As a part of the Kodály-based music education at Cedar Classical Academy, folk songs are utilized to
teach musical concepts. Folk songs originate from a particular region and are passed down through
generations by means of oral tradition.
Aside from their value as a stepping stone towards music literacy, why do these songs rightly belong in a
student’s education?
Folk Songs Connect the Present to the Past
Folk songs give a voice to the stories of past lives. Ballads narrate stories, work songs cheer the spirits,
shanties spur sailors, spirituals express the yearning of slaves for freedom and heaven. The lyrics in
these songs shed light on the shared human experiences of joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, victories
and loss, life and death. As musical snapshots, they provide valuable insights into the social, political,
and economic circumstances of a particular time and place in history.
Folk Songs Contain Delightful Words & Imagery
Folk songs are mostly short and simple, yet beautiful and memorable. They often employ nursery
rhymes, poems, word play, and imagery. The lyrics range from poignant and contemplative to playful
and whimsical. They expand and enrich a student’s vocabulary and imagination.
Folk Songs Restore the Human Practice of Singing Together
Although communal, spontaneous singing has become a rarity, there was a time when singing aloud
together was a daily practice within a community. It was not a strange occurrence to break into lively
songs at home, on the road, in the tavern, or aboard a sailing ship. Having a commonly shared
repertoire of songs builds a sense of rooted identity within a community.
I love hearing from families in our school when an older sibling teaches an amusing folk song to
younger ones at home, or when their children spontaneously break into a shanty while loading things in
the car for a road trip. Singing brings everyone together.
Folk Songs Preserve Cultural Heritage & Traditions
Folk songs were passed down from one generation to the next without written music. As singing has
become less of a part of everyday life, many of them would have been lost if it were not for the work of
some notable folklorists, ballad hunters, and song catchers. From the last half of the 19th century into
the 20th century, there was a widespread preservation effort to collect, notate, and record folk music.
The rich repertoire of American folk music reflects our nation’s history and the melting pot of cultural
heritage and traditions that shape our country’s identity. We sing them because they are worthy to be
preserved and passed on to the coming generations.
Christin Peng has taught music at Cedar Classical Academy since 2019. Click here to read her bio.