[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DejUPN4SksU[/youtube] Judy Collins and Pete Seeger in the '60s. Turn Turn Turn was written by American folk artist Pete Seeger in 1959. Inspired by the message of Ecclesiastes 3:1 from the King James version of the Bible, Seeger set King Solomon’s moving words to music adding only the final line; The Byrds...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnS9M03F-fA[/youtube] Joan Baez sings The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Written by Canadian musician Robbie Robertson in 1969, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down first appeared on The Band’s self-titled second album. It’s been recorded by many including Joan Baez, John Denver and The Grateful Dead. The lyrics speak of the...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUUTReVLg0g[/youtube] Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the Austin City Limits Festival 2008 Gillian Welch is one of America’s most popular contemporary singer/songwriters. Though she mostly performs in the Americana or Bluegrass spotlight, many of her tunes have a particularly Old Time simplicity. Other tunes are bluesy and dark. Welch is tuned...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDNDELFF1ok[/youtube] The singer in this clip is Jimmy Wakely with the Sunshine Girls Often considered a traditional folk tune, You Are My Sunshine actually carries a copyright from 1940 (Peer International). Authorship credits go to Jimmie Davis, a country singer-songwriter who would later become governor of Louisiana, and Charles Mitchell, though the...

Nothing defines Dolly Parton as a FOLKSLINGER quite as well as her song Coat of Many Colors. While its memorable tune can be a little difficult to learn — there's a full step modulation smack in the middle of it — this one is definitely worth the effort to master. People of...

Written by Johnny Cash and his uncle Roy Cash in the mid 50's, I Still Miss Someone has become a standard in bluegrass, country and folk circles. Almost every singer knows the chorus and harmony will abound. It's simple to play and can be performed slow or lively. RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD...

Catch the Windis a delightful song written by folkster Donovan at the end of the folk era. It was recorded in multiple genres, a hit song in every way. It does not require any bass notes and can be played with straight strumming. RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LYRICS WITH CHORD CHART in...

Paul Seibel wrote and recorded Louise in 1970, but it gained national attention through cuts by Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt. You can blues this one up, sing it real slow or at a clip, any way you sing, it tells a simple, sad story. Use your capo to locate the...

Often referred to as "Muhlenburg County" -- a region in Kentucky devastated by strip mining practices -- Paradise is John Prine's signature song from his 1971 debut album. A well-rounded Folkslinger should make it a point to learn several of his tunes. Most all other musicians know this tune and like...

Dolly Parton is a true FOLKSLINGER. She's responsible for carrying old tunes forward and she writes many of her tunes in an old time style. Jolene is one of her most powerful numbers, with great energy. RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LYRICS WITH CHORD CHART in Bm Check out Dolly Parton's original version: Check out Rhonda...

Hickory Wind was written by Gram Parsons and Bob Buchanan in the late 60's. It was recorded by Parsons with The Byrds on their Sweetheart of the Rodeo album. A woman from West Virginia disputes the authorship, claiming to have sold it to Parsons. The song's most beautiful rendition is probably...