My earliest memories (late 1950's) would have to be The Weavers, Leadbelly, Burl Ives and Theodore Bikel. I'm thinking albums/artists rather than indididual songs. There were others in my childhood memories (Harry Belafonte, Limeliters, Chad Mitchell Trio, and more), but the aforementioned were the absolute earliest I can recall.

But songs? Hmmmm. Wimoweh, Godnight Irene, On Top of Old Smoky, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Old Paint (The Weavers). Those might just have been the earliest, if I had to actually choose.

It all came from my late mother. She liked folk music and was a college classmate of Oscar Brand's (Brooklyn College, class of 1942). I really do owe it all to her.

Still have those albums - and lots more!

Jay