The ballad sessions at Whitby this year seem to suggest a pleasing revival in these extended songs. The events were very well attended and significant numbers of booked artists appeared as floor singers throughout the week. An examination of the performances reveals some surprising things (to me at any rate). Firstly the incidence of high quality performances, secondly, the absence of the well known songs such as 'Gipsy Laddie (Child 200) and its variants. Thirdly the apparent dominance of Scottish accents in the room is not actually borne out in the performances where there is a balance between English and Scottish performers. Fourthly, what is going on in the South -East? The number of quality singers of ballads from that neck of the woods suggests a revival of sorts? Lastly, there is a trend towards the less heard classic ballads, so 'Hind Etin', 'Brown Adam', and 'The Duke of Atholl's Nurse' to name but three, appeared, the second twice in different forms. In contrast there were only two 'Outlandish Knights', no Robin Hoods and nothing in the way of the 'riddle' songs such as 'Capain Wedderburn' or the 'Elf Knight'. This is very different to what was being sung three years ago.
The Child collection still dominates, perhaps less surprising, although the broadside narrative ballad is starting to balance the books. Fine performances of very long texts suggests that attention spans may be on the increase. Overall it looks like these songs still have a lot of life in them and may yet contain relevance for a wider 21st century audience.