The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #125811   Message #2789725
Posted By: Folkiedave
16-Dec-09 - 12:58 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Popular carols 'have folks roots'
Subject: RE: Folklore: Popular carols 'have folks roots'
From the BBC link above.

The Christmas carol While Shepherds Watched their Flocks was originally sung to the tune of folk song On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, an academic claims.

While Shepherds....1700

Cranbrook (Ilkla Moor...) 1804.

Not for over 100 years it wasn't. But I blame the BBC not the Prof.