For those not familiar with the background, the Hammond & Gardiner manuscripts are some of the most important 19th Century collections of English folk song. They were first published by the EFDSS as a series starting in 1965 – selected, edited and prepared by the late Frank Purslow – as four slim, but influential, volumes entitled, "Marrowbones", "The Wanton Seed", "The Constant Lovers" and "The Foggy Dew".

Out of print since the late 60's, the EFDSS were persuaded in 2006 to embark on re publishing the series. One of the chief instigators, the late Malcolm Douglas, was commissioned to undertake a revision and reworking of the collection starting with "Marrowbones". This first volume was subsequently re-published to great acclaim in 2007.

Those who knew Malcolm will not be surprised to hear that his exhaustive and meticulous researches enabled him to improve and add much new information to the original. His principal collaborator on this project was Steve Gardham of Hull.

Malcolm was subsequently commissioned to prepare the second volume, "The Wanton Seed" and it was while working on this that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Finishing the book literally became a race against time.


Malcolm's friends have now, once again "stepped up to the plate" and have undertaken to see "The Wanton Seed" re-published and available, partly because it will be an important contribution to the folk singing community and partly out of respect for the memory of a hugely talented and much missed colleague.