100 REAL AMERICAN FOLK SONGS!: Original Lyrics for Ages 10-100

Do you know songs that stir your enthusiasm, that speak to you, and that you never grow tired of? Every song in this book has been precious to many, many people, and you will find new songs here that you will enjoy hearing and singing for the rest of your life.

What's special about THESE folk songs?

There are lots of folk song books. But THESE songs are the real thing - the original songs that have been sung for over 100 years because they are so good. These songs came from all around the world to be perfected in America's cities, heartlands, towns, mountains, valleys, and seashores. Many of the original lyrics were forgotten - it took research to find and update these songs, but it was worth it. You'll understand why THESE songs are still the greatest as soon as you see and sing them.

What kind of songs are in this collection?

This folk collection contains Appalachian songs, Western songs, African American songs, love songs, comedy songs, folk dances, animal songs, songs about growing up and aging, river songs, railroad songs, highway songs, and sailors' songs. This book also has sections on how to pick songs, how to select the right instrument, how to help others sing with you, and the role that folk songs play in American music history.

Where and how can I use this book?

You can sing these folk songs alone, with a partner, or with a bunch of friends. Sing along at camp and on field trips, retreats, road trips, youth groups, and folk music clubs. Entertain others at picnics, beach parties, birthdays, graduations, meet and greets, and around the campfire. And show off your folk music on cruises, at ski lodges, and on bicycling, kayaking, backpacking, and whitewater rafting trips.

People use these lyrics to practice their singing and playing, and to learn new songs. You can sing them on the Internet, in coffee shops, restaurants, street fairs, clubs, festivals, and talent shows. Or join in with pick-up bands, string bands, jug bands, folk bands, country bands, and western bands. Maybe you'd better buy two copies while you're at it.

How do folk songs help people?

Folk songs teach compassion between all individuals, past and present, and between people and all living things. They encourage us to cooperate and work together to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, many folk songs are no longer sung because they've been out of circulation for too long. When we sing these original folk songs and teach them to others, we give them a new life and new caretakers.

Enjoy!