5 Examples of Folk Music Songs

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation. In this blog post, we will give you 5 examples of folk music songs.

Introduction

Folk music, also called traditional music, is a genre of popular music that developed naturally out of the folk culture of the people in a particular country or region. It is often passed down from generation to generation orally, through song. Folk music has many different subgenres, each with its own unique style and sound. Some of the most popular folk music subgenres are Celtic, Appalachian, and Hispanic.

Celtic folk music comes from the countries of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. Celtic music is often lively and upbeat, and features traditional instruments such as the fiddle, bagpipe, and accordion.

Appalachian folk music originated in the Appalachian Mountains region of the United States. This type of folk music tends to be more subdued than Celtic folk music, with a slower tempo and sweeter melodies. Common instruments used in Appalachian folk music include the banjo, harmonica, and dulcimer.

Hispanic folk music comes from the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America. This genre of folk music is very diverse, with different styles developing in different countries. Hispanic folk music often has a fast tempo and is very lively. Common instruments used in Hispanic folk music include guitars, maracas, and drums.

“The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals

“The House of the Rising Sun” is a traditional folk song, presumably written in the early 1900s. The best-known version was recorded by English rock band The Animals in 1964. The song is about a young man from New Orleans who ends up living a life of sin and misery in a brothel.

Other versions of “The House of the Rising Sun” have been recorded by many other artists, including Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, and Eric Burdon (of The Animals). Folk music scholar Alan Lomax included the song in his 1941 book Our Singing Country as an example of early American folk music.

“The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan

“The Times They Are A-Changin'” is a song written by Bob Dylan and released as the title track of his 1964 album of the same name. Dylan wrote the song as an attempt to capture the spirit of social and political change that was occurring at the time.

The song became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war movement, and has been covered by many artists over the years.

Other notable examples of folk songs include:

“We Shall Overcome” by Pete Seeger
“Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan
“If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)” by Pete Seeger & Lee Hays
“This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie

“Blowin’ in the Wind” by Peter, Paul, and Mary

“Blowin’ in the Wind” is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released on his album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan in 1963. The song became a hit for Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1964. It has been described as a protest song, but its lyrics go beyond the scope of any one issue. Instead, they ask a series of universal questions about peace, war, and freedom. The song remains an anthem for those who believe in the power of non-violent protest.

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot

“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot in 1976, telling the story of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975. The song became a hit single in Canada and the United States, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (kept from the top spot by REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling”), and #1 on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada. In 2001, it was voted as the greatest Canadian song of all time in a CBC Radio poll. It is ranked as one of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Conclusion

Folk music is a genre of music that is often passed down orally from generation to generation. It typically contains simple melodies and lyrics, and is often about topics such as love, loss, or the human experience. Folk music has been around for centuries, and has influenced other genres of music such as country and rock. Here are five examples of folk music songs:

“Down in the Valley” is a traditional folk song that was first collected by Cecil Sharp in 1918. The song is about a young man who is pining for his love who lives “down in the valley.”

“Barbara Allen” is a traditional folk ballad that was first printed in England in 1765. The song tells the story of two lovers who are parted by death. Barbara Allen regrets never marrying her true love, and when he dies she realizes too late that she loved him.

“I Will Give My Love an Apple” is a traditional Irish folk song that dates back to the 17th century. The song is about a young woman who promises her love an apple if he will marry her.

“The Cruel Mother” is a traditional English folk ballad that dates back to the 18th century. The song tells the story of a woman who kills her own children after their father leaves her.

“The Unquiet Grave” is a traditional Scottish ballad that dates back to the 16th century. The song tells the story of a man who comes back from the dead to haunt his own Grave because he cannot find peace.