Homefun on Folksongs and Ballads
Although Brunvand indicates there is no widespread or specific agreement
on exactly what a folksong is, he does offer his own fairly clear and concise
definition: a folksong "consists of words and music that circulate orally
in traditional variants among members of a particular group."
To study folksongs, at least in a worthwhile way, we would need to know something
about the particular group. Simply looking at the music/lyrics can often lead
to misunderstanding. For example, Scottish ballads often refer to incest and murder
and, if viewed separate from the culture, this might easily lead one to mistakenly
believe the Scots were more active in these areas than other groups. Further,
the uses and function of the music should be considered. For example, the music
might be used (employed) for dancing, entertainment or religious services.
The function (significance) of the music might be to communicate, express emotion
or place one in a trance state. After you complete the assigned reading and visits
to other internet sites, you should be able to briefly discuss/explain or provide
an example of the following.
What are the differences between folksong, art song, and popular song? 
What is a wordless folksong, near song, functional song, lyrical folksong?
What qualifies a folksong as a ballad? What characteristics are common
to the traditional ballad as collected by Child? (stanza form, rhyme,
diction, refrains, repetition, stereotyped phrases, media res?)
What qualifies a folksong as folk blues? What are some typical uses
and functions of folk blues? What effect has folk blues had on popular
song or art song?
