Written in the spring of 1978 by the Canadian singer-songwriter Stan Rogers, “The Flowers of Bermuda” is a disaster ballad on a small scale, telling the story of a ship that founders with nineteen people aboard. We’ve looked at shipwreck songs … Continue reading →
Prelude On the road for work a few months ago, I was driving between Cheyenne and Denver. I had a chance to meet up with an old friend for coffee on the way. Early in our conversation, I noticed she had … Continue reading →
Mystic Seaport recently held it’s Sea Music Festival. It would seem to be a good time to listen to some music from the sea and shore. On this week’s program we’ll hear music from Cyril Tawney, Debra Cowan, Cindy Kallet … Continue reading →
We invited our readers via Facebook last week to submit some of the disaster songs they find most moving. Through those, and through some suggestions we got from others directly, we received some great suggestions. In an unusual turn for … Continue reading →
In the Murder Ballad Monday board room over the last several months, conversations about the sinking of the Titanic resulted directly in two things. First, we’ve started a playlist on the topic and we’re planning to curate it in a future post … Continue reading →
Disaster and Tragedy Among the small number of conversations among friends that initially inspired this blog back in 2011/2012 was a discussion about a shipwreck. It was about the RMS Titanic specifically, and why the disaster of its sinking led to so much music … Continue reading →
This week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine we begin a two part feature Ballads Ancient & New. We’ll listen to ballads in many different settings and styles. Narrative songs have always been an important part of folk music whether … Continue reading →
There is a long standing tradition of family performers in folk music. Many of the classic old-time country bands such as the Carter Family were comprised of family members. Many traditional musicians learned by osmosis through attending dances and being … Continue reading →
The purity of the unaccompanied human voice is one of the most beautiful sounds. Songs sung without accompaniment or a capella have a long history in folk music. You don’t need an instrument to make beautiful music whether you’re working … Continue reading →
Today is Labor Day in the U.S. and Canada. Our song this week is not a murder ballad proper, but I felt drawn to write about it because it portrays the sacrifices and risks of working. Just as my friend, Maureen, mentioned a few … Continue reading →
