Folk Songs

2026-2027: A Year of Traditional Folk Songs of the British Isles by Way of Appalachia and the Americas

Many old folk songs contain references to traditional Christianity that predate protestant times. Enjoy a few that we have found here:

September: The Day is Past and Gone¹ , Jean Ritchie Video, Aileen Lambert Video

October: Twilight A-Stealing¹ , The Ritchie Nieces Video, Brandenburger Family Music Video

November: Brightest and Best¹ , Jean Ritchie Video, Rachel Barham Video (with lyrics)

December: ("Joseph was an old man", and look at when Jesus says His birthday will be.) Cherry Tree Carol¹ , Jean Ritchie Video, Judy Collins Video

January: (This one is about Lazarus the poor man. The link is to a British version of the song, even though Appalachian ones exist, because I can't find a video of anyone singing the Appalachian one. Lazarus, Simon Orrell Video, Purcell Singers Video

February: Down in Yon Forest, Bruce Cockburn Video

March: (This one is about spring and resurrection, but is to the same tune as "Good King Winceslas." The Flower Carol¹ , Jean Ritchie Video, Choral Version Video 

April: (This one starts out sounding like it's  Christmas carol, but it's actually a Pascha carol.) Down Came An Angel¹ , Edna Ritchie Video, Claire Ross Video

May:   (I'm sorry to offer this one without a video. If you find one, please contact me so I can link it). Ten Commandments² 

¹From Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as Sung by Jean Ritchie, Second Edition

²From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians by Olive Campbell and Cecil Sharp-Jones.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

2024-2025: A Year of Georgian & Romanian Folk Songs

In keeping with our history of linking to folk songs from traditionally Orthodox countries, this year we turn to Georgia and Romania. We would love to hear from you (via the link at the bottom of the website) if you are a speaker of these languages and could tell us more about these beautiful folk songs.

September: Imereti Niavo (Breeze of Imereti - Georgian)
October: Mravalzhamier (Long May You Live - Georgian)
November: Trei păstori (Three Shepherds - Romanian)
December: Sus, la poarta Raiului (Up at the Gate of Heaven - Romanian)
January: Alunelu (To Dance - Romanian)
February: Cucule, pasăre sură (Cuckoo, Sister Bird - Romanian)
March: Vine vine primăvara (Spring is Coming - Romanian)
April: Hristos a înviat (Christ is Risen - Romanian)*
May: Oac Oac Diri Diri Dam (Croak, Croak, Diri Diri Dam - Romanian)

*We realize this is a hymn rather than a folk song, but if you don't know it in Romanian, what better opportunity to learn?

2023-2024: A Year of Greek Folk Songs

Greek folk songs embody the Orthodox faith, culture, geography, and are always performed with kefi, the zest for life. Kalanta, carols, are not only for Christmas, but also for the New Year, Theophany, Lazarus, and Pascha! Different regions have distinctive melodies, rhythms, and instruments, accompanied by a long tradition of folk dancing.

We've tried to incorporate a wide variety of traditional tragoudia (songs), kalanta, and Orthodox songs, along with videos showing the scenery of Greece, her celebration of feastdays, and traditional instruments.

September: Bright Moon, Feggaraki mou Lambro

October: Joy to the Eyes, Hara Sta Matia

November: Yianni mou to Mandili sou

December: Kalanta for Christmas 

January: Kalanta for the New Year

February: The Sparrow, O Spinos

March: Mana Mou Ta Kleftopoula 

April: Today Christ is Risen, Simera Christos Anesti  (or switch with May if Pascha is late)

May: The Seaside, Gialo, Gialo

June: The Wedding Song, To Tragoudi tou Gamou

July: The Colors, Ta Chromata

August: A Boat from Chios, Ena Karavi Apo ti Chio

A note about phonetics

a is always as in "wash"

ch in the back of the throat like in "challah" (sometimes transliterated simply as h)

d is always a hard th as in "than"

e as a short e as in "egg", including after a single vowel and consonant, thus: "fores" pronouned "fo - res"

ei  as a long e

i as a long e

o similar to o in "off"

ou as oo as in "booth"

r is lightly rolled or flipped

th is always soft as in "thin"

But, no matter how you say it, enjoy the music and sing along!

2024-2025