The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #84833   Message #1568659
Posted By: Goose Gander
22-Sep-05 - 05:14 PM
Thread Name: Dating songs (determining the age of a song)
Subject: RE: Dating songs (determining the age of a song)
I think it depends what Sharp collection you're talking about. Most of the songs and ballads in English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians are quite far removed from print antecedents, and most British emigration to the region predated the 1800-1850 time frame you reference. Of course, Sharp generally ignored sentimental
American parlor songs, and these are probably the closest parallel to the nineteenth century broadsides you mention.