A History of the United States through Folk Song

Third Edition Totally Revised

By
John Anthony Scott
John Wardlow Scott

This third and totally revised edition of A Ballad of America is designed for classroom use and for ease of reproduction. An 11 x 8 ½" format makes possible a generous layout and easily legible text, lyrics, music, and illustrations. Detailed commentary places each song in its proper historical context. Simple guitar accompaniments are provided for the use of both students and teachers. The book contains 135 songs that tell the story of the United States covering a span of 350 years from the 17^th to the 20^th centuries. For clarity of exposition A Ballad of America is divided into seven parts and sixteen chapters reflecting both the time span and the various topics covered. The book brings under a single cover some of the best to be found in the back issues of Folksong in the Classroom, and also much more.

For years [the Scotts have] been using folk songs in the classroom to show children what a wonderfully diverse country we have, and to draw them in, heart and soul to its subtleties and complexities. Go through this book slowly! ... It will be a classic for forty years.

-- Pete Seeger

See the table of contents from A Ballad of America!

order form | praise for A Ballad of America

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