The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #136607 Message #3122858
Posted By: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
27-Mar-11 - 03:41 PM
Thread Name: Folklore: Folk, 1954 definition?
Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk, 1954 definition?
One of the more intriguing (and convincing) aspects of the 1954 Definition hasn't been mentioned yet, to wit: The term does not cover composed popular music that has been taken over ready-made by a community and remains unchanged, for it is the re-fashioning and re-creation of the music by the community that gives it its folk character. I think the first part of this can be dismissed as ineffable twaddle (I can think of hymns and the National Anthem - even Folk Songs as they were taught in schools - talk about Ironic) but what do we make of this thing Folk Character?
Well, there is a unique quality to the Traditional Folk Song which gleams as a polished patina on a 600-year old choir stall arm rest. I'm not saying it can't be faked, but even in faking it, it's qualities are being acknowledged - something maybe folk processed and well polished by masters or master of a very exacting draft indeed. I like this a good deal actually, it draws me in to its hoary genuiness in the same way as aforementioned choir stalls. I get strange dreams when I'm working up certain traditional Folk songs - ballads can get a bit weird, but Butter & Cheese & All and Leg of a Mallard are two that really spook me, as if they carry another layer of significance.
Maybe it's going to be different for everyone, but how else do we understand Folk Character I wonder?