The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2224   Message #2263180
Posted By: Gene Burton
15-Feb-08 - 11:52 AM
Thread Name: What is a Folk Song?
Subject: RE: What is a Folk Song?
"...the only proper reason for singing the old songs is because they're great songs. They have beautiful melodies and simple yet poetic lyrics, they speak of real life (give or take the odd dragon), they can move us to tears or laughter, and they can make the hairs rise on our necks."

I'm in 100 % agreement with this statement. It can also equally be applied to the very best of those songs written here in recent years, be they popular or even not-so-popular. If the distinctive characteristics of a folk song are a beautiful melody, poetic lyrics, realism and emotional resonance, it follows that all songs displaying these characteristics are folk songs. It really is that simple. We define all other musical genres primarily by what they sound like, not by what some guy SAID they were and weren't some time in the middle of the last century; and it is reasonable to do the same with folk. This isn't dilution or adulteration, it's called logic!

I still can't believe anybody really thinks that no folk songs were created in the twentieth century...and yet here I am, taking the bait- doh!