I, for one, have played (or attempted to perform) many of the old ballads and gospel songs of the Appalachian people for nigh on to 70+ years with little thought to the stories behind those songs. I did notice fairly early in my life that lyrics changed but melodies seem to remain somewhat similar. But I just dismissed it as insignificant. Now as I look back on the past years, I can see how each set of lyrics told a unique story and the melody was just a convenience to allow the story to be told musically.   Take for example, the song "In The Pines"-and Where Did You Sleep... As sung be different ethnic people, different lyrics. As janie said, the music of the region is diverse and rich in historical and ethnic character.