The Folk Songs of North America: in the English Language

After more than 25 years of intensive research and in the filed collecting, Alan Lomax, the most widely recognized authority on folk songs in the world, assembled over 300 songs in this book which the New York Times called "the fullest, most representative and best edited popular anthology of American folk songs so far compiled". Besides being a collection of memorable songs, THE FOLK SONGS OF NORTH AMERICA, IS ALSO AN AUTHORITATIVE AND COMPREHSNSIVE HISTORY OF FOLK SONGS IN America. For Mr. Lomax believes folk song is closely related to fantasy and the life of the unconscious and that, in folk songs, the American people have put forth their dreams and their repressed desires, both good and evil. Thus, in tracing the origin and development of each of the songs, Mr. Lomax presents no only a fresh interpretation of American folk music, but, quoting liberally from folk biographies, folk tales, and from other American documents, a peoples' history of the United States. For in these folk songs and in folk comment, the people have set down in plain and delightful language their own view of their American heritage. Each of the more than 300 songs is ready to be sung and played - with arrangements that even a beginner can perform. Divided into four sections - North, Southern Mountains and Backwoods, Negro South, and West - each song has either a piano accompaniment or guitar chords. In addition, there are notes by Mr. Lomax on how the songs should be sung, instructions on how to play American folk guitar and banjo, and bibliographies of records and books. Stunningly illustrated, THE FOLK SONGS OF NORTH AMERICA is an invaluable book for both students and fans alike.