MUSIC Introduction

Dance Along To Latin and South American Folk

Thanks to its African roots, folk songs from South America share Africa’s intricate percussion and groove. Most traditional South American folk music is conjoined to special dances, the most popular types being the lively “cumbia” and the Argentinian tradition called the “zamba.”

Latin and South America are also known for political folk rock genres and flagship bands. In Chile, the genre of Nueva cancion was born in the 60s, and became so popular and widespread that it even became the focal point of Catalan nationalism in Spain in its heyday. It revived Andean folk music throughout the continent and began from a commitment to social good to representing the left and resisting Pinochet’s rule in Chile.

In Argentina, Rock nacional musicians were initially under rock influences from the USA in the 50s but they soon became a huge resistance movement all its own to internal war. Rockers and bands from this genre were consistently hunted and jailed by military governments in the country for enlightening the common folk against militarism.

Other traditional folk genres include Vallenato from Columbia, Bambuco from aboriginal South Americans, Joropo from Venzuela, Huayno from Peru and Bolivia, Milonga from Uruguay and Brazil, and Chacarera from Argentina.

Some classic folk groups include Argentinian supergroup Serú Girán and Aterciopelados from Columbia that are sure to get you off your feet. For fans of modern folk rock, you can check out the alternative sounds of energetic bands such as Onda Vaga and Baleia to enhance your cultural knowledge of all things folk.

The Seikilos epitaph is the oldest surviving complete musical composition, including musical notation, from anywhere in the world. The epitaph has been variously dated, but seems to be either from the 1st or the 2nd century CE. The song, the melody of which is recorded, alongside its lyrics, in the ancient Greek musical notation, was found engraved on a tombstone (a stele) from the Hellenistic town of Tralles near present-day Aydın, Turkey, not far from Ephesus. It is a Hellenistic Ionic song in either the Phrygian octave species or Iastian tonos. While older music with notation exists (for example the Hurrian songs), all of it is in fragments; the Seikilos epitaph is unique in that it is a complete, though short, composition.

The following is the Greek text found on the tombstone (in the later polytonic script; the original is in majuscule), along with a transliteration of the words which are sung to the melody, and a somewhat free English translation thereof; this excludes the musical notation:

“Ὅσον ζὍς φαίνου μηδὍν Ὅλως σὍ λυποὍ πρὍς Ὅλίγον Ὅστι τὍ ζὍν τὍ

“hóson zêis, phaínou mēdèn hólōs sỳ lypoû olígon ésti tò zên ho khrónos apaiteî.”

“While you live, shine have no grief at all life exists only for a short while and Time demands his due.”

By the Etoille App; Flickr; CC BY 2.0

“Cover to Banjo Paterson's seminal 1905 collection of bush ballads, entitled The Old Bush Songs.” Public Domain via Project Gutenberg.

The Melting Pot of Australian Folk

Originally referred to as “bush music,” Australian folk songs were widely sung by convicts sent to Australia from Europe during British colonization in the 18th century. These tunes were inspired by both English sea shanties and the Australian outback, where they were made to work in harsh conditions and used music to lift their spirits. One example of this is “Waltzing Matilda,” Australia’s unofficial anthem: a jovial tune still performed and sung daily in the country today.

However, all folk can be traced back to the Aboriginal Australians, the First Nations who have lived on the mainland for thousands of years and celebrated their culture through song and dance. The didgeridoo, the Aussie folk wind instrument, was invented about 1,000 years ago by these native inhabitants.

Other, less well-known instruments and sounds invented by the aboriginals include the wooden clapsticks struck together to produce rhythm in chanting; the leaf of the Eucalyptus gum tree, used as a hand-held, free reed instrument; the bull roarer, consisting of a flat wood piece rotated by a cord attached to it to produce a humming sound; and rasp, a serrated club along which the edge of a boomerang piece is dragged to create a trill.

In modern times, folk rock group Yothu Yindi have incorporated the bass sounds of the digeridoo in their music since the 1980s. Some of the aboriginal music genres that flavor today’s Australian folk landscape include the Djanba, a type of chorus music from in Murrinh-Patha language.

Wangga, from the South Alligator River, are ceremonial songs starting with a high note, accompanied by rhythmic percussion, and end in low notes. Kun-borrk (Adelaide River), bunggul (Mann River), yiri (Walpiri people), emeba (Anindilyakwa people), and manikay (Arnham Land) all have modern aboriginal traditions today with distinct influences on the Australian folk scene.

Today, Aussie folk also blends the sounds of each continent with their own unique history. If you’re looking for popular and contemporary Australian bands, Tame Impala and Angus and Julia Stone pay homage to their homeland with groovy and folky songs.

Asia: Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Movements

Asian traditional, folk music cannot be pinned under a single description because of the huge palette of cultures in one continent as far from each other in complexion and tradition as possible. Every region in Asia: Asia Minor, Far East, South and Southeast, Middle East, and, of course, Russia, have traditions with great depths and variety.

Much of Asian folklore is a major influence on Western culture with Chinese zodiac and Buddhist teachings serving as global inspirations. Middle East folk music also deserves the spotlight as a major influence on the folk genre. American bands such as Beirut include Lebanese folk inspiration with upright violins and droning vocals that inspire much of Balkan traditional music as well from historical, cross-cultural interactions.

Common ancient instruments include rabab, harps, chimes, and the singer’s own vocal chants played by ancient travelers who told their folk stories from land to land. Pentatonic scales are popular in Japanese folk, while gong and bowed string instruments are popular in China. Central Asia shares many common instruments with East Europe such as duotar. Asian dynasties also included “court music” for special ceremonies as early as 600 AD while keeping their parties private for the royal audience.

Several folk music genres have left their mark in international music circles. These include the famous Punjabi bhangra, qawali from Pakistan, rag from India, jeongak from Korea, Bandung from Indonesia, maqam, sufi, and Andalusi nubah from the Arab world,

Irish and Celtic Folk Music: Then and Now

Celtic folk music has deep roots in the 18th century with the Celtic people of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. These lively tunes are generally showcased by a band of both women and men singers with beautiful melodies and historic ballads to share. These bands use a “call and response” style of singing, or “kan ha diskan,” with a vocal lead and joined harmonies. Popular modern Celtic bands include Celtic Woman and the long-running ensemble, Gaelic Storm.

Irish-American folk punk bands such as Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys deserve honorable mentions in this subgenre of folk. These rockers are internationally enjoyed for their alternative and acoustic versions of classic Celtic songs and are #1 on St. Patrick’s Day party playlists.

Europe and The United Kingdom: Songs of the Sea

Sea shanties, or “chantys,” originated as work songs for sailors and captains to maintain worklife balance aboard ships in the 19th century. These chants and ballads were said to maximize the crew’s effort with a driving rhythm when loading the boat of cargo and keeping the vessel afloat on the ocean. These shanties were also inspired by African workers who sang while aboard the ships to keep their spirits positive.

Sea shanties were also inspired by and an influence to famous authors and poets including Herman Melville, writer of Moby Dick, and Rudyard Kipling, famous for The Jungle Book. You can find renditions of sea shanties by 1970s folk music duo, The Silly Sisters, and Celtic punk rockers, The Pogues, when you’re in need of your own motivation.

A sea shanty illustration by Gustave Dore (1832-1883), probably published in one of the many Sea Shanty classics from Ireland. Public domain, via Pixabay.

“Illustration of sailors hauling on halyard, from an article on sailor chanteys,” by W. Symons, in Patterson, J.E. “Sailors’ Work Songs.”

Good Words 41(28) (June 1900): 391-397. Public domain, via Wikipedia Commons.

North America’s Diverse Folk Sounds

Americana folk music saw a great revival in the 1960s and 70s with classic rockers like Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel paving the way for new artists. To this day, influential artists such as James Taylor and Joni Mitchell play live for crowds of all ages at festivals including The Newport Folk Fest, as well as their own solo shows.

The 80s and 90s saw folk music continue to flourish and the introduction of folk punk bands including Violent Femmes to the mix. The 2000s were a booming time for Bright Eyes and other Midwest emo folk artists that focus on songwriting and unique vocals. The blend of rock and folk remain popular to this day; award-winning bands such as Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers rule the radio and the top music charts.

Each note from coast to coast demonstrates the diversity in the genre. Gogol Bordello from New York City is a prime example of the louder side of folk. Listeners can check out their famous soundtrack in the movie Wristcutters: A Love Story, also featuring rock legend and folk icon Tom Waits. Those seeking out gothic folk rock might enjoy unique artists like Vudu Sister from Rhode Island who blend horror stories with harmonies and haunting string melodies.

What’s Next For The Future of Folk Rock?

From ancient times to the present, it is clear that folk music will remain a popular genre in all corners of the globe. There’s a subgenre for everyone, whether you like punk, dance, or traditional music with classic instruments. There’s an aspiring musician learning how to play the guitar and a songwriter working on the next folk hit every day!

The internet makes it easier than ever before to learn how to create a folk song or find a compelling sea shanty to cover as a vocalist. In fact, during the pandemic, many artists collaborated with one another virtually to create entire albums without ever being in the same room. This gave musicians and listeners the opportunity to hear something completely new and unique, compared to the same five songs on the radio.

As we advance further into the 21st century, many are concerned that technology (especially AI) will take over the world. A computer can technically write its own Celtic ballad, musicians are starting to take advantage of AI to enhance their own music. One can loop an African drum rhythm and a Midwestern guitar riff to create a new experience for fans of eccentric folk.

In conclusion, folk music is universal and can be enjoyed by all listeners, young and old. Your favorite artist is sure to have a folk band in their list of influences. It’s important to understand the global diversity of the genre and respect the talent and craft that goes into each song. We hope this essay inspired you to check out a few international artists.

Who knows, you might find a new favorite...

Viva la folk!

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