The Best American Folk Sheet Music for Your Collection
Contents
American folk music is some of the richest and most varied in the world. It’s also some of the most rewarding to collect and perform. Here are the best American folk sheet music titles for your collection.
Introduction
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the best American folk sheet music for your collection. Folk music has been a part of American culture for centuries, and it continues to be popular today. Whether you’re a fan of traditional folk songs or modern folk-rock, there’s something in this guide for you.
We’ll start with a look at some of the best-known and most popular traditional folk songs. These are the songs that have been passed down from generation to generation, and they still sound great today. We’ll also introduce you to some more modern takes on traditional folk songs. These versions add a new twist to old favorites, and they’re sure to get your toes tapping.
We’ll also recommend some of the best folk-rock bands around. These bands take the traditional sound of folk music and add a heavy dose of rock ‘n’ roll energy. If you’re looking for something a little different, these bands are definitely worth checking out.
So whether you’re a longtime fan of folk music or just getting started, this guide will help you find the best American folk sheet music for your collection.
The Best American Folk Songs
Are you searching for the best American folk songs for your music collection? If so, you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with a list of the best American folk songs. American folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation. Folk songs are typically about the everyday lives of people and their culture.
“The House of the Rising Sun”
“The House of the Rising Sun” is a folk song from the United States. The song tells the story of a young man who goes to New Orleans and gets caught up in the gambling and debauchery of the city. The song is also known as “Rising Sun Blues” and “House of the Rising Sun”.
“Oh, Susanna”
One of the most beloved American folk songs, “Oh, Susanna” was written by Stephen Foster in 1848. The song tells the story of a young man who is heading west to California during the Gold Rush. He is sad to be leaving his love, Susanna, behind but he promises to return to her soon.
The song was extremely popular during the Gold Rush and it became one of Foster’s most well-known songs. It has been covered by many artists over the years and it is still a popular song today. If you are looking for American folk sheet music for your collection, “Oh, Susanna” is a must-have.
“Shenandoah”
“Shenandoah” is a traditional American folk song of uncertain origin, that appears to have first become popular in the Missouri River Valley in the middle 19th century. The song is sometimes called “Across the Wide Missouri”. Although it has been claimed that the song was written by several different people, most sources credit its composer as unknown. It has been covered by many artists and has become a folk standard.
The song is a beautiful and heart-wrenching ballad about a young man who is separated from his love, Shenandoah. The young man longs to return to her, but he knows that he may never see her again. The lyrics are written in first person, and they paints a vivid picture of life on the Mississippi River during the 19th century.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Odetta, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, and Emmylou Harris. It has also been used in several film and television soundtracks, including Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” and Ken Burns’ “The Civil War”.
“The Erie Canal”
“The Erie Canal” is a folk song that celebrates the building of the Erie Canal in New York State. The song was written by Thomas S. Allen in 1905, and it quickly became popular among canal workers and others who were involved in the project. The song is still sung today by people who appreciate its historic significance.
“The Streets of Laredo”
“The Streets of Laredo” is a traditional American folk song that tells the story of a dying cowboy. The song is also known as “Laredo” or “Cowboy’s Lament”. It has been recorded by many artists, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan.
The Best American Folk Musicians
Some of the best American folk musicians come from the Appalachian Mountains. These performers have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with their audiences. Many of them have been playing folk music for their entire lives. Others have been inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children’s songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This machine kills fascists displayed on his guitar. His best-known song is “This Land Is Your Land”. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. Throughout his life he was associated with United States Communist groups, though he was seemingly not a member of any.
Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger is one of the most iconic American folk musicians. He was born in New York City in 1919 and started playing music at a young age. He is best known for his work with the group The Weavers, who were influential in the early days of the American folk music revival. Seeger also wrote some of the most well-known and beloved folk songs, including “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” He was a tireless advocate for social justice and worked tirelessly to promote peace and equality. Seeger passed away in 2014, but his legacy continues to live on through his music.
The Weavers
The Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. They popularized many traditional folk songs, such as “Goodnight, Irene”, “Midnight Special”, “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena”, and “On Top of Old Smokey”. The Weavers were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Folk Music Hall of Fame.
Lead Belly
info on Lead Belly
Odetta
Odetta Holmes, known professionally as Odetta, was an African-American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a civil and human rights activist, often referred to as “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement”. Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals. An important figure in the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, she was influential both on the American folk music scene and on mainstream performers such as Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin. A classically trained singer with a powerful contralto voice, Odetta attracted both black and white audiences with her American folk music repertoire which included traditional songs such as “Midnight Special” and “This Little Light of Mine” as well as more contemporary songs such as “John Henry” and “One Grain of Sand”. In 1964 she released Odetta Sings Dylan which featured her interpretations of some of Bob Dylan’s early songs including “ Blowin’ in the Wind”.
Conclusion
No matter what your taste in folk music is, you’re sure to find sheet music in our collection that you’ll love playing. Whether you’re a fan of traditional songs or modern hits, we have something for everyone. So, take a look through our selection and find the perfect American folk sheet music for your collection today!
