A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs

A treasure trove for anyone fascinated by the living music of Appalachia, this volume gathers more than three hundred traditional Kentucky songs that have survived by ear rather than print. The editors, drawing on years of fieldwork across twenty‑one counties, present everything from haunting ballads and lively dance tunes to lullabies, counting‑out rhymes and whimsical nonsense verses. Each entry offers the song’s title (or a descriptive caption when unknown), notes on variant versions, a concise metrical sketch, and a brief synopsis that helps listeners place the piece in its cultural context.

Organized into eighteen loosely defined sections—grouped by origin, form, or subject—the collection reflects the region’s rich oral heritage while acknowledging the fluid boundaries between categories. The careful documentation reveals how melodies travel, adapt, and sometimes merge with literary influences, underscoring the unity of Kentucky’s folk stock. For anyone eager to explore the rhythms and stories that have shaped everyday life in the Bluegrass State, this syllabus opens a window onto a vibrant, ever‑evolving tradition.