The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2224 Message #8309
Posted By: Whippoorwill
09-Jul-97 - 12:33 PM
Thread Name: What is a Folk Song?
Subject: RE: What is a Folk Song?
I think everyone's definition of "Folk" music has to differ. We wouldn't be folks if it didn't. I've been singing for nearly 60 years, mostly ballads, and have my own narrow viewpoint: If it was old when I was a kid, it's folk music. If was written recently and tells a story, it's folk music. Examples: "Alice's Restaurant," folk music. Barely. The Limelighters' "Vikki Dugan," funny as hell, but not folk music. Filk, maybe, whatever that is, but not folk. If it's a song that you can sing to your grandkids, or a boy scout troop, or on the geriatric circuit, and they all enjoy it, it's probably folk. That's my definition, and it suits me. I ain't begrudging you yours.