Product Description

An examination of popular songs and the social comment they make. On subjects as diverse as crime, pastimes, war and industry, the song has always been a vehicle for the expression of popular feeling. Many examples are provided and the book includes a discography and music for 40 of the songs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1302033 in Books
• Published on: 1996-11-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

fabulous
Roy Palmer takes us through the centuries and presents to us hundreds of folk songs which illustrate the life of ordinary people, and, to some extent, defens their interests. Highwaymen heroes, ballads supporting strikers, songs reflecting the (very harsh) condition of women, it makes for a fascinating hike, with a mug of crude red wine at the end of the day.

No doubt there is a certain idealization of "authentic" folk music, the "voice of the people"; but this is really just a counterbalance to official history where the people all too often even today are quite invisible, and only Great Men get their say.

So, the selection is no doubt impressionistic, the historical conclusions difficult to be sure of, but on the whole an exciting and fabulous contribution to our understanding of our ancestors' lives.