Origins: A book on traditional song history

Subject: RE: Origins: A book on traditional song history
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 12:59 PM

GUESTwildwoodsmama

Yeah - if you list a few of the songs in which you're interested, we can probably point you in the right direction... or provide more info than you'll find in most books!

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: A book on traditional song history
From: Brian Peters
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 12:40 PM

The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs includes extensive notes to every one of its 150 songs, many dealing directly with their origins - or at least their earliest known copies. This site has hosted many a good discussion as well.

There some interesting info on early ballads here - but it does rather depend on what kind of traditional songs you're interested in, and from what country.

Subject: RE: Origins: A book on traditional song history
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 12:30 PM

CAMSCO Music, has introduced a series of monographs?(long papers? Short books? ) that are aimed, in part at doing just that. It's our Occasional Papers in Folklore series.
   
      So far we've released Jon Lighter's Best Anti-War Song Ever Written, --- a study of the origins of "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye" ($9.95); Johm Garst's Delia ($6.95), and Bob Waltz's Gest of Robyn Hode, an analysis of how the Robin Hood Ballads in Child's collection derived from the earlier metrical romances ($16.95)
   
      Waltz's study of the Ballad King Orfeo) will be released shortly.
   
    And, of course, Child's masterwork ,The English and Scottish Popular Ballads is one of the best ways to start out learning about the background of the "big" ballads. CAMSCO's partner, Loomis House Press has re-issued this as a 5-volume set., available in either hard or soft cover.

Subject: RE: Origins: A book on traditional song history
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 11:41 AM

The nearest thing you'll find to an encyclopaedia is this forum. Which songs in particular?

Subject: Origins: A book on traditional song history
From: GUEST,wildwoodsmama
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 11:33 AM

I am trying to do some research on the origins of several different traditionals and wondering if anyone can recommend any good books??