The songs here have been passed from singer to singer for generations. For each one we explain where it came from, what it's about, which recordings shaped it, and how to play it.
Sea shanties
What they are, the shantyman, capstan and halyard shanties, and where to start.
American · shantyShenandoah
Traditional lyrics, meaning, history from Missouri boatmen to sailors, and chords in D.
American · blues balladThe House of the Rising Sun
From a 1925 magazine text to The Animals' 1964 number one, plus the Am progression.
AppalachianMan of Constant Sorrow
Dick Burnett's 1913 "Farewell Song", the Stanley Brothers and O Brother. Chords in G.
American spiritualWayfaring Stranger
Traditional lyrics from 1858, its roots, and recordings from Burl Ives to Johnny Cash.
BritishThe Water Is Wide
From "Waly, Waly" (1724) to Cecil Sharp's 1906 version. Lyrics and chords in D.
Child ballad 84Barbara Allen
The most widely collected song in English, first mentioned by Pepys in 1666.
North AmericanRed River Valley
Canada or Nebraska? The origin debate, the 1887 lyrics and chords in G.
WaltzDown in the Valley
Darby and Tarlton's 1927 "Birmingham Jail" and a two-chord waltz for beginners.
Fiddle tuneOld Joe Clark
The jam-session favourite in A Mixolydian, named after a real Kentucky man.
English balladScarborough Fair
From "The Elfin Knight" (c.1670) to Martin Carthy and Simon & Garfunkel. Chords in Am.
IrishWhiskey in the Jar
The highwayman ballad sung by the Dubliners, Thin Lizzy and Metallica. Chords in G.
Irish airDanny Boy
Weatherly's 1913 words set to the Londonderry Air, and what the song means. Chords in C.
Fiddle tuneSoldier's Joy
A reel played since the 1760s, Robert Burns and the dark Civil War meaning of its name.
Old-timeCripple Creek
The first tune most banjo players learn: Cecil Sharp, the 1924 recordings and chords in A.
IrishMolly Malone
Dublin's unofficial anthem: who wrote it, the legend, the statue and chords in C.
Cajun waltzJolie Blonde
The Cajun national anthem, from the Breaux Brothers in 1929 to Harry Choates' 1946 hit.
TraditionalThe Wild Rover
An English broadside turned temperance song turned pub anthem. Chords in G.
How we choose and write about songs
- Traditional first. We cover songs with no known author, or whose authors lived long enough ago that the song is in the public domain.
- Lyrics only when they are free to share. Many "traditional" songs are best known through later arrangements that are still under copyright. In those cases we describe the song and link to recordings instead of printing the words.
- Checked dates. First printings, first recordings and chart facts are checked against published sources.
- Simple chords. Chord charts are written for beginners on guitar, banjo, mandolin or dulcimer.
New songs are added every month. Want to hear the old recordings? See where to listen to historic folk recordings free.