his editorial choices. Fortunately the new editions have laid bare his interventions and, with the Hammond and Gardiner manuscripts now online at The Full English, you can go back to the source and construct your own version if you want to. But many of the Purslow versions are very usable as they stand.

Many thanks to Steve Gardham - of this parish - in continuing the labours of Malcolm Douglas - late lamented of this parish.