How To Research the History of a Song

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 Mar 20 - 08:02 PM

Pity our knowledge of the oral tradition hardly goes back further than the beginning of the 20th century (probably centuries later than the history you are seeking to research) Steve
Jim

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 08 Mar 20 - 05:23 PM

Pseu
The best way to research the history of a song is to amass as much as you can that is extant about the song, including every version available. Then there are several possible approaches; chronological is the most obvious, putting the versions in order that they appeared, were printed or collected, comparing different versions in as much detail as necessary, plotting charts of stanza occurrence is one approach. Another method would be to look at the geographical migration of the song, where it was/is found. Are there any analogues in other languages?

The most difficult ones to trace are those laments that have been on the go for centuries and have picked up commonplaces from all sorts of other songs. The Died for Love family for instance. Whilst these are very challenging they are also very interesting.

A word of advice would be to check if someone else has already done a study on the song you have in mind. No point in reinventing the wheel although you might turn up something fresh or have a different angle on it.

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 10:16 AM

GUEST,Pseudonymous, are you talking about primary or secondary research??

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: leeneia
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 09:59 AM

Here's what I do (Windows 10)

click on the URL "omnibox"
put the title of the song in double quotes
add history; like this

"on top of old smoky" history
press enter

This search will often take you to articles or notes about the song.
============
If you are making a CD or something like that, I have yet to find a fast and definite way to learn if a given song is copyrighted or not.

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 06:16 AM

It's quite rewarding to take your start from any clues the songs themselves might hold
Songs like Lady in her Father's Garden probably have their roots in the 'broken token' tradition which possible has its roots in the 'Gimmel Ring' tradition of making a match with an especially manufactured ring which breaks into two (three in earlier days) to be given to each of the betrothed, and a witness, among the better off

Many of the poaching and transportation songs were inspired by the many centuries seizures of Common land (which have their own interesting history)

The 'Can I go along with you' songs are obviously referring to the armies of 'Camp Followers' made up of wives, prostitutes. tradesmen, etc., which followed the troops into war
SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION TO BE HAD ON THIS

The Ballad of 'Tiftie's Annie' - is crammed with background history - the replacement of the Gentry by the new Trading Classes - the use of female members of the family as a way to climb the social ladder, the lengths ruthless heads of the family would go to protect their female 'assets' -    accusations of the use of witchcraft as a love charm - with a bit of the Edinburgh witch trials thrown in for good measure (with a possible trip to Fyvie Churchyard to see the grave to top it all off)

All good fun and far more fruitful than chasing the rainbows of 'original versions)
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 05:03 AM

There are certain key indices and websites to consult. The first is the Roud index which, if you haven't downloaded it already, you can find on the Vaughan Williams Library website. This will tell you how often it has been collected, where, when, geographical spread etc. Often this will lead you back to a printed source. Another good site is this one The Traditional Ballad Index which will give you background. The Bodleian Library has a lot of broadsheets on line at http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/search/?query=. You could also try just googling the title, but beware of statements such as "said to be .." or "purported to be ..." as these are often fanciful theories with no proof. Remember that folk song is very poor at history. If you are researching children's songs, then there is no better reference that the Opie books. This site can give you examples of research into individual songs: http://glostrad.com/. Finally, good luck.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 03:38 AM

There is no "in general".

Subject: How To Research the History of a Song
From: GUEST,Pseudonymous
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 02:23 AM

Interesting question. One raised by the 38th Katharine Briggs Memorial Lecture about the 'construction' of folklore by collectors and scholars.

How is it done? I mean in general, not in respect of a particular song.

I would include both the finding out and the presentation of those findings as 'research'.