I see Jim's point, Ake, in that as opposed to most of the rest of the songs most of the hunting songs do nothing but glorify the activity. I would think twice about singing to a non-heritage audience any song that glorified something offensive. I am opposed to immoderate drinking of alcohol which puts a tremendous burden on our health service and other services, and yet I sing songs that glorify alcohol, Fathom the Bowl, Barley Mow, etc. To most people they are just good songs with great choruses.

Coming back to Dido Bendigo. The original song took place in the 1680s, the Bedale or Bilsdale and yes it was one of the highest profile figures of that period who was being celebrated. It is a straightforward description of one day's hunt, and as this version has come down to us it isn't a particularly gory or glory example. However, when I sang it for the website, it was as an example of a piece of Yorkshire history, the original hunt having taken place in Yorkshire, and being made famous by the Watersons of Yorkshire, and I don't think I have sung it since that recording was made.

Jim mentioned Sir Hugh and his struggling with that ballad. I had exactly the same problem with it in our forthcoming next book. Only one verse out of 12 mentions the offending murderess and by altering a couple of words this was alleviated. Of course an explanation of the redaction is given in the notes to the song.