We pass on history, join in celebration, share in sorrow, and march together in song. Language is designed to flow smoothly and metrically. Everything that we are about is formed in song and rhythm. Prior to mass documentation, history and life’s lessons were passed on through generations via mythic story telling and traditional song.

Paul Stookey once said, “I cannot think of one material object that has more status in this country, than the automobile.”(1)

I the 1960’s this may be true. Throughout time, I would like to think that the object of most significant status is not material at all. It is in music that we live breath and cultivate our future and remember our past. Nothing comes closer to reflecting this than the folk song.

What makes a folk song, a folk song? Most simply defined it is “a traditional or composed song typically characterized by stanzaic, form, and simplicity of melody.”(2) The song can be passed down orally, or newly composed, and tends to have a simple repetitive nature. Simplicity allows the song to be palatable with a broad spectrum of listeners. Joining masses seems to be a key ingredient of this style. Since “folk” ultimately means people, there are a great number of different interpretations and applications of folk music. Some passed on stories of history. Others share common dreams and aspirations.

Songs sung as a cadence have deep roots in folk history. While in USMC boot camp, our Drill Instructor would call out commands for marching. The synchronized mass of recruits readily repeated “Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right, Le-eft!” This cadence was used to both occupy your mouth, and keep the group in unity. Other cadences would tell a story, and would frequently not be repeated verbatim.

“Who-oooa, Josephine,” the Drill Instructor would cry.

“The high school beauty queen” the group would attempt to sing.

Rhythm in this application was clearly more valuable than intonation. This song was great for keeping the group united in form, yet pass the time with thoughts of our loved ones at home. This type of folk cadence has frequently been used to pass the time with repetitive work tasks like swinging a hammer on a railway or hoisting anchors and sails aboard sailing vessels.

Most American folk songs share similarity in that the lyrics have a clear message that relates directly to the times at hand. Sometimes it would be about the artists immediate experiences, loved ones, or passions. Other times a more generalized subject matter would address concerns of a larger group of people. A few American folk artists have become household names, while some with more significant impact on the development of modern music and society remain in the depths of history books and in the fond memories of a few, elderly, former patrons of American art history. When you bring up Pete Seeger’s name, many Americans look upon you with a dumfounded blank stares as if you just read them an excerpt from the Aramaic Bible. Peter, Paul and Mary, on the other hand, became a folk icon almost instantaneously.

In 1962, Peter Yarrow, Noel (Paul) Stookey, and Mary Travers released their self titled debut album Peter, “Paul, and Mary“. Since then, they have jointly and independently released over 125 records, including over 50 singles and a few re-released albums. Peter, Paul and Mary’s name has become virtually synonymous with the term ‘Folk Music.’

At the 1963 March on Washington, best remembered for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Peter, Paul and Mary were one of the key performers. One of the hit songs they performed there was, ”If I had a Hammer.” Written by Pete Seeger, this song sings of “The bell of Freedom,” “The hammer of Justice,” and “A song of love….” During these times of social and political turmoil, with the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, no words could encompass the feelings of Americans more adequately.(3)

One of my favorite performances by Peter, Paul and Mary reflects on the sorrow and wishes of a hopeless individual. This song is short, and rather simple in melody, but draws the listener to evaluate a pretty serious reality; We are all going to die, and who will be there to remember me? The way this song is presented, it subtly demands the listener to feel what the character is feeling. With a deep throaty timbre, Yarrow and Stookey in perfect harmony ponder these thoughts with “One Kind Favor.”

“There’s one kind favor I’ll ask of you… See that my grave is kept clean

There’s two white horses in a line… Carryin’ me to my buryin’ ground.

There’s three black coaches in the rain… Empty now from their heavy load.

Have you ever heard a coffin sound… Bein‘ lowered in the ground?

There’s one kind favor I’ll ask of you… See that my grave is kept clean“(1)



In 2000, a new, Pop/Celtic/Folk/Bluegrass band called Nickel Creek released their first, and self titled album with a number of Folk songs included such as, “The Fox,” ”The Lighthouse Tale,” and “Sweet Afton.” In “The Fox,” the performer again uses simplicity of melody to capture the listener‘s attention. This song addresses hunger, providing for a family, and theft, yet still this song is presented in an up tempo joyous laughable manner, much like a children’s song.

The Fox went out on a chilly night

He prayed for the moon to give him light

For he'd many a mile to go that night

Before he reached the town-o…



He ran till he came to the farmer's pen

The ducks and the geese were kept therein

He said "a couple of you are gonna grease my chin,

before I leave this town-o,…



He grabbed the great goose by the neck

And he threw a duck across his back

And he didn't mind the quack, quack

And the legs all dangling down-o



The old grey woman jumped out of bed

She ran to the window and popped out her head,

Crying John, John, the great goose is gone

And the fox is on the town-o,…



He ran till he came to his nice warm den

And there were the little ones, eight, nine, ten

Sayin' Daddy, Daddy, better go back again

For it must be a mighty fine town-o…”(4)



The wonderful thing about folk music is that is exists both independently and within all types of music. Many folk songs are not classified as such in the modern entertainment world, although a few artist have shown grace in the art of folk music since the 1960’s. I would not ask that the music industry revert to the folk of mid-twentieth century. I would ask however, why write or perform a song that has no meaning, or message? In times of such struggle and political unrest, where have all the flowers gone? One of the greatest accomplishments of Folk music throughout history is that it brought people together. By the campfire, building the railroads, sailing across the ocean or gathering peaceably in Washington, mankind has used song to demonstrate and evoke passion in a message.



References:

(1) Peter, Paul and Mary “In Concert” Warner Bros. 1964 CD

(2)”folk song” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folksong

(3)”history” Peter Paul and Mary Home page. 1996

http://www.peterpaulandmary.com/history

(4)Nickel Creek “Nickel Creek” Sugarhill. 2000 CD