A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs By: Hubert G. (Hubert Gibson) Shearin (1878-)
In "A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs," Hubert G. Shearin invites readers on a captivating journey through the rich musical heritage of Kentucky. Venturing beyond the mainstream, this book unearths a treasure trove of traditional melodies and lyrics that have been passed down through generations. Shearin's dedication to preserving and documenting folk songs shines through in the meticulousness of his research. The syllabus is broken down into distinct sections, categorizing the songs based on their themes and origins. This organizational structure not only allows easy navigation but also provides a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context surrounding each song. One of the book's most notable strengths is its inclusion of the original musical notations alongside the lyrics. This addition is particularly valuable, as it enables readers to fully immerse themselves in the melodies that have echoed through Kentucky's hills for centuries. Shearin's expertise as a musician is evident in his ability to accurately transcribe these tunes, making it accessible even to those without formal musical training. Additionally, Shearin's insightful commentary accompanying each song further enhances the reading experience. His extensive knowledge of Kentucky's folklore and music history shines through, offering readers valuable insights into the origins and cultural significance of each piece. Moreover, the author's anecdotes and personal reflections add a touch of warmth and authenticity to this comprehensive guide. While "A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs" is undoubtedly a treasure trove for music enthusiasts and scholars alike, it may not appeal to the casual reader looking for an engaging narrative. The book's primarily academic approach could make it feel dry and overly technical for readers expecting a more immersive experience. However, for those driven by a genuine curiosity about the rich tapestry of folk music, this syllabus offers a wealth of knowledge that is hard to find elsewhere. In conclusion, Hubert G. Shearin's "A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs" is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in unravelling the musical heritage of the Bluegrass State. Shearin's meticulous research, inclusion of original musical notations, and insightful commentary create a comprehensive guide that allows readers to delve deep into the soulful melodies and stories that define Kentucky's folk tradition. Despite its academic nature, this book remains an indispensable companion for music enthusiasts and scholars seeking to explore the roots of Kentucky's rich musical tapestry. First Page: Transcriber's note Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without notice. A few obvious typographical errors have been corrected, and they are listed at the end of this book. Transylvania University Studies in English II A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk Songs By HUBERT G. SHEARIN, A. M. Ph. D. Professor of English Philology in Transylvania University and JOSIAH H. COMBS, A. B. Editor of The Transylvanian Transylvania Printing Company Lexington, Kentucky 1911 TO R. M. S. INTRODUCTION This syllabus, or finding list, is offered to lovers of folk literature in the hope that it may not be without interest and value to them for purposes of comparison and identification. It includes 333 items, exclusive of 114 variants, and embraces all popular songs that have so far come to hand as having been "learned by ear instead of by eye," as existing through oral transmission song ballads, love songs, number songs, dance songs, play songs, child songs, counting out rimes, lullabies, jigs, nonsense rimes, ditties, etc. There is every reason to believe that many more such await the collector; in fact, their number is constantly being increased even today by the creation of new ones, by adaptation of the old, and even by the absorption and consequent metamorphosis, of literary, quasi literary, or pseudo literary types into the current of oral tradition... Continue reading book >>

A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs By: Hubert G. (Hubert Gibson) Shearin (1878-)

In "A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs," Hubert G. Shearin invites readers on a captivating journey through the rich musical heritage of Kentucky. Venturing beyond the mainstream, this book unearths a treasure trove of traditional melodies and lyrics that have been passed down through generations.

Shearin's dedication to preserving and documenting folk songs shines through in the meticulousness of his research. The syllabus is broken down into distinct sections, categorizing the songs based on their themes and origins. This organizational structure not only allows easy navigation but also provides a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context surrounding each song.

One of the book's most notable strengths is its inclusion of the original musical notations alongside the lyrics. This addition is particularly valuable, as it enables readers to fully immerse themselves in the melodies that have echoed through Kentucky's hills for centuries. Shearin's expertise as a musician is evident in his ability to accurately transcribe these tunes, making it accessible even to those without formal musical training.

Additionally, Shearin's insightful commentary accompanying each song further enhances the reading experience. His extensive knowledge of Kentucky's folklore and music history shines through, offering readers valuable insights into the origins and cultural significance of each piece. Moreover, the author's anecdotes and personal reflections add a touch of warmth and authenticity to this comprehensive guide.

While "A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs" is undoubtedly a treasure trove for music enthusiasts and scholars alike, it may not appeal to the casual reader looking for an engaging narrative. The book's primarily academic approach could make it feel dry and overly technical for readers expecting a more immersive experience. However, for those driven by a genuine curiosity about the rich tapestry of folk music, this syllabus offers a wealth of knowledge that is hard to find elsewhere.

In conclusion, Hubert G. Shearin's "A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs" is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in unravelling the musical heritage of the Bluegrass State. Shearin's meticulous research, inclusion of original musical notations, and insightful commentary create a comprehensive guide that allows readers to delve deep into the soulful melodies and stories that define Kentucky's folk tradition. Despite its academic nature, this book remains an indispensable companion for music enthusiasts and scholars seeking to explore the roots of Kentucky's rich musical tapestry.

First Page:

Transcriber's note

Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without notice. A few obvious typographical errors have been corrected, and they are listed at the end of this book.

Transylvania University Studies in English

A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk Songs

HUBERT G. SHEARIN, A. M. Ph. D. Professor of English Philology in Transylvania University

and

JOSIAH H. COMBS, A. B. Editor of The Transylvanian

Transylvania Printing Company Lexington, Kentucky 1911

R. M. S.

INTRODUCTION

This syllabus, or finding list, is offered to lovers of folk literature in the hope that it may not be without interest and value to them for purposes of comparison and identification. It includes 333 items, exclusive of 114 variants, and embraces all popular songs that have so far come to hand as having been "learned by ear instead of by eye," as existing through oral transmission song ballads, love songs, number songs, dance songs, play songs, child songs, counting out rimes, lullabies, jigs, nonsense rimes, ditties, etc.

There is every reason to believe that many more such await the collector; in fact, their number is constantly being increased even today by the creation of new ones, by adaptation of the old, and even by the absorption and consequent metamorphosis, of literary, quasi literary, or pseudo literary types into the current of oral tradition... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Music
Poetry

eBook links
Wikipedia – Hubert G. (Hubert Gibson) Shearin
Wikipedia – A Syllabus of Kentucky Folk-Songs

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac