I don’t feel I can speak to industrial folk as I was the farmer’s grandson and farmer’s son, not a farm labourer. In the way of boys, I took everyone for who they were and had no formed perceptions on different roles. We were also a long way from the centres of class struggle. I felt no kinship with the gas meter readers and glass & aluminium warehouse workers I later rubbed shoulders with (in fact, even that exaggerates the closeness of the connection) and I know this is much down to my attitude and proclivities as their perception on things. It doesn’t qualify me to write about my time as an aluminium racker.

It is a big part of what folk music comprises of, concernes itself with.. It is impossible to think of folk without the stirring political anthems. Then, as now, this was about the action of civic authority in making life harder for the (as the term was) working man.

Now as for neofolk, I do have an insight into pagan practice and have read extensively on the subject(s). I haven’t lent this knowledge to my songwriting endeavours and, not being a practicing witch, don’t feel qualified extolling the virtues of astral travel or scrying.

Portent

A flood of foiled philanthropy blamed for 
falling through the cracks  
A parched earth position that rarely enacts
Shelter 'neath the helter skelter
This is important this is a portent

Quake in our boots don't try to take up roots
Not a pot to piss in or a well to wish in 
A lost at sea lucidity
Department deportment this is a portent

Hearkened as horizon darkened
Felt the folds of fields
an otherworldly undercurrent
Pinned intent with penitent this is a portent