American Folk Songs
Learn more about individual American folk songs, the place they had in history, and how they have adapted to the ever-changing world of American folk music.
Patriotic Folk Songs
Here's a look at the background of some of the most popular and memorable patriotic American folk songs.
Here's a look at the background of some of the most popular and memorable patriotic American folk songs.
"America the Beautiful" - Katharine Lee Bates & Samuel Ward
"America the Beautiful," which is often called the national hymn of the United States, was adapted from a poem by a Wellsely College English professor named Katharine Lee Bates, written in 1893.
"America the Beautiful," which is often called the national hymn of the United States, was adapted from a poem by a Wellsely College English professor named Katharine Lee Bates, written in 1893.
"Blowin in the Wind" - Bob Dylan
Blowin' in the Wind is, inarguably, one of the most popular protest songs in the history of the craft, although when Bob Dylan introduced it to the world in 1962, he insisted it wasn't a protest song.
Blowin' in the Wind is, inarguably, one of the most popular protest songs in the history of the craft, although when Bob Dylan introduced it to the world in 1962, he insisted it wasn't a protest song.
"Goodnight Irene" - Leadbelly
From Leadbelly to the Weavers and beyond, "Goodnight Irene" has been a seminal song in American folk music history.
From Leadbelly to the Weavers and beyond, "Goodnight Irene" has been a seminal song in American folk music history.
"I've Been Working on the Railroad" - Traditional
"I've Been Working on the Railroad" may just be the best known folk song about the U.S. railway system. You may know our nation's railroads were built primarily by African-Americans and immigrants (particularly Irish immigrants). It was grueling work and, like much grueling work, was no doubt made more tolerable by the presence of music.
"I've Been Working on the Railroad" may just be the best known folk song about the U.S. railway system. You may know our nation's railroads were built primarily by African-Americans and immigrants (particularly Irish immigrants). It was grueling work and, like much grueling work, was no doubt made more tolerable by the presence of music.
"Oh! Susanna" - Stephen Foster
Oftentimes in traditional American folk music, a song is around long enough to evolve, gain and lose verses, and change meaning. "Oh! Susanna" is a great example of this.
Oftentimes in traditional American folk music, a song is around long enough to evolve, gain and lose verses, and change meaning. "Oh! Susanna" is a great example of this.
"Scarborough Fair" - Traditional/Simon and Garfunkel
"Scarborough Fair," popularized in America by Simon and Garfunkel, is an English folk song about a trade fair that took place in the resort town of Scarborough during the medeival times.
"Scarborough Fair," popularized in America by Simon and Garfunkel, is an English folk song about a trade fair that took place in the resort town of Scarborough during the medeival times.
"Star Spangled Banner" - Francis Scott Key/Traditional
It is a tradition in American folk music to borrow the melodies of already popular songs and write new lyrics for them. So it is no surprise that Francis Scott Key's poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" (c. 1814), was sung to the tune of an already popular English drinking song.
It is a tradition in American folk music to borrow the melodies of already popular songs and write new lyrics for them. So it is no surprise that Francis Scott Key's poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" (c. 1814), was sung to the tune of an already popular English drinking song.
"This Land is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie
A brief history of "This Land is Your Land" - one of America's most memorable and timeless folk songs by singer/songwriter pioneer Woody Guthrie.
A brief history of "This Land is Your Land" - one of America's most memorable and timeless folk songs by singer/songwriter pioneer Woody Guthrie.
"We Shall Overcome" - Pete Seeger
A look at one of the most memorable American folk song anthems from the Civil Rights movement - "We Shall Overcome."
A look at one of the most memorable American folk song anthems from the Civil Rights movement - "We Shall Overcome."
"Yankee Doodle" - Traditional
"Yankee Doodle" is one of the most popular American patriotic songs, and is also the state song of Connecticut. However, despite its popularity, it started out as a song that made fun of American troops.
"Yankee Doodle" is one of the most popular American patriotic songs, and is also the state song of Connecticut. However, despite its popularity, it started out as a song that made fun of American troops.