The Importance Of Folk Music

Music defines our culture. As Americans, we listen to music while we drive our cars, are at work, doing housework, studying, etc. We have songs for special occasions: Christmas, Hanukah, birthdays, weddings, parties, etc. We have taken songs from the various cultures that make us diverse: Arabic, German, Mexican, Native American, etc. We have many genres: country, hip-hop, rap, pop, blues, jazz, rock, heavy metal, etc. And although we may think of music as simple and easy, looking at all this makes one realize how diverse and complex our music truly is. Two things that contribute to this diversity are theme and symbolism.

All cultures following prehistory had a musical background, therefore everyone can connect more effectively with a music containing a message than a speech, therefore spreading the message more effectively. “The freedom songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle” (MLK). In the case of the Civil Rights Movement, it was the prominent method to give the group a voice, represent them, and highlight their determination for social change. When times were hard for the movement, they would also rely on songs to sustain morale:

Music has been with history since the beginning. It is an important topic to know while studying history. Music that was in the era has an impact on what people did, people are influenced by the music they listen to. It is even shown in American history from the early America to the Civil War it is shown drastically how this influenced many human beings.

Primary source: Primary sources can be used to bring history and culture to life and are defined of brining direct evidence to time. A primary source can be anything from documents, objects, eyewitnesses and participants to an event.

Since the creation of the genre in the late seventeenth century, patriotic music has told the stories behind many of the songs that have now become part of the American national heritage. Since the creation of the genre in the late seventeenth century, patriotic music has told the stories behind many of the songs that have now become part of the American national heritage. Since the creation of the genre in the late seventeenth century, patriotic music has told the stories behind many of the songs that have now become part of the American national heritage.

It may seem unlikely, but songs written today can share connections with literature from the past. Washington Irving’s, “The Devil and Tom Walker,” is an example of this concept. Irving’s writing was influenced by time spent as a child, reading stories about adventure in his father’s library. The song, “As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid,” was written by Patrick Stump who wanted to portray people's hunger for money. The short story, “The Devil and Tom Walker” and the song “As Long As I Know I'm Getting Paid” share themes of religion and greed that are still relevant today.

The United States has a storied musical history, shaped by a massively diverse population and geography. “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Dixie’s Land” are two of the most important songs to American popular music history, and shaped the outcome of the Civil War and much of the past two centuries. Historically they represent entirely opposite ideals, but they interact immensely over the course of American history. Their complicated evolving relationships with society and each other represent the changing politics and culture of the United States from the Civil War to present day.

Many parts of music popular culture was created or directly influenced by Black music. Through the history of Black musical forms, each style represented a reality of the Black community, whether regionally or based on the time period and politics. Before enslaved Africans had the education to write their stories, they were told orally, often set to music. Highlighting the genius of a people, when there were ideas and stories that were adverse to those in power, Black people were able to hide their true messages in a song. This tradition never changed, even with emancipation, reconstruction, civil rights, and black power. Still oppressed in many different ways, music still captures and retells the reality of life as a

Music is an important aspect of life. It is used to express thoughts, opinions and feelings. During a time of war it can unite and incite. The music can commemorate important people and events. In times of sorrow it can comfort. Despite the differences between the North and the South, people shared a love of music, as well as a common musical culture. The music of the Civil War period illustrates the many uses of music during times of

In Philip J. Deloris’s Music chapter from his book “Indians in unexpected places” he talks about the influence that Native Americans had in music. Exploring how traditional Native music and modernity fused together. The new fusion leads to new expectations being placed on Native Americans. Native children at boarding school came out having were learning how to play new musical instruments. At the same time through music the boarding schools were trying to assimilate the Native children. He goes on to talk about Tsianina Red Feather and the impact she had on her audiences. She attracted people from all over to her performances because “her authenticity was the show’s most valuable commodity” (210). Showing that audiences wanted to see real Natives not people pretending to them.

Every country has their own history that is specific to their country. Every country has their own musical history that is also specific to their country. They are connected by the events that were happening at the time the songs were written, and often go hand-in-hand. For where I am from, folk songs about the Revolution are of great historic importance. The times around the revolution were incredibly difficult, but eventually led into one of the biggest changes my country has ever seen. Folk songs of /about those times are remembered till this day. In the United States there was also a revolution. A revolution very different compared to the one known to me, but a revolution very similar when talked about the amount of change.

Music is a way of uttering how one feels through melody. For many centuries people have listened to music to fit the tone. Even in World War One, when many were being killed, there was music written about the war. In 1914 the great war began, many creating and recreating songs to fit the war time. Many made songs to reveal the connection of the to nature and people of that time, These songs would include “I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now,” “Oh Moon On a Summer Night (Tell My Mother Her Boys All Right),” “When Yankee Doodle Learns To Parlez Vous Francais,” and “Throw No Stones In The Well That Gives You Water.” and many more. Find out more detailed and analyzations of these songs in the following paragraphs.

"In camp and hospital they sang -- sentimental songs and ballads, comic songs and patriotic numbers.... The songs were better than rations or medicine.” Music plays a huge role in our society today, and it played a huge role in our society a hundred years ago. Music is fluid, ever changing, and never the same. And yet, one thing remains constant; it tells stories, keeps records, and lift spirits.

Music is heard differently through diverse cultures, which brings new and unlike interpretations on events in history and events to

     The power of song helped slaves through their dehumanized lives. They created unity in songs of religion and denounced the power their masters held over them. They were going to rebel in all facets of life. Slaves knew “that a happy slave is an extinct man” (p.33). The meanings of these songs can not be overstated. One who knew the importance of song was Frederick Douglass. “They told a tale of woe...they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the