Folk music has a ring of blue grass mixed with blues and culture or a particular region’s story. This type of music has a long history and is ethnically linked to a specific nationality. Originally, folk music was telling a story about for example, Polish-Americans or Irish-Americans and it appreciate the differences in the cultures. It was about respecting heritage and remembering countries traditions. It tells a story of history in the making and the troubles people have lived through.
Traditional folk music is now a popular genre, on all sides of folk rock, electric folk and even folk metal. It is still a story telling twang sort of music and sound. Bob Dylan for example is a musician that is considered traditional folk. Celtic music is also considered folk music and describes a wide range of genres. . Traditionally relating to Irish music the Celtic music is an example of Irish folk music. The Irish Rovers sang Celtic Irish folk music and became popular.
Contemporary folk music has always been popular and is rich in heritage. Ethnic groups from all over the world appreciate a fine folk song. It celebrates the differences in every culture and makes them special. It was music of the laboring class and told sad stories of their life. Folk has become and all encompassing category of music. Including acoustic, country, bluegrass, folk blues and traditional music going back to each countries root.
Folk music has been a way to express life through lyrics. It is especially popular in bad times, economically, war and strife of life. Folk songs soothe the soul and make you feel better. It gives you hope when times are bad. American folksingers would gather in coffee shops and entertain the public. Jim Croce and Cat Steven spoke of political issues and concerns of the times in the tradition of folk music.
Folk Irish music is very popular all over the world. It dates back thousands of years. This genre of music survived due to oral tradition. Collectors like Edward Bunting, George Petrie, Canon James Goodman and Francis O’Neill preserved Folk Irish Music.
This style of music was mainly used for dancing. Irish used to play this genre of music when they celebrated weddings, or saint’s days. The performer repeats tunes several times. This genre of music used for dancing is isometric. “Crooked” tunes are not so evenly divided. This rhythm leads to this enjoyable danceable music. Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Highlands, Polkas, and Mazurkas are traditional dances used in Folk Irish Music. The Melody in Folk Irish Music is very important. Therefore, its harmony has to be kept simple. Instruments have to follow the leading player. Some favorite Folk Irish songs are,” Danny Boy", "Finnegan’s Wake”, "Rocky Road to Dublin”, “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”, “The Wild Rover”, "Whiskey the Jar and “Whisky the Jar”.
In Folk Irish music, the Caoineadh song is very widely used. This is a lament song. Its lyrics express sorrow. Traditionally, the Caoineadh song lyrics were about the Irish people who had to emigrate due to other countries due to political or financial reasons. The song’s lyrics may also express pain for the loss of a loved one.
Celtic music evolved out of the Folk Irish musical traditions. Celtic music derives from the Celtic people. The spread of Celtic people abroad made this genre very popular globally.
In the ‘70s, Irish Folk music was amalgamated to rock and roll and punk. Artists Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, and Van Morrison contributed towards this new style in music. Today, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly bands create songs by joining Irish folk music and punk music together. Performers like Enya, Riverdance and The Irish Tenors have contributed to this genre international success.
Folk music has a long history that has evolved and changed since its beginnings. It is a genre of music that includes traditional and popular songs. The origin of songs folk began with stories from the working class perspective. It was an entertaining method of passing along stories and information through oral tradition. Folk music has gone through many changes to develop into the current singer-songwriter style that we know today.
The early tradition of folk music focused on communities, history, civil rights, economic hardship, social struggle, working class issues and protest of injustices. Folk songs were also written about love, everyday things, and nonsense or had satirical or funny lyrics. Many of these songs developed into popular standards, like “We Shall Overcome,” “Down By the Riverside” or “This Land Is Your Land.”
The development of folk music reflects changes in society. During the 20th Century, it was popularizes as a way to bring people together, help them cope and to influence change. Folksingers sang at union halls, protests, churches, coffee shops, bars, concerts and festivals. Recordings of folk songs were played to inspire and encourage action for better living or work conditions. People learned the songs and sang them to boost moral or protest an injustice. Folk music rose in popularity during the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. These issues brought a surge of protest folk songs. Popular folk singers included Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie and many more.
The 1970s brought a slight change folk music due to the changes in the climate of society. Songs were primarily about relationships, politics and society. James Taylor and Cat Stevens were the popular folk musicians of the 1970s. In the 1980s, Suzanne Vega, Michelle Shocked and John Gorka dominated the folk scene.
Currently, folk singers are associated with singer-songwriters. They continue to reflect the society with songs about our current struggles and injustices, whether personal, social, economic or political. The origins of folk are still existent in current folk but with a more modern focus. . The term folk music has evolved into an unclear term. Many folk singers today fall into multiple music style categories. For example, singers can be considered folk rock, folk pop or folk country. Some singers that have a folk style include Dar Williams, Greg Brown, Steve Earl, Jack Johnson and Levon Helm, among others.
Throughout history songs folk has changed with the changing times. Folk music is rarely commercial but continues to resonate with people of all walks of life