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American Folk Tales and Songs
Ever heard the story about the hoe-handle that was bitten by a snake? Or the one about the man in the kraut tub? These and many more tales of wry complexion are included in this collection of uninhibited tales and ballads of the Anglo-American tradition. Collected in the Appalachians, the folklore in this book reflects the hardships, humor, and creative instinct of the robust men and women who have lived in the hills of Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky for centuries.
Mr. Chase has collected a wide variety of folklore for inclusion in this volume. Here you will find tales of dry humor whose telling will enliven any friendly gathering, or the "jump" tales that literally require the teller to jump at his listener, mostly ghost stories that have enthralled generations of children and grandchildren. Here, complete with guitar chords, are American versions of old English ballads like "The Devil's Questions" and "Bold Robin Hood," and original mountain ballads like "Old Bangum and the Boar." Here too are many hymns and children's songs current in the mountains of the South. A sample of fiddle music and country games can provide inspiration for all manner of parties or family amusements.
In addition to the ballads, songs, and stories, Mr. Chase also gives such amusing folk miscellany as riddles, love-rhymes, and jokes. For anyone who seeks a wider familiarity with folk materials, Mr. Chase provides an ample list of suggested further reading and an amateur collector's guide. Notes accompanying each item identify the informant or origin and give details concerning the author's editing "For popular use."
American Folk Tales and Songs is meant to be used. The author, one of America's foremost folklorists, has presented his stories and songs so that they can increase the repertory of both storytellers and fireside singers, for folk traditions can live only through the voices and imaginations of those who love good stories and good songs.
Mr. Chase has collected a wide variety of folklore for inclusion in this volume. Here you will find tales of dry humor whose telling will enliven any friendly gathering, or the "jump" tales that literally require the teller to jump at his listener, mostly ghost stories that have enthralled generations of children and grandchildren. Here, complete with guitar chords, are American versions of old English ballads like "The Devil's Questions" and "Bold Robin Hood," and original mountain ballads like "Old Bangum and the Boar." Here too are many hymns and children's songs current in the mountains of the South. A sample of fiddle music and country games can provide inspiration for all manner of parties or family amusements.
In addition to the ballads, songs, and stories, Mr. Chase also gives such amusing folk miscellany as riddles, love-rhymes, and jokes. For anyone who seeks a wider familiarity with folk materials, Mr. Chase provides an ample list of suggested further reading and an amateur collector's guide. Notes accompanying each item identify the informant or origin and give details concerning the author's editing "For popular use."
American Folk Tales and Songs is meant to be used. The author, one of America's foremost folklorists, has presented his stories and songs so that they can increase the repertory of both storytellers and fireside singers, for folk traditions can live only through the voices and imaginations of those who love good stories and good songs.
- GenresFiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1971
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62 people want to read
About the author
Richard Thomas Chase
33 books6 followersRichard Thomas Chase [February 15, 1904 – February 2 1988) was an American folklorist and an authority on English-American folklore.
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May 18, 2022
As a compilation of English language and specifically Western European origined diverse American folklore traditions (from folktales, folksongs, narrative ballads, to games, jokes and riddles), Richard Chase's American Folk Tales and Songs is a true treasure trove (presenting not only collected tales, songs etc., but also detailed introductions, analyses, as well as a both extensive and intensive bibliographical section, with numerous intriguing, interesting suggestions for further reading and research).
However, and that all being said, if a potential reader is indeed considering American Folk Tales and Songs primarily for locating folk tales and folk songs for pleasure reading/singing, he or she must also realise and well understand that unlike the often highly edited folktale and fairytale collections of say the Brothers Grimm or even Andrew Lang's fairytale compilations, Richard Chase generally seems to have not all that much altered and changed his included, his presented American folktales etc. from their original and likely often orally transmitted original sources (and while for me, personally, this very fact makes American Folk Tales and Songs increasingly academically and folklorically interesting and enlightening, it does make, or at least it can have the tendency to render the narrative flow of especially many of the longer included stories and ballads a bit potentially awkward, stilted, and unpolished, a boon and a postitive for study and research oriented me, but perhaps not necessarily all that enjoyable for readers simply looking for entertaining tales and song selections to read, or to share, to sing with children).
And finally, furthermore, because American Folk Tales and Songs was published in 1956, it should (it must) therefore also be considered as somewhat of a historic document in and of itself, and thus ANY post 1956 primary source collections of tales, songs and the like will of course not be included in the bibliographical lists at the back (and that the introductions, analyses, Richard Chase's textual musings will also by mere necessity mirror and reflect the academia, the folkloric and anthropological mindset and philosophy of early to mid 20th century America). Still four stars, and for what American Folk Tales and Songs represents, very much highly recommended!
However, and that all being said, if a potential reader is indeed considering American Folk Tales and Songs primarily for locating folk tales and folk songs for pleasure reading/singing, he or she must also realise and well understand that unlike the often highly edited folktale and fairytale collections of say the Brothers Grimm or even Andrew Lang's fairytale compilations, Richard Chase generally seems to have not all that much altered and changed his included, his presented American folktales etc. from their original and likely often orally transmitted original sources (and while for me, personally, this very fact makes American Folk Tales and Songs increasingly academically and folklorically interesting and enlightening, it does make, or at least it can have the tendency to render the narrative flow of especially many of the longer included stories and ballads a bit potentially awkward, stilted, and unpolished, a boon and a postitive for study and research oriented me, but perhaps not necessarily all that enjoyable for readers simply looking for entertaining tales and song selections to read, or to share, to sing with children).
And finally, furthermore, because American Folk Tales and Songs was published in 1956, it should (it must) therefore also be considered as somewhat of a historic document in and of itself, and thus ANY post 1956 primary source collections of tales, songs and the like will of course not be included in the bibliographical lists at the back (and that the introductions, analyses, Richard Chase's textual musings will also by mere necessity mirror and reflect the academia, the folkloric and anthropological mindset and philosophy of early to mid 20th century America). Still four stars, and for what American Folk Tales and Songs represents, very much highly recommended!
Displaying 1 of 1 review