Why should we sing folk music at all?

Subject: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: MaineDog
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 03:52 PM

Since it's mostly about old fashioned racist sexist non-politically- correct stuff that we don't want our kids to know about..

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Amos
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:05 PM

OF course, one must suit oneself. For my part, I sing it because it reflects certain truths about my species and their tribulations and their feelings, loves, hatreds, conquests, and overwhelms. I guess you could say I sing them in order to honor the spirit they embody in their words, and the gumption of those who chose to write them and sing them instead of cry.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:13 PM

Why, MaineDog? Because it drives people who like Rap music slowly out of their tiny minds. ;-)

Anyway, your original point is absurd. It's a non-sequitor, frankly.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:14 PM

How about not caving into generalisations?

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:15 PM

Well that's all right for you to say.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:22 PM

Define folk music!.......(sound of running feet dodging hastily thrown old shoes etc.)

:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:23 PM

Anyway, if kids don't get to KNOW about all the stuff that went on long before they were born, then how the hell would they be able to develop any real perspective on what's happening NOW????

Remember, Pol Pot wanted to sanitize and erase the past too in order to make a "brave new Cambodia". Ha! Such impulses are highly misguided.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:52 PM

I don't sing Folk music at all! I sing it to the chosen ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: kendall
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:56 PM

I sang it because it covered a broad range of subjects. Certainly not restricted to non PC, sexist whatever.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 05:04 PM

I live. Therefore I sing.

No one has to listen, and frequently they don't.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Megan L
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 05:10 PM

All music offends someone and should therfore be banned. Please line up to place your instruments on this here bonfire for the sake of world peace. Starting wie those folk whit have fancy expensive guitars and keep forgetin tae pit oan new strings .

*Heads for under the table wie the popcorn tae watch the fireworks :)

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 05:13 PM

Because if you don't know who you have been you don't know who you are now.

This explanation however also requires that you know what folk music is.

Why is this below the line?

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 05:24 PM

I can certainly think of a few sexist songs - I can also think of several songs which feature strong and resourceful women ('Lovely Joan' or 'The Broomfield Hill' for example). Give me time and I might be able to think of some racist ones (but I'm struggling at the moment).

I don't think that any of the songs in my repertoire fall into those categories - and there are plenty more to learn which avoid those topics.

I suppose that most of my songs are quite old and could be described as 'old-fashioned'. Strangely, they don't feel old to me - not in the way that 70s pop music feels old ...

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 06:09 PM

http://www.dickmiles.com
why not,I find it more enjoyable than Pop, CW,Reggae,Rap,Punk.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 06:22 PM

Oh, I go to Peter's fountain
and what do i hear?
From the misty swamp far away
cuckoo calling clear.
YODEL

Hi, li, ra
hol di ra hol di ra
hol di ra cuckoo
repeat 2x
hol di ra hi li ra o!

What's sexist or politically incorrect about that?

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Joybell
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 06:45 PM

Who is "we"? How can I answer? I'm only me. If "we" feel that way then "we" shouldn't -- since I don't -- I do -- but that's just me.
Joy in happy confusion.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Amos
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:00 PM

Oh, I dunno -- singing about cuckoos is tricky, you know -- they're symbols after all, and the symbology has sexual connotations which might get associated with things that might remind listeners against their will that they have something a little warmer than a frozen mackerel in their pants, and that might offend them.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:00 PM

We sing folk songs because we want to tell it like it really is and not like the powers that be would have us believe that it is.

                                                      SOL

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:18 PM

Charley, I like your answer.

Also, those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.

Not all folk songs are sexist, racist -- and most of the ones that we perceive as such, weren't by the mores of the era they were from.

And a LOT of the themes are the common themes of the "folk" today and can on some level still be identified with. Besides, there's some really good turns of phrase,, good singable tunes that make you WANT to sing, and they tell a good story.

And my taste runs towards songs with a good melody and a good story to tell, unlike what's most commonly heard on the airwaves.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Beer
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:26 PM

Not all, but most of the music I sing is about things that happened. I look for songs that have a story to tell and I look for them constantly.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:41 PM

Playing folk music fulfills a need in my life that has absolutely nothing to do with owning a pet aardvark.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:46 PM

In reference to this thread, please consult the "In order not to offend..." thread. It makes a strong argument in favor of not singing folksongs...or doing anything else either that might offend someone.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 08:03 PM

Dunno about "we", but I like it. So I sing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Ernest
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 02:21 AM

We should sing it JUST BECAUSE it is old fashioned racist sexist non-politically-correct stuff that we don`t want our kids to know about...

...to show them that there was racist sexist non-politically-correct stuff before rap.

Subject: RE: BS: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 03:36 AM

It seems perfectly obvious to me that MaineDog is being ironic , in the wake of the Amazing Grace thread.

If I am mistaken, Jim, I am sure you will correct me...

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 05:37 AM

Jings but you're awfu busy rinnin' roon detecting irony lately Murray ma freend!
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: matt milton
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 05:40 AM

"Why, MaineDog? Because it drives people who like Rap music slowly out of their tiny minds. ;-)"

I like hip-hop as well as folk. They have a fair bit in common.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 05:58 AM

Like what?

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 06:46 AM

Why shouldn't we?
I do it for the best reason of all - because I can.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Schantieman
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 07:07 AM

Cos it's fun

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: TheSnail
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 07:41 AM

Cos it's there.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: mattkeen
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 08:26 AM

Origins of rap music has a lot in common with the folk "process"" as far as I am concerned. And there is a lot of very good and meaningful music in that style and, of course , a lot of garbage.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 09:08 AM

I am very good at detecting irony, Giok,
sometimes I can find it in places where nobody else can, (including the author ) :-)

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: topical tom
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 09:20 AM

Because most of it is more enlightening, meaningful and moving than the rest of the crap that is out there.And it's fun to sing something that doesn't depend almost entirely on rhythm, screaming of words (often unintelligible),and special effects.The lyrics are all-important as a rule.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 10:00 AM

oops! I didn't read the Amazing Grace thread.

I've told my husband that if they sing that stupid song at my funeral, I will come back and haunt him. It's not so much the song itself - it's the way the author's life gets more colorful with every telling.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 11:11 AM

To very loosely paraphrase Popeye the Sailor Man, I like what I like, and that's what I like!

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 11:26 AM

Yes, I think MaineDog may indeed be lampooning the "Amazing Grace" thread (which is well deserving of being lampooned). If so, well done sir! ;-)

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 11:44 AM

Is this more irony? ;-)

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 01:49 PM

I sing what I sing and I play what I play because it gives ME pleasure.

Most of my repertoire is "traditional" because I derive a special type of pleasure by being part of a musical tradition.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 02:32 PM

Well of course most of don't sing folk music, we're just into singing egocentric twaddle. I have that on good authority.

No MBE's for you shower of sell outs and 'head' music afficionados.

There are very few people who really sing 'real' folk music, and they wouldn't be caught dead hanging round with the scufflers on mudcat.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 02:37 PM

Hey, man, egocentric twaddle is what it's, like, all about! Are you totally out of touch or what? Get a life! ;-)

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: reggie miles
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 03:07 PM

I hate ironing! I like folk music because I like wrinkles.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 05:37 PM

Because I like it.

Opera singers like opera, blues singers like the blues, .....

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Don Firth
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 06:19 PM

Speaking of opera.

Why do I sing folk songs? Well. . . .

I like music and I like stories. I have occasionally commented here on how similar the plots of ballads and the plots of operas are (case in point, compare Lucia di Lammermoor and Annachie Gordon).

If I want to sing a ballad, all I need is my voice and my guitar. And I don't really need the guitar. If I want to sing an opera, I need a full orchestra and anywhere from a dozen to several hundred other people who also sing and who might have to be rehearsed a lot.

It's less expensive to sing a ballad than it is to sing an opera, and I'm not a wealthy man. And the neighbors don't complain as much about the noise.

Same problem with symphonic music. The last time I played Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, the authorities got all snarky about my firing off cannon inside the city limits.

Folk music is relatively inexpensive to perform, which is probably why it's folk music.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 06:23 PM

Because I like the way the music sounds?

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Peace
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 06:25 PM

I sing folk songs I like because I like folk songs I like.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Bert
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 06:26 PM

Dashing away with the smoothing irony.

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: RTim
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 07:08 PM

Because we love it!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: MaineDog
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 07:09 PM

Right on, Murray, you got me.
BTW, Murray was the first person I noticed on Mudcat whom I knew from the real world, and his presence here induced me to join.
We can't be too picky, or thin-skinned. I even sing pagan songs for the solstice, but I don't worship pagan gods.
Peace to all
MD=Jim+Dex

Subject: RE: Why should we sing folk music at all?
From: Gurney
Date: 11 Jan 08 - 07:18 PM

I started singing it because it was so much more powerful than the beige, ice-cream music that was pop then.

I carried on singing it because I could get away with my level of musicianship, and I couldn't/can't play jazz well enough.

I still sing it because I'm human, singing songs about humans, written by humans, and I'm old enough to generally ignore the PC brigade. Or abuse them, if they ask for it.

As Bat Goddess says up there, those who ignore history are destined to repeat it. Additionally, however, there are, IMO, worse consequences than repeating history, such as being PC with non-PC enemies.