Tower Seminar series – What’s the difference between a duck?- An exploration of textual variation in English language traditional songs in Ireland

What’s the difference between a duck?- An exploration of textual variation in English language traditional songs in Ireland.
Presenter: John Moulden
Chair: Dr Sandra Joyce

Over many years of inquiry it has become obvious to me that the processes involved in tradition operate through each singer’s subjectivity. I now tend to reject ‘objective’ descriptions of tradition and its processes; that is, those that are not derived from the behaviour of traditional singers in their communities. Lately I have become unhappy about the idea of ‘versions’ of songs and have begun to formulate a theory that treats this positively.  This presentation will draw on a wide range of examples, some drawn from the sub-tradition of hunting songs.

The Tower Theatre (Theatre 2).

Admission is free and all are welcome.