Dave Arthur has gained a considerable reputation as a researcher, collector, writer and broadcaster of English song, music and folklore. He edited English Dance and Song for twenty years, and in 2003 was awarded the EFDSS Gold Badge for services to folk music. His writing has appeared in The Times, the Independent, Melody Maker, Words International, the Folk Music Journal, English Dance and Song, the Stage, Encyclopaedia Britannica and New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

List of photographs Acknowledgements Foreword by Richard Thompson Introduction 1. The Beginning 2. A Telegram to Hitler 3. 1936 and All That 4. Down to the Sea in Ships 5. Working for Auntie 6. Bertie Badfruit 7. Picture Post and Army Life 8. The Singing Englishman 9. Croom's Hill 10. The English Folk Song and Dance Society 11. Ramblers and Bold Miners 12. Back to the Beeb 13. Writing and Recording in the Fifties 14. The Folk Survival of the Fittest 15. The Radio Ballads 16. The Folk Revival 17. The Singing Sixties 18. Teaching and Filmmaking 19. Fare Thee Well 20. A Final Assemblage of Memories Notes Bibliography and Select Discography Index