Forty songs which accompanied the shaping of the country as it evolved from thirteen struggling colonies into a nation, placed in historic context by historical narration. Companion songbook available. Two stereo cassettes, with Notes on the Songs. Total Playing Time: 2 hours.  Colonial America 17th Century: The Puritan psalm-singer, the ill-treated sailor, the proud Pennsylvania-German farmer, the frustrated indentured servant and the angry English convict each expressed through folksong his or her experience in 17th century Colonial America. Traditional ballads from the Old Country and new ones written in America served as entertainment, preserved the superstitions, described the Indians and poked fun at nearly everyone. The narrative dialogue and songs effectively capture the flavor of the period.  Colonial America 18th Century: As immigrants arrived in the 18th century, Irish fiddle tunes, African drums and Scots Highland bagpipes set the patterns for America's music. The songs highlight the cultural heritage of the immigrants and the changes during the period which affected American attitudes and way of life. The songs also tell of the shift from White indentured servant to Black slave, the expansion of New England shipping, and the French defeat at Quebec during the French and Indian War.  The American Revolution: The American Revolution inspired both British and American citizens and soldiers to write songs about their differences. The words of the songs were printed in newspapers, periodicals and broadsheets sold on the streets of Boston, Philadelphia and other major American cities. You will hear songs which express stirring pride, angry threats, ridicule and biting satire. They tell of rising political tensions, the Boston Massacre, the tea parties, the weaknesses of the enemy and the virtues of patriotism.  The War of 1812: While the Canadians sing of retribution, the Americans sing of jubilation over the defeat of the British ship Guerrire by Old Ironsides, the preparation of defenses at Philadelphia and the victory at New Orleans (15 days after the peace treaty was signed). These songs effectively illustrate the strong feelings of nationalism during the War of 1812.

Colonial & Revolution Songs (American History Through Folksong)

Arts & Photography

McNeil, Keith

McNeil, Rusty

Music

Wem Records

Thirty-six songs document the changes in the human  condition as America evolved from an agrarian nation to an industrial  nation, placed in historic context by historical narration. Two audio  cassettes plus Notes on the Songs. Playing time: 1 hours, 30  minutes.  The Industrial Revolution: Songs from England, Scotland,  Canada and the United States, sung by miners, weavers, mill workers,  shoemakers, sailors and railroad workers, tell of the impact of  industrialization on rural life, urbanization and the human  condition. The second phase of the industrial revolution includes the  development of electric generators, the internal combustion engine,  the wireless and the telephone.  The Labor Movement 1860s to 1930s:  The songs depict the early struggles of America's working people:  skilled workers, industrial workers and farm workers; and glorify  their martyrs, heroes and heroines. The music also brings to life the  creation of America's labor unions.  The Labor Movement 1930s to  1980s: This presentation chronicles labor's rise to major economic and  political power, and explores the problems which have faced (and some  which still face) organized labor: strikebreaker techniques, union  corruption, immigrant labor, child labor, convict labor, automation,  foreign competition, computers and the shift from manufacturing to  service industry

Working and Union Songs With Historical Narration/Audio Cassettes (American History Through Folksong)

Fifty songs which chronicle the story of America's favorite folk hero, the cowboy, placed in historic context by historical narration. The songs document the cowboy's Spanish and Mexican roots, the trail drives, the cowtowns and the building of the huge cattle empires in the West. Two audio cassettes plus Notes on the Songs. Playing time: 3 hours. 
 The Beginnings: Columbus brings cattle and horses to America, cattle ranches spread throughout Mexico, to California and to South Texas. Herds multiply during the Civil War. Post-war ranches grow in number and size. Confederate Civil War veterans, adventurers, Mexicans, African-Americans and Indians become the cowboys who work the cattle. 
 Cowboy Life: American cowboys inherit the tools of their trade from Mexico. They become expert riders, ropers and horse trainers. They face dangers, long hours and loneliness. They express pride in their occupation, and sing of brave deeds and lost loves. 
 From Texas to Kansas: Trail drives from South Texas to the Kansas railheads begin. Wide open cowtowns beckon at the end of the trail. Cowboys sing of their adventures and of a better life in the hereafter. 
 On The Trail: Cowboys drive huge herds of cattle to Kansas, Montana and Wyoming, experiencing burning sun, driving rain, freezing snow, lightning strikes, swollen rivers, dry water holes, dust, dangerous and often fatal stampedes. The chuckwagon is the social center, the wrangler tends the horses. Night riders sing to the cattle. Settlers, homesteaders and fences end the era.

Cowboy Songs (American History Through Folksong)

Fifty songs that describe the planning &amp; construction of the five transcontinental railroads, the builders, the railroaders, railroad events, characters, scandal &amp; corruption.

Western Railroad Songs (American History Through Folksong)

Forty songs with historical context and historic woodcut illustrations. Two audio cassettes. Total Playing Time: 2 hours. Part one: Indian, Spanish and Mexican California - Spain explores California and establishes missions. Indians at the missions chant the mass to European traditional and popular music. Mexico gains independence from Spain and creates a distinctive California culture. Americans arrive, clash with Mexicans, and establish the short-lived Bear Flag Republic. The United States declares war against Mexico. 
Part Two: The Gold Rush - Mexico cedes California to the United States. The gold discovery brings people from many countries. American citizens cross the plains, sail around the Horn and cross the Isthmus. Immigrants arrive from China, and are barred from the mines. African-Americans come to the mines, some leave California for British Columbia. Steamboats fill the rivers. The Port of San Francisco becomes notorious for shanghaiing sailors. The Indian population shrinks. 
Part Three: Railroaders, Boom and Bust - The Union Pacific, with the help of thousands of Chinese railroad workers, completes the transcontinental railroad. The Southern Pacific monopolizes rail traffic to and from California. Farmers rebel against high-handed railroad tactics. After ten years of depression, the boom begins again.

California Songs Volume One

California Songs with Historical Narration

The fifty-seven songs and commentary reflect the tragedy, irony, humor, pride and hope which accompanied the War Between the States. Companion volume to two stereo CD's or two stereo cassettes. Total playing time: 3 hours. 
The War Begins: After the election of Abraham Lincoln, eleven states secede. The beginning of the war is accompanied by songs of self-righteousness and optimism, of "Copperheads" and "Black Republicans," of proud new regiments and of martyrs. 
The Realities of War: The Battle of Bull Run discourages Northern optimism, and two legendary figures emerge: "Stonewall" Jackson and Jeb Stuart. Yankee morale rises with the stirring "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Battle Cry of Freedom." Glory fades in the face of reality as soldiers sing of inadequate food and the slaughter at Shiloh. Civilians sing of the inequities of the draft and of doing without. 
The Changing War: Escaped slaves are mustered into the Union army, singing of freedom and emancipation. Ironclad ships revolutionize naval warfare, guerrilla warfare increases, prisoners of war die. 
The Union Forever: War-weary soldiers and civilians sing of sweetheart, home, the siege of Vicksburg, the foreign-born who fill the Union army's ranks, Lincoln's re-election, William Tecumseh Sherman's march to the sea and the fall of Richmond.

Civil War Songbook: With Historical Commentary

History

Americas

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