Odetta

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Folk music – folk songs – are a part of history. They have always been important not only to the individuals who made and perpetuated them, but to the community of people all over the world. They are about incidents, people, times, places, and feelings that we all share (regardless of how we express them). It is known that most people who are true classicists (like Spike is) also appreciate and enjoy folk music – even bluegrass. Everybody likes to tap their feet and sing a few words.

I made charts for all these songs because I love them, and we enjoy playing and singing them. We are not professional musicians, and receive no money for our musical endeavors.

I assume that those who enjoy this site and use this collection of charts are doing it for purposes of individual pleasure and/or scholarship.

With regard to the huge collection of “miscellaneous folk songs,” in cases where I knew the composer, it is so noted. Where I do not know, of course there is no such notation. If one of the songs I have in my collection is yours, please so inform me, so I can give proper credit, or remove the song.

If any words or chords need correction, please so inform me.

In this collection, there are several folksongs that show no chords. That is only because I don’t have them and thus far, have been unable to find them. There are some songs for which I don’t even know the melodies. Here’s what to do:

if you have a favorite melody or a favorite chord progression, even some riffs and “hot licks,” use that stuff on a song that you don’t recognize. Who cares? It will be fun! Folk songs evolve in just that fashion. There are probably 100 different melodies, with definite harmonies and chord progressions, for the song that we know as “Scarborough Fair.” They are all lovely. If you don’t know a melody, devise it yourself – it might even be better than the “standard” melody (if there is one).

Many of these songs have a narrative appended near the top of the song. These songs are from Roger McGuinn's Folk Den, and the narrative is his.

Shalom, from Spike the Grate.