Traditional folk songs
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.
Shenandoah
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.
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. Next up: Scarborough Fair, Whiskey in the Jar and Danny Boy.