“Folk Music” refers to music of “the folks.” The common people. Music that is passed on in the “oral tradition.” The words aren’t necessarily written down anywhere. The music melodies are not scored and orchestrated. Their structure is simple. Their chord patterns are not complicated or tricky. The melodies themselves are sometimes borrowed or stolen from hundreds of years ot tradition. Some of our most favored Christmas songs are old English drinking songs, for example. If you find anything written down, it will be the words (lyrics) and maybe chords above them for some accompaniment instrument.
Folk Music communicates from generation to generation stories about how things were, or might have been, or could be in the future. It is “accessible music,” meaning that you don’t have to have a college degree to understand it, don’t have to be a musician to play it or sing it. You can create it if you can tell a story. If you can play three chords on an instrument, you can accompany most folk songs ever written. But if you don’t have an instrument, a-capella is always a fine option.
If you don't spend evenings at home singing songs, you don't have the "oral tradition" established. So now your singing becomes an extension of "family reading night."
At this blog - 23 songs with their lyrics and chords, and a video you can listen to if you're desperate to sing along, or you don't remember how the melody goes. Enjoy these songs. And for an extra challenge, learn to play a musical instrument to accompany them!
Let’s start with one you all know:
ALPHABET SONG (to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle) Key C
C F C
A B C D E F G
G7 C G7 C
H I J K L M N O P
C F C G7
Q R S T U V
C F C G7
W X Y and Z
C F C
Now I know my ABC’s.
G7 C G7 C
Next time won’t you sing with me.