Our 2014/2015 School Year Folksong Selections

You can see our Youtube Playlist here 

but it doesn't include all of our choices this year.

Remember: participation, not perfection. -Lynn Bruce

We haven't ever followed the rotation at Ambleside Online for hymns, composer study, art study, or folksongs. But, really, why try to reinvent the wheel? Kwim? Actually, I wouldn't say we are following it exactly this year either; but closer than any other year!

This year we are focusing on folksongs. It won't be in place of composer or hymns; those will still be included in our days/weeks. We will be more diligent to include more folksongs. Why are we focusing on folksongs? (from Y11 note)

"From Wikipedia: The terminal state of the loss of folk music can be seen in the United States and a few similar societies, where except in isolated areas and among hobbyists, traditional folk music no longer survives. In the absence of folk music, many individuals do not sing. It is possible that non-singers feel intimidated by widespread exposure in recordings and broadcasting to the singing of skilled experts. Another possibility is that they simply cannot sing, because they did not sing when they were small children, when learning of skills takes place most naturally. Certainly it is very common for contemporary Americans to claim that they cannot sing.
There is anecdotal evidence that the loss of singing ability is continuing rapidly at the present time. As recently as the 1960s, audiences at American sporting events collectively sang the American national anthem before a game; the anthem is now generally assigned to a recording or to a soloist.
Inability to sing is apparently unusual in a traditional society, where the habit of singing folk song since early childhood gives everyone the practice needed to able to sing at least reasonably well." -emphasis mine

That and I personally cannot recall hardly any of the songs I was taught when I was younger. I think it's important to make a connection with culture- another way for the science of relations to be realized. 

Here are the folksongs we will be focusing on this year:

Term 1:
1688-1730 (Y9)
The Sky Boat Song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ATL4Nfi5-A (lyrics: http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/skyboat.html)

The Ballad of the Green Mountaineers- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KcJTP8nW8&feature=youtu.be (lyrics on the page)

WWI (Y11)
Over There- http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/overthere.htm (lyrics on the page)

It’s a Long Way to Tipperary- http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/itsalongwaytotipperary.htm (lyrics on the page)

There’s a Little Blue Star in the Window -http://www.archeophone.com/sounds/2001/2001-210.mp3 (can't find the lyrics to this one)
Or Danny Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jgma--0WYU 

AO Rotation
Barbara Allen- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPdbHfgM0h0&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv

Term 2:
1730-1786 (Y9)
The Water is Wide- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opfEk_Yoksk

Johnny’s Gone for a Soldier- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCdo-KjiTlc lyrics on the page

WWII (Y11)
White Cliffs of Dover- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuHYnzWHS7o 

AO Rotation
Billy Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKRJuLHU3Qo

Lord Randal- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMR55HoeSG4&index=6&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv 

The Keeper Did A-Hunting Go- YT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=racxiCMSClk&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv&index=14

Term 3:
AO Rotation
Yellow Rose in Texas- YT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZRisGHL7ow&index=17&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv

Pick a Bale of Cotton- YT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ILbUduwBkg

Vietnam/Civil Rights Era (Y11)
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tqtvxG8O4

Okie from Muskogee- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4AgZST_TG8