“Will You Go, Lassie, Go” – Joan Baez
from a 1965 performance in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Videos
“Lonesome Traveler” by The Limelighters
A 1963 performance by one of the best known trio of folk music’s Second Wave.
“John Henry” – The Smothers Brothers
Opening their variety show, The Smothers Brothers present their take on the traditional 19th century folk song.
“Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” – The New Christy Minstrels
In this 1963 performance, the audience is encouraged to participate by singing along on the chorus – which was known by all the college students attending.
“Little Boxes” by Pete Seeger
Seeger challenges youth to examine what their future paths will be; rather than the stereotypical, cookie-cutter patterns of education and career, he implicitly encourages the path not taken by the crowd.
“Good God Almighty” – Lightning Washington
Washington, a prisoner in 1933 at the Darrington State Prison Farm in Texas, is backed by other prisoners in this John Lomax recording. The steady pulse of the rhythm was designed to accompany digging, chopping, or other type of repetitive physical work, and to make the activity less tedious.
“Hard Times” by Woody Guthrie
One of the earliest Guthrie recordings, this was one of many Library of Congress recordings he made with John and Alan Lomax.
“How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?”
This country/folk song performed by the Coon Creek Girls, and accompanied by traditional acoustic instruments (guitar, bass, and banjo) with three-part vocal harmony, shows the influence of the 12-Bar-Blues structure on some folk music.