Title from disc label. Tracks previously released between 1951-1957, 1960-1968, 1990-1999, and 2000-2012. Program notes, compiled and annotated by Jeff Place, lyrics, and full credits on container insert. Various performers.
Contents:
Shenandoah (Alan Mills) (2:45). Polly Wolly doodle (Pete Seeger, Bess Hawes, and Tom Glazer) (1:51) -- Skip to my Lou (Lead Belly) (2:15) -- I've been working on the railroad (Ella Jenkins) (2:27) -- She'll be comin' 'round the mountain (Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family) (2:44) -- John Henry (Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry) (4:08) -- Brown girl in the ring (Lord Invader) (1:49) -- Old King Cole (Jean Ritchie) (1:11) -- Green grass grows all around (Sam Hinton) (2:25) -- La rana (The frog) (Suni Paz) (2:05) -- I had a rooster (Pete Seeger) (3:55) -- Go tell Aunt Rhody (the Ritchie Family) (1:45) -- Miss Mary Mack (Ella Jenkins) (1:59) -- Yankee Doodle (Pete Seeger) (1:41) -- Rock Island line (Snooks Eaglin) (2:06) -- Big Rock Candy Mountain (Tom Glazer) (3:10) -- On top of Old Smoky (Pete Seeger) (2:19) -- Crawdad hole (Cisco Houston) (2:17) -- Oh Susannah (Pete Seeger) (1:18) -- Goober peas (Tom Glazer) (2:03) -- Arroz con leche = Rice and milk (Young Mexican Girls) (0:37) -- Riding in my car (Elizabeth Mitchell) (2:49) -- Whoopie ti-yi-yo, get along little dogies (Cisco Houston) (2:05) -- Home on the range (Pete Seeger) (1:51) -- Shenandoah (Alan Mills) (2:45).
Summary:
With this collection, curator Jeff Place culls a cross-section of 26 classics from the Smithsonian Folkways vaults to tell an intriguing story of American signature sing-along. The songs' origins are as fascinating as the songs are fun: centuries-old European ballads, an American Revolutionary tune, Nineteenth-century American folksongs, African-derived game songs, a sea chantey, a railroad jingle, camp songs, and even an opera song.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.