The Creepiest Folk Music You’ve Ever Heard

A list of the creepiest folk music you’ve ever heard, from traditional ballads to modern day murder ballads.

The Origins of Folk Music

Folk music is music that is passed down orally from generation to generation. It is music that is not written down, but is instead passed on through performance. Folk music is often seen as creepier than other types of music because it is not as polished and because it often deals with dark subject matter.

The history of folk music

Folk music has been around for centuries, and has undergone many changes throughout that time. The original function of folk music was to provide entertainment for the general public, and it was often passed down via oral tradition. Over time, folk music began to be associated with specific cultures and countries, and it eventually evolved into the various genres we know today.

Some of the most popular folk music genres include Celtic folk, Appalachian folk, British folk, and American folk. Celtic folk music is often characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, bagpipes, and harp. Appalachian folk music is a type of American folk music that originated in the Appalachian Mountains region of the United States. It is generally more mellow than other types of American folk music, and makes use of instruments such as the banjo, fiddle, and guitar.

British folk music is often influenced by Celticfolk music, as well as the country’s own rich history. It encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional ballads to more modern sounding tunes. American Folk Music is also quite diverse, and includes everything from traditional songs to modern day singer-songwriter pieces.

The different types of folk music

Folk music is a broad category of music that includes traditional music, works by unknown composers, and music composed by known musicians who belong to the folk tradition. Folk music is not just old music; it is also new music that conserves old traditions or creates new ones.

The folk process—the creative activity whereby a folk tradition is maintained or renewed—involves the making of new music within the context of established normative structures, such as tune types, modes, and verses. This process can be seen at work in recording studios and digital media, as well as at festivals and conventions devoted to traditional music. The study of folk music encompasses a wide range of approaches. Some scholars focus on the history of particular songs or tunes; others analyze the sociocultural context within which folk music is produced and performed; still others examine the meaning that performers give to their songs.

There are many different types of folk music, each with its own history and traditions. Some of the most well-known include:
-Celtic Folk Music: Celtic folk music is a genre that includes all traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. It is often characterized by its use of Celtic instruments such as the fiddle, bagpipe, and harp.
-American Folk Music: American folk Music includes both traditional songs passed down through generations (“folk songs”) as well as more contemporary compositions that reflect the experiences of modern life (“americana” or “roots” music).
-British Folk Music: British folk music has its roots in the medieval ballads that were sung by wandering minstrels. Over time, these songs became more polished and were often used to tell stories about current events or famous people.
– Scandinavian Folk Music: Scandinavian countries have a rich tradition of folk music, which includes everything from ballads and dance tunes to work songs and laments. Instruments used in Scandinavian folk music include the fiddle, accordion, Hardanger fiddle, and nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle).

The Creepiest Folk Songs

Folk songs are supposed to be about love, loss, and all the other emotions that make life worth living. But sometimes, they can be about something much darker. Something that will make your skin crawl and your hair stand on end. These are the creepiest folk songs you’ve ever heard.

“The Rake”

“The Rake” is a folk song that tells the story of a man who is tormented by a creature known as “the Rake”. The Rake is said to be a tall, thin, black-eyed creature that stalks its prey at night. The song describes the Rake as being “tall as a tree and thin as a rake”, and describes how it stalks its victims before killing them.

The song is said to be based on a real event that took place in England in the early 1800s. There are many different versions of the song, but all of them tell the same basic story. The Rake is said to have first appeared in the town of York, where it killed a number of people before disappearing just as suddenly as it had appeared.

While the song may be based on a real event, there is no proof that the Rake actually exists. However, that hasn’t stopped people from being afraid of it. The song has been known to give people nightmares, and many people believe that it is cursed.

“The Wife of Usher’s Well”

“The Wife of Usher’s Well” is a traditional Scottish ballad about a woman who goes to great lengths – including three trips to the Underworld – to bring her husband back from the dead.

The song is full of creepiness, from the description of the wife’s “sorrowful countenance” to the husband’s lifeless body being “stretcht out at length”. But it’s the concluding verse that is truly chilling:

“Lord Thomas and Lady Jane / Were never more seen / And they lie buried in one grave / In the churchyard of Skeltoun.”

“The Ballad of Barbara Allen”

“The Ballad of Barbara Allen” is a traditional folk song dating back to the 18th century. The song tells the story of a young woman who dies of a broken heart after her lover goes off to war and does not return. While the ballad is often sung as a love story, it is also seen as a warning to young women not to be too trusting of men.

The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but one of the most chilling versions is by American folk singer Joan Baez. Baez recorded the song for her 1964 album “Folksingers ‘Round Harvard Square,” and her haunting rendition is still considered one of the creepiest folk songs ever recorded.

Why Folk Music is Creepy

There’s something about folk music that just makes it creepy. Maybe it’s the slow, methodical pace of the music. Maybe it’s the old-timey instruments. Or maybe it’s the fact that most folk songs are about death. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that folk music can be creepy.

The dark themes of many folk songs

Folk music often has dark and depressing themes, which can make it seem creepy to some listeners. Death, murder, and other dark subjects are often found in folk songs, as well as in the oral traditions that many of these songs come from. This creepiness is often amplified by the use of minor keys and sparse instrumentation, which can create a feeling of unease or even fear.

While some people might find this type of music unsettling, others find it fascinating and even beautiful. The dark themes of many folk songs can provide a window into the human experience, revealing the fears and desires that we all share. If you’re interested in exploring this genre further, check out some of the creepiest folk music you’ve ever heard.

The eeriness of the music itself

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it has always had a creepy, ethereal quality to it. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel like you’re being watched, or that something is lurking just out of sight.

There are many theories as to why folk music is so creepy. One theory is that it is the product of a deeply superstitious culture. Folk songs were often used to ward off evil spirits, or to tell cautionary tales about the dangers of straying from the path.

another theory is that the creepiness of folk music is simply a product of its raw, primal energy. Folk music is often based on simple, repetitive melodies that can create a trance-like state in the listener. This can be a deeply unsettling experience, especially if the lyrics are creepy as well.

Whatever the reason, there is no denying that folk music can be incredibly creepy. Here are some examples of the creepiest folk music you’ve ever heard.

Conclusion

And so, we come to the end of our list of the creepiest folk music you’ve ever heard. We hope you enjoyed it, and perhaps found yourself a new favorite artist to enjoy. Folk music has a long and storied history, and we hope this list has inspired you to explore it further. Thank you for reading, and until next time… stay creepy!