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Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know

GUEST,Mollie 04 Aug 10 - 07:50 PM
GUEST,John Cloud 22 Nov 08 - 04:12 PM
Rapparee 17 Oct 08 - 04:13 PM
GUEST,leeneia 17 Oct 08 - 04:01 PM
GUEST,leeneia 17 Oct 08 - 03:50 PM
GUEST,Anna-wa 16 Oct 08 - 09:13 PM
GUEST,leeneia 16 Aug 08 - 12:58 PM
dulcimerman 15 Aug 08 - 08:59 PM
Big Al Whittle 15 Aug 08 - 04:26 PM
GUEST,leeneia 15 Aug 08 - 11:46 AM
dulcimerman 15 Aug 08 - 07:59 AM
topical tom 10 Mar 08 - 01:40 PM
topical tom 10 Mar 08 - 01:27 PM
The Mole Catcher's Apprentice (inactive) 10 Mar 08 - 12:03 PM
GUEST,Sammy Rich 10 Mar 08 - 10:28 AM
skarpi 10 Mar 08 - 09:09 AM
GUEST 10 Mar 08 - 09:01 AM
Stringsinger 09 Mar 08 - 01:52 PM
Richard Bridge 09 Mar 08 - 07:52 AM
GUEST,Sara Jane 08 Mar 08 - 10:57 PM
GUEST,Bugsy @ Work 16 May 02 - 11:13 AM
53 16 May 02 - 10:31 AM
DMcG 16 May 02 - 10:10 AM
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DMcG 16 May 02 - 03:41 AM
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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Mollie
Date: 04 Aug 10 - 07:50 PM

I believe this list was created by the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Here is a link about it: http://www.blackroseacoustic.org/encore/great-songs.htm

Enjoy!

Mollie

Great Songs Every American Should Know
by Howard Chasteen

In 1996 the National Association for Music Education (MENC) introduced their list 43 Great Songs Every American Should Know. Many people complained that their favorite songs were left off the first list. Some complained so vocally that their selections were added!  "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" joined the 1996 list after the MENC received thousands of letters and complaints from members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  In 2000, they released a second list, 45 Great Songs.

Is your favorite song on either list? Are there songs that you think absolutely must be added? I was pleasantly surprised to see songs containing a message of faith were included in the lists. I personally believe that attempts to make schools politically correct and religiously neutral have resulted in the loss of much of the heart and spirit of public educational music programs.  

Compiled from the MENC web page, www.menc.org.

Volume I - 1996    
Amazing Grace
America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)
America the Beautiful
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Blue Skies
Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
De Colores
Do-Re-Mi
Down by the Riverside
Frere Jaques
Give My Regards to Broadway
God Bless America
God Bless the U.S.A.
Green, Green Grass of Home
Havah Nagilah
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Home on the Range
I've Been Working on the Railroad
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing
Michael (Row the Boat Ashore)
Dona Nobis Pachem
Music Alone Shall Live
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'
Oh! Susanna
Over My Head
Puff the Magic Dragon
Rock-A-My Soul
Sakura
Shalom Chaverim
She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain
Shenandoah
Simple Gifts
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
This Land is Your Land
The Star Spangled Banner
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
This Little Light of Mine
Yesterday
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
     
Volume II - 2000    
All Through the Night
Auld Lang Syne
Both Sides Now
Camptown Races
Clementine
Down In the Valley
Edelweiss
Erie Canal
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Five Hundred Miles
Follow the Drinkin' Gourd
Getting to Know You
Guantanamera
I Love the Mountains
I've Got Rhythm
Goodnight Irene
It's a Small World
Jamaica Farewell
Kum Ba Yah
Let It Be
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Make New Friends
Midnight Special
My Favorite Things
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Over the Rainbow
Peace Like a River
Precious Lord
Red River Valley
Rock Around the Clock
Side By Side
Take Me Home, Country Roads
To Every Season (Turn! Turn! Turn!)
Try to Remember
The Water Is Wide
We Shall Overcome
What a Wonderful World
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
When the Saints Go Marching In
Where Have All the Flowers Gone
Yankee Doodle
You Are My Sunshine
You Are The Sunshine of My Life
You're a Grand Old Flag
You've Got a Friend


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,John Cloud
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 04:12 PM

This a wonderful topic. Too many forget the importance of context. I hope you will keep this dialogue going.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 04:13 PM

One is "Yankee Doodle" and the other 49 are not.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 04:01 PM

When this thread comes up, I scan it for new songs to play on the dulcimer.

The idea of 'fifty songs everyone should know' can be interpreted two ways. One way is 50 songs that are very well known, so that the person who doesn't know them is left out. This would explain such titles as Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer and Yellow Submarine.

The other definition would be 50 songs everyone should know because they are of high quality or convey something worth thinking about.

I'm not complaining or advocating, just observing.
=========
In case anybody else is looking for tunes to play, I am adding my list of songs for the dulcimer, along with the starting note.

Songs for dulcimer in D-A-A tuning

Across the wide Missouri/ Shenandoah---------- A
Adieu, Madras                                                 A
All creatures of our God and king-----------------        D
All my trials (blues)        A
All through the night---------------------------------        D
Annie Laurie                                                   F#
Aran boat song                                                 B
As we march-ed down to Fenario......................D
Ascot gavotte (key of A)                                  C#
Ash grove                                                         A
Auld lang syne -------------------------------------- A
Aura Lee ........................................................ A
Banks of the sweet primroses                            D
Barcarolle=========================== F#
Beautiful savior---------------------------------------        D
Believe me if all these endearing young charms F#
Bendemeer's stream---------------------------------        A
Bicycle built for two=================== hi A
Blest are they                                                    A
Blind Mary..........................................E, key of A
Braw lads o' Galla water                                  C#
Bridget O'Malley ===================A (6.5)
Bright morning stars are shining                F# or C#
Camptown races...............................................E
Can ye sew cushions =================== F#
Cockles and mussels                                        A
Colorado trail (blues) .................................... C#
Come all ye pretty maidens, wherever ========D
Come Christians, for to sing------------------------ D
Come, lord, come lord Jesus (maranatha)          F#
Come ye faithful, raise the strain                         D
Come ye shepherds (Infant lowly)...................A lo
Country gardens (key of A)                            hi A
Courante - Praetorius =================== A
Day now is done, there's a star..west                  D        
Deck the hall................................................ hi A
Deryn pur                                                    A hi
Dillon Bay............................................. C# (6.5)
Dona nobis pacem                                             D
Down by the Riverside....................................F#
Down by the sally gardens---------------------------D
Down in the valley                                             A
Drink to me only with thine eyes........................C#
Country gardens.............................................A hi
Fanny Power                                                    A
Farewell to Ballymony -------------------------------E
Farewell to Tarawathie        .D
First Noel =======================F# or C#
Flow gently, sweet Afton---------------------------        A
For the beauty of the earth        D
Galway Bay------------------------------------------        E
Go tell aunt Rhodie                                           F#
God of day and God of Darkness                        D
Grandfather's clock                                           A
Guantanamera ========================        D
Happy Farmer                                                 A
Happy Wanderer -------------------------E, key of A
He flies thru the air with the greatest of ease........
He is an Englishman                                          G
He shall feed his flock ================ A hi
Here I am, lord--------------------------------------- D
Hector the hero.............................................A lo
Hi lili, hi lili hi lo                                              A lo
Holly and the Ivy                                              D
Holy God, we praise thy name----------- ---------D
Holy, holy, holy                                                 D
Holy manna..................................................A lo
How brightly beams the morning star-------------        D
Huna blentyn....................................................A
I can't help falling in love with you                     D
I dream of Jeanie (uses G#) ============== B
I gave my love a cherry        A
I know where I'm going-----------------------------        D
I see the moon        A
In the bleak midwinter......................................F#
In Thee is gladness                                        A hi
Irish washerwoman                                        A hi
I've got sixpence...............................................F#
Jacob's ladder ....................................... F# or C#
Jeannie with the lt brown hair                            B
John, must you lend...horse (key of A)                E
Kelvingrove ==========================        D
Kerry Dancing
King of love my shepherd is------------------------        D
Kum by Yah                                             D or A
Lavender's blue-------------------------------      A hi
Leaving of Liverpool                                        D
Lo how a rose e'er blooming =============A hi
Loch Lomond-----------------------------------------        D
Long, long ago        D
Lord Haddo's favorite------------------------------        E
Lord of all hopefulness/be thou my vision        D
Lord, you have come                                       F#
Merry Widow Waltz--------------------------------        A
Minuet by Paderewsky                                  hi A
Mingulay boat song ......................................... A
Minuet in "G" - Bach                                     hi A
Month of January                                             C#
Morning has broken                                  D or A
My gal Sal (blues) ?
Ned of the hill                                                   D
Never love thee more-------------------------------A
Now is the month of maying............................. D
O come, little children                                     A hi
Oh, Susannah....................................................D
Of the Father's love begotten ============== D
Old Black Joe, key of A---------------------------   A
O sacred head, surrounded, key of A                C#
On the bridge of Avignon==================D
On top of Old Smokey..................................... A
Only a shadow, key of A                                  A
Pack up your sorrows----------------------------   F#
Paper of pins (make up B line)                           A
Peace in the valley (blues) ============= A
Polly-wolly doodle        D
Plaisir d'amour (make up variations)                   A
Praise to the Lord------------------------------------        D
Preacher went down (blues)                            A
Que sera, sera ............................................... D
Red river valley        A
River (Bill Staines)        D
Roses from the south....................................... A
Salve regina, key of A                                       A
Seeman, lass das Traumen...                              E
Seek ye first                                                    F#
Shepherd's wife's waltz                                  A lo
Shores of Ponchatrain-------------------------------        A
Sidewalks of New York                                 hi A
Since I met you, baby (blues)............................C#
Smile a while                                                   F#
Snowy-breasted pearl ================= A hi
Songs of thankfulness & praise                      A hi
Spring has now unwrapped the flowers        D
Stars of the summer night---------------------------        A
Steal away                                                       D
Stewball-----------------------------------------------        A
Table of plenty                                       F# or C#
Tell me why                                                      A
Tennessee Waltz-------------------------------------A
10th Batn Highland Light inf'try c'ing the Rhine        D
Think on me ========================= F#
This joyful Eastertide                                        A
Ting, ting, ting---------------------------------------        F#
'Tis pretty to be in Ballinderry                            D
There's a wideness in God's mercy.....................D
Trumpet voluntary                                             D
Water is wide-----------------------------------------        A
Way dwn upn the Suwannee Rivr, key of A    C#,
We gather together                                     E (6.5)   
When cockleshells (waly, waly) ========== A hi
When I fall in love, it will be forever ................   A
When you and I were young, Maggie               A hi
While strolling in the park one day===========
Wildwood flower   C#          key of A but uses a G
Who's gonna hold her hand?------------------------        A
Wild mountain thyme
With someone like you, a pal good and true         A
Wreck of the sloop John B ================A
Yellow bird ...................................................hi A

Songs in D-A-G tuning
Are you sleepin', Maggie?                               ?
Banks and braes of Bonnie Doon                A 1st
Black is the color of my true love's hair------E 5th
Blow the candle out                                    A 1st
Bonnie light horseman                         A 1st (6.5)
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound---    E 5th
Cantigas (work on cantigas)
Come all you pretty maidens,
       wherever you be                                 C 3rd
Come you merry lads & lasses (madrigal).. D 4th
Darlin' Corey-------------------------------------G 0
Dissembling love                                        A 1st
Dove she is a pretty bird ---------------- E 5th (6.5)
Dowie dens of Yarrow=============== A 1st
Drunken sailor..................................   E 5th (6.5)
Elm tree branches----------------------------- C 3rd
Froggie went a-courting------------------------A 1st
Gather us in                                       A 1st (6.5)
    play 2nd phrase on parallel A & D strings
God rest ye merry, gentlemen ................... A 1st
The great silkie                                          D 4th
Gwcw fach==================    E 5th (6.5)
Here I sit on Buttermilk hill.............          F 6th
I got a mule and her name is Sal                A 1st
If you miss the train I'm on                        C 3rd
Jesus walked the lonesome valley ======= G 0
Johnny, I hardly knew you                         A 1st
Let all mortal flesh keep silence                A 1st
Man of constant sorrow.......................... E 5th
Masters in this hall                                  A 1st
Motherless child ================== E 5th
My lord, what a morning---------------    F (6/5)
Now the green blade rises (Noel nouvelet)A 1st
Nyth a gog                                              E 4th
O come, o come, Emmanuel ................. A 1st
Old Chisholm trail----------------------------A 1st
Row your boat to Jesus' side========= D 4th
Scarborough Fair                            A 1st (6.5)
Scheherazade themes
Singers, sing                                           E 5th
Star of the County Down-------------------C 3rd
Summertime Porgy & Bess ====== A hi 8th
Sweet the evening air of May................. A 1st
Sweet Willie and Lady Margot                E 5th
Swing low, sweet chariot-----------      F# 6 1/2
Turn ye to me---------------------------------A 1st
Two young brothers marched away         D 4th
Wayfaring stranger--------------------------A 1st
Wild Rover ====================    E 5th


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 03:50 PM

Rock-a my soul!

Thanks. You have given me an idea for the offertory song this Sunday. Rock-a my Soul followed by Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. It will contrast the innocent acceptance of childhood (esp. Girl Scouts) with the peaceful countenancing of death.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Anna-wa
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 09:13 PM

1. Polly Wolly Doodle
2. Rock-A My Soul
3. The National Anthem


And oh too many to name.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Aug 08 - 12:58 PM

Okay.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: dulcimerman
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 08:59 PM

Yes When its hog calling time in the valley is a song. My parents used to have a 78 record.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 04:26 PM

I always liked the Jolson songbook particularly

You made me love you
By By Blackbird
April Showers

fred Astaire had some good hits as well

Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain
the Way you look tonight

and two songs from the Roaring Twenties Movie

It had to be you
I'm just wild about Harry


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 11:46 AM

Are you sure it's a song, dulcimerman? That sounds like one of those joke titles for an imaginary country song.

Somebody commented somewhere above that these lists are slanted toward 'the old folkie.' Actually, I think they contain older songs because very few current songs have a melody.

I have tried to define melody, and I've decided that melody is the mysterious characteristic that makes a set of notes easy to remember. Thus, songs with a good melody end up on lists of songs to teach other people.

I appreciate the effort people have gone to in making these lists. I have perused them and found 15 tunes to try out for my mtn dulcimer repertoire.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: dulcimerman
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 07:59 AM

Does any one have the lyrics for Hog Calling Time.
the one I am looking for starts out as best I can remember,
When its hog calling time in the valley I'll be calling my darling to you.
dulcimerman


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: topical tom
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 01:40 PM

Another full version albeit not done by Tom Paxton. It's here.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: topical tom
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 01:27 PM

"Peace Will Come" by Tom Paxton.It's on this site


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: The Mole Catcher's Apprentice (inactive)
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 12:03 PM

"NEVER EVER to be sung especcially Puff the Magic Dragon, useless"

personally I'll sing Puff the Magic Dragon just as often as my youngest wants to hear it.

Maori farewell songs are not a big part of my cultural background, so forgive if I give them a miss.

Charlotte (whistle while you work)


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Sammy Rich
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 10:28 AM

Well, this has been a good exercise. I found the more I worked on my list the more painfully aware that now I should go and learn these 50 songs myself. At the least, this is what I consider are a fairly well rounded, excluding much of the european, mid-east, far east, south american, central american and anywhere else but here in the good ole USA. Sorry world, we have adopted many of your good songs and forgotten the rest. My list follows.

Eatin Goober Peas
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
Elephant Fair, Bessie Jones
Juba, Bessie Jones
Where are you Going, My Pretty Little Miss? Jean Ritchie
Shady Grove, almost anyone's version
Froggie Went a Courtin, Wooing, etc., at least two versions
Mary Mack, the British version
Coonshine, Bessie Jones
The Beggarman, Clancy Brothers
Sittin' on the dock of the Bay, Otis
St. James Infirmary, both in a minor and a major key
Minnie the Moocher, Cab Callaway
Motherless Children
What a Day for a Daydream, John Sebastian
In the Pines, In the Pines
African American Spirituals 1 of 5 - you pick em
African American Spirituals 2 of 5 - you pick em
African American Spirituals 3 of 5 - you pick em
African American Spirituals 4 of 5 - you pick em
African American Spirituals 5 of 5 - you pick em
Black Jack Davie
Blues Stay Away from Me, Doc
Precious Lord, Doc's version
Keep on the Sunny Side
Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad
Star in the East (sacred harp song) Almeeda Riddle
Beryuzoviye Kalyechke, Russian Gypsy, Theodore Bikel
Rock-a-bye Baby
Wondrous Love
Wayfarin' Stranger
Hame afore the gale, Murray Shoolbraid
The Purple People Eater
The Drunken Sailor
Draw Me a Bucket of Water, Bessie Jones
Ring a round the Rosie
Home, Home on the Range
America the Beautiful
Hatikvoh
Virgin Mary, Joan Baez
As I Went Down in the Valley to Pray, Doc
The Parting Glass
Auld Lang Syne
Broom o'er the Cowdenknowes
I Wished I was a Rock. Alex Campbell
Eileen Aroon
All Along the Watchtower
Oh Death, Dock Boggs
Hush Little Baby
All the Pretty Little Horses


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: skarpi
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 09:09 AM

well all ,in what country ? you r not going sing " god bless america "
or " God bless USA " in Europe or here in Iceland , I dont know about England , and most of the at least those 42 songs are from US
only few Irish ., so I say in what country I can easy play 50 songs from Iceland , but only few people would know those songs if I would sing them here .

but good effort go on , its nice to see what people are doin

ATB Skarpi Iceland


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 09:01 AM

Hi Richard

I'd inlclude those as well - done most of them at some time or another. And of course you can always do for the price of one, and get half the audience singing 'Tipperary' whilst the other half sing 'Pack Up Your Troubles'

Which lyrics are you suggesting for Co. Bogey?

Bernard


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Stringsinger
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 01:52 PM

OK, here's where I stand. Dick is right in that every song mentioned here would not
be good in a group setting but there are many that would.

I'm not sure about the selections offered that everyone should know these. I believe
that everyone should know folk songs that contain good choruses. A good chorus is
an entry level for people wanting to learn the whole song.

I'm surprised that Pete Seeger's repitiore was not mentioned here. He has done more to
get folks to sing folk songs than almost anyone.

I had a thread sometime back asking folks to suggest songs that had good singable
choruses. I didn't get any responses.

I am collecting these songs now and have an extensive list.

I'm not sure I want to hear many people sing "My Funny Valentine". It would be
a nightmare of epic proportions particularly played with five-string banjo accompaniment.
"Blue Skies" might work though.

This is a folk music site so I had hoped that there would be more folk songs mentioned than the standard pop songs of the Twenties, Thirties etc.

Songs like "Nine Pound Hammer", "This Land is Your Land", variations of "Lowlands Low"
(which has a great chorus), "Beans, Bacon and Gravy".....in other words, songs that have a tradition and history and not pop necessarily. There are so many folk songs that people ought to know reflecting their respective traditions, cultures and histories that would be more useful than the commercial music industry output.

Variations for example of "The Wind and The Rain"...Horton Barker's "Two Sisters" which has the great chorus of "Bow and Balance to Me", some of the American cowboy songs
such as "Strawberry Roan", "Old Chisholm Trail" and others like that.

How about some of the traditional Appalachian songs that have great choruses, "Jubilee",
"Goin' Down to Cairo", even the standard "Cindy" and "Old Joe Clark". Play Party Songs, Spirituals, In the Irish trad,there are quite a few mentioned above. "Wild Mountain Thyme" or "Paddy's Green Shores" "I'll Tell Me Ma" but what about the beautiful "Down In The Valley"? ("Connemara Cradle Song")

In short, get away from the standard pop fare of any of the years and concentrate on all the wonderful folk songs that are not being sung today that people should know.

Frank Hamilton


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 07:52 AM

Hmm. Very few English songs that anyone ought to know it seems.

Surely almost all English know at least part of
"My old man (said follow the van)" and
"Any Old Iron" and probably a few bits of
"Sam Hall".
"Leaving of Liverpool" is English too please. And of course
"the Wild Rover".
"Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner". Perhaps a few snatches of
"The Foggy foggy Dew"
"Dirty Old Town"
"Liverpool Lullaby" (didn't Cilla Black record it?)
"A mother was washing her Baby one night" (recorded by Cream)
"A long way to Tipperary" (Irish, but British Army marching song)
"Colonel Bogey"
"Pack up your troubles"

Surprisingly, "Men of Harlech" is not on the Welsh list.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Sara Jane
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 10:57 PM

I agree with many of the songs mentioned, most of which are very common. But there are some excellent historical songs that very clearly express pivital points in history I think should be taught more than they are. Off the top of my head these include:

Blacksmith of Brandywine (American Revolution)
March on Fort Sackville (Seige against a French fort in Indiana during French & Indian War)
Marching to Georga (Civil War song)
Lorena (Civil war Song)
Battle of Shilo Hill (Song imortalizing one of the Bloodiest battles of the civil war.
Bread and Roses (Union Song)
Solidaridy Forever (Union Song)
Byker Hill (Mining Song)
Blantyre Explosion (Song about a Mining Disaster)
Drill ye Tarrers Drill (Mining Song)


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Bugsy @ Work
Date: 16 May 02 - 11:13 AM

Thank you very much DMcG!

I'm not a guest, by the way, I'm just on the work computer. Forgot to put in the old nickname.

Whoops!

CHeers

Bugsy


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: 53
Date: 16 May 02 - 10:31 AM

My Girl, Cotton Fields, Rocky Top, Double shot, just to name a few more.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: DMcG
Date: 16 May 02 - 10:10 AM

The thing about "Yellow Submarine" is that it is a song that everyone - five years and up - actually does seem to know. As such, it has a value in social situations that songs I would think of as better, such as "Prince Heathen", cannot provide. Take any coach outing and start singing Yellow Submarine and everyone will join in. Try that with most of the music I love and you'll be doing a solo.

I would not advocate teaching people people to SING Yellow Submarine, but I would certainly be happy use it to teach simple rhythms and basic melodies. If kindergarten kids can them go back home and play the tune and have people recognise it, then that's great and makes it well worth a place on my list!


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 16 May 02 - 09:53 AM

many of these mentions would be on my list of songs consigned to the dung heap of history, NEVER EVER to be sung especcially Puff the Magic Dragon, useless, (but that is a whole other thread) Yellow Submarine! Please! as if! a FEW decent ones though on the list. On idea might be for everyone to scroll through the DT alphabetically and tick off the songs 1, they know, 2, they sing, 3, they think everyone should sing. Not that many of the lot, I should think.

but one song that everyone SHOULD know AND sing, is the Maori Farewell Song, 'Now is the Hour' words & music here:

http://members.tripod.com/NZFolkie/poatarau/


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: DMcG
Date: 16 May 02 - 03:41 AM

refresh to overcome the DayOut (so named for all John Wyndham fans) and to see if the US would have any other Child Ballads as the common set. As before, we are talking about songs everyone knows, rather than us addicts.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: DMcG
Date: 14 May 02 - 07:27 AM

The Child Ballad point is an interesting one. I deliberately excluded them because I thought I would go through the set separately and see which ones I reckon are still very widely known. I agree that Barbara Allan and and Lord Randall are still up there in the UK, as is The Raggle-Taggle Gypsy. The Cherry Tree Carol does well at Christmas and many people know, but few love, "Blow Away the Morning Dew" because it was a school-standard. John of Hazeldean (or more likely Jock) probably finishes the set that 90%+ of UK people know.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 14 May 02 - 02:24 AM

When the saints go marching in


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 May 02 - 05:09 PM

This is a fascinating exercise! When I compare the lists that have appeared here with a list I have in my head of songs that were considered "essential repertoire" for a singer of folk songs when I first started (early Fifties), I am amazed at some of the songs that are not here! There seems to be a scarcity of Child ballads, for example. Two of the most popular, that practically everyone, including non-singers knew, were Barbara Allen and Lord Randal. Of course, our repertoires were largely shaped by what books and records were available at the time. But I'm still amazed at some of the songs that no longer seem to make the cut.

I'll be busy for the next day or two, but I'll think about this, make a list, and be back.

Don Firth


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Gareth
Date: 13 May 02 - 05:00 PM

Pure Discrimination against us Welsh !

Lets try 5
The Bells of Rhymney
Cosher Bailey
Sospan Fach
Greshford
and if you know yer history, and economic migration The Leaving of Liverpool

Gareth


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: DMcG
Date: 13 May 02 - 03:12 PM

I'm not sure I could really do a UK list, but here's some that I think any Northerner would know at least well enough to join in the chorus. I will also leave out things like "Happy Birthday", so I'll stick to 10: 5 Northern, 5 other. I am reminded though of another Alex Glasgow song

He sings the "Blaydon Races" (which he needed to rehearse)
But cannot quite remember if there is a second verse

So:

    1. Blaydon Races
    2. Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie, Laddie
    3. Cushie Butterfield
    4. The Lambton Worm
    5. Up the Row
    6. I'm Shy, Mary Ellen
    7. Bicycle Made for Two
    8. A Long Way to Tipperary
    9. Yellow Submarine
    10. The Wheels on the Bus (!)


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: SharonA
Date: 13 May 02 - 02:33 PM

OH! FIFTY songs!! *whew* You scared me, Joe; at first glance I read the thread title as "Filthy Songs Everyone Should Know".

Time for me to get new glasses!


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 May 02 - 02:00 PM

I enjoy seeing lists from people who actually live in the countries I only read about. So many of the songs from other countries that I'm familiar with came from books such as The Book of a Thousand Songs (click here), which was published in the US, lists songs by country and purports to know which songs are common in other countries...go figure.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 02 - 01:20 PM

I'd like to see your list, DMcG; and I'd also like to see lists from England, Scotland, and Australia. If I were compiling such a list, I think I'd pick songs that are a real part of the history and culture of a nation - not just really good songs that an individual thinks should be introduced. I question some on the "official" list of 42 that Sail (click) posted above.
-Joe Offer-


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: DMcG
Date: 13 May 02 - 03:47 AM

Maybe its because I'm British, but there's an alarming number of these I don't know - perhaps I need to go to Summer Camp. I was OK with Joe and Tiger's lists, but when the 'official' list was posted by Sail there were 11 of the 42 I didn't know - or at least recognise by name.

I reckon the UK 'Catters need to put together a list of songs "everyone" knows to make the US Catter's feel ignorant :-)


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: fat B****rd
Date: 13 May 02 - 03:29 AM

I don't know if I missed a thread on it but the Guinness survey producing the 100 best songs of all time is quite alarming. Mind you at the same time it gives us hipsters a chance to be really holier than everybuggerelse.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST,Lucius
Date: 13 May 02 - 12:08 AM

Thanks Joe,

Its bad enough that parents aren't teaching their kids to tie their shoes or say the alphabet, now I have to teach them "Oh Susannah". I'll check this thread to see if there is anything else that they may be missing, then I'm off to reset my cookie.

Lucius


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Subject: RE: Essential songs for kids
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 May 02 - 06:51 PM

Hi, Lucius - a while back, we had a thread called Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know (click). Take a look. In fact, why don't we continue the discussion in that thread so it's unbroken?
-Joe Offer-
Now that Lucius has seen my message, I've moved us over to the "50 Songs" thread.
-Joe Offer-


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Subject: Essential songs for kids
From: GUEST,Lucius
Date: 12 May 02 - 06:19 PM

I'm looking for opinions on songs that every schoolkid should know. I know that I've seen at least one thread on this topic. Unfortunately, my supersearches are in vain. If anyone can locate one of the old threads, could they post to it and let this thread die. Thanks a'bunchum.

Lucius


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 07:32 PM

Thread is long I browsed Quickly but I didn't see
JOHN HENRY on any American list that juswt aint right.
also Death letter blues,Delia,trouble in mind, sittin on top of the world, this litle light of mine, shady grove, little sadie,and the walkin blues


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Airto
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 05:05 AM

An international list:

Bye Bye Blackbird
The White Cliffs of Dover
Danny Boy
Tipperary
Juantanamera
Will you go, lassie, go
Molly Malone
Tulips from Amsterdam
Lily Marlene
Je ne regrette rien
Just one cornetto (help, what's the real title?)(O sole Mio)
Girl from Ipanema
Sweet Chariot
Summertime
Edelweiss
Yellow Submarine
Waltzing Matilda

These are not personal favourites, but everybody in Europe, and presumably North America too, knows at least the melodies to these songs, and they're not too difficult to sing (unlike many listed above, eg Whiter Shade of Pale).


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Burke
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 08:54 PM

Did anyone notice that the person who revived this thread (ecat) wanted information on He's Got the Whole World in His hands?

I used several search engines & didn't find anything other than words. You might want to try a local library & look for books on the history of Negro Spirituals. The subject search you want is Spirituals (Songs)

To get more information on Mudcat, you should try starting a new thread with the title of the song in it so it's not buried as it is here.


Click here for the "Whole World" Discussion.Thanks.
-Joe Offer-


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Robby
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 10:05 AM

After having read through the entire listing of songs in this thread, I was surprised to see that no one had suggested either Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman. If I somehow missed them in an earlier, my apologies.

Also, if it hasn't already been named for the Irish List, I'd like to include The Old Man.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Metchosin
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 02:31 AM

but of course! There is a Tavern in the Town


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 02:07 AM

Damn good list, Brendy....

Okay.

Canadian songs:

Une Canadien Errant (I hope I spelled it right)
Four Strong Winds
Someday Soon
O Canada
Summer Wages
Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Pussywillows, Cattails
Piney Wood Hills

American Songs:

Blowin' In The Wind
The Times They Are A-changin'
Don't Think Twice It's All Right (go ahead and bitch...)
Like A Rolling Stone
Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Just Like A Woman
Sounds of Silence
City of New Orleans
Mr. Tambourine Man

British Songs:

Ziggy Stardust
God Save The King/Queen
Numerous Beatles songs....
Several Rolling Stones songs...

German songs:

Lili Marlene
And many others, which I can't think of right now...how about some help on this, Wolfgang?

Christmas songs:

Hark the Herald Angels
Silent Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem

And some others:

Whiter Shade of Pale
On The Road Again

I could go on all night, but it's late and I'm tired. "Adieu, kind friends, adieu..."

- LH


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Metchosin
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 02:04 AM

esoul, if you start a new thread with your request asking for help along with the title, you may get some assistance. Requests for info in threads on other topics sometimes get missed.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Hutzul
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 12:36 AM

All God's Children Got a Place in the Choir

La Donna E Mobile


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Ely
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 01:58 AM

Actually, I think I could sing 40 of those 50 and fudge the last 10 if I had to (not that anyone would want me to . . . where's that "can singing be taught" thread?). Not fair of me to call 'em, otherwise.

If anyone think's I'm completely obsessive for putting those in alphabetical order, I'm working on compiling a songbook for personal use, so I have a list of them right on the computer.


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: PoohBear
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 01:04 AM

Sixteen Tons


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: jacko@nz
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 12:37 AM

there's an impressive list of "should knows" but i think that If everyone could stand up on their own and sing just ten songs that they liked there would be a whole lot more singing going on


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Subject: RE: Fifty Songs Everyone Should Know
From: Ely
Date: 02 Oct 00 - 12:17 AM

You asked for it . . .

1)All The Pretty Little Horses; 2)Baby Tree (there's an island way out in the sea . . .); 3)Banks of the Ohio; 4)Blowing in the Wind; 5)Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie; 6)Captain Kidd; 7)City of New Orleans; 8)Coal Tattoo; 9)Damned old Piney Mountains; 10)Darcy Farrow; 11)Dark as a Dungeon; 12)Don't Think Twice; 13)Early Morning Rain; 14)Few Days; 15)Freight Train; 16)Friendly Beasts; 17)Galveston Flood; 18)Ginny's Gone to Ohio; 19)Goober Peas; 20)Good-Night, Irene; 21)Grandfather's Clock; 22)Hobo's Lullaby; 23)House of the Rising Sun; 24)How Can I Keep From Singing?; 25)I'll Fly Away; 26)I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry; 27)Jamaica Farewell; 28)Jesse James; 29)Joe Hill; 30)Jute Mill Song; 31)Last Thing On My Mind; 32)Leaving On A Jet Plane; 33)Lodi; 34)Lost Highway; 35)Molly and Tenbroucks; 36)1913 Massacre; 37)No More Auction Block; 38)Old Chisholm Trail; 39)Pack Up Your Sorrows; 40)Pallet on the Floor; 41)Railroading on the Great Divide; 42)Rivers of Texas (or whatever you call it); 43)Sammy's Bar; 44)Skye Boat Song; 45)Streets of Laredo; 46)Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; 47)Waltzing Matilda; 48)Waterbound; 49)Who Will Sing For Me?; 50)Will the Circle Be Unbroken?


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