Song Playlist
Folk songs from the sixteenth century through the twenty first century featuring Patricia Cummings, (vocalist and guitarist)
1973 photo of Patricia
External speakers are neeed to hear these songs well.
Songs by Category
Civil War Songs, etc.
Rally Round the Flag - a Union song
Tenting on the Old Campground - a song written by Walter Kittredge of New Hampshire
Motherless Child. Children were often taken away from their parents and brought to other plantations, never to see their family of origin again
My Darling Nelly Gray written by Benjamin R. Hanby, in 1856, portrays the fictitious, but compelling, story of a kidnapped slave
Follow the Drinkin' Gourd The Big Dipper in the North Sky was reportedly a guiding point for slaves, to help them reach Canada, and freedom. Authenticity of the song's connection to the Underground Railroad is being disputed as not having been around before 1900. The earliest version found was written in 1928, according to Joel Bresler
Two German Language Christmas Carols
O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree), a traditional German Christmas carol whose lyrics date from 1824.
Stille Nacht, a Christmas carol better known in America as "Silent Night." This song was written in 1818.
Spanish Language Songs
These Spanish songs originated in various Spanish-speaking countries. I learned them from fellow students at the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain in 1972-1973. My friend, Gigi, from Puerto Rico wrote down all the words to the songs and created a little booklet for me to save as a remembrance of the time we spent in tertulias at her Colegio Mayor residence.
El Arriero Va - The Horseman Rides (also on YouTube)
Guantanamera - based on poetry by José Martí
Guitarra de Medianoche - Guitar of Midnight
Cuando Salí de Cuba - When I Left Cuba
Zamba de Mi Esperanza - Argentina - song of hope
Check out YouTube to hear/see Roberto Mercado's rendition of this same song!
En Mi Viejo San Juan - In My Old San Juan (Puerto Rico)
El Viento Tiene Una Pena - The Wind Has a Sorrow
De Colores - Of Colors
Mi Caballo Blanco - "My White Horse," a folksong from Chile
Spanish Villancico
(Christmas Carol, in Spanish)
Los Peces en El Rio - "The Fish in the River," Christmas Carol (villancico) from Spain.
Textile Related Song
Work of the Weavers: a traditional Welsh tune that celebrates weaving. Pronunciation of some of the words is explained.
Olde American Songs
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? a song of hard times recalls the Great Depression and the 1930s in America.
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out - from the 1920s/1930s.
Daisy Bell - "the proposal," and the answer
It's A Grand Old Flag - patriotic song
Let Us Break Bread Together - a traditional spiritual of thanks and praise
Oldies Medley - songs of the first two decades of the twentieth century featuring a photo of my parents in "period" dress, when they were dating. What fun!
Work, for the Night is Coming - Nineteenth century song, learned at Grange
Traditional Blues/Folk Songs
Banks of the Ohio - sung and played by Patricia Cummings, 2007
The Frozen Logger - sung by Patricia Cummings
Trouble in Mind - written by Richard M. Jones
New Hampshire
Where the Purple Lilacs Grow - song about New Hampshire, unknown composer.
March 17th is a Great Day for the Irish!
"Happy to be Irish" - Songs
Flag of the Irish Republic, officially adopted in the twentieth century
An Irish Lullaby - "Toora, Loora, Loora ..." - written in 1913. Dedicated to my granddaughter.
Cockles and Mussels - a traditional Irish tune
Mrs. McGrath - an Irish ballad related to the Napoleonic Wars; sung without accompaniment
The Ould Orange Flute - traditional English melody; anonymous author; considered to be a humorous song although it is about religion. Sung without accompaniment
The Rising of the Moon - ballad that celebrates the 1798 Irish rebellion in County Kildare
The Wearing of the Green - a ballad made famous by Burl Ives; sung without accompaniment
Scottish Tunes
Loch Lomond - a traditional song from the late nineteenth century
Mary Hamilton - a traditional Scottish ballad
Wild Mountain Thyme - a lyrical and lilting tale of love and nature's beauty
English - Medieval Song - Christian Song
The Coventry Carol: a melodic traditional song, now often sung at Christmas time, is believed to have been written in 1534 by Robert Croo, according to some sources. This song was performed during medieval pageants in England in the sixteenth century
Other Media: Slideshow
Christmas Ornament Essay and Slide Show
Songs Related to Freedom
Butterflies represent freedom. These Monarchs migrate back and forth to Mexico each year from New England. photo by James Cummings
Christian Songs
Amazing Grace - traditional song written by John Newton
Were You There? (when they crucified my Lord)
Hebrew Songs
Hine Ma Tov, is a traditional Israeli song with Hebrew words that expresses a wish that all men would live as brothers. We pray for peace in the Middle East. Currently, this is our most popular song file.
Hava Nagila, a dance song that accompanies the "hora," performed in circular formation.
Songs for Children
Go Tell Aunt Rhody: a traditional American song from 1752.
The Fox: a nice song for young children.
Shaker Song
Simple Gifts: a traditional Shaker dance song, written in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett of Alfred, Maine. This is but one of more than ten thousand Shaker songs.
Words to a Song
Crazy Quilt Song - words that could be sung to the tune of the "Star Spangled Banner." The song is based on a poem published in 1890. At the moment, just the words are provided.
Songs Played by John E. Grace (1911-1974),
recorded in the 1960s on cassette
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
Unknown melody - JEG - on Clarinet
My Song For Quilters
Original song written by Patricia Cummings, "I Am a Quilter," for National Quilter's Day a few years ago.
AUDIO FILES
There are many audio files on this website, including both prose and poetry. Here are some additional ones that are listed for your convenience.
Secret Quilt Code - Audio: an mp3 file recorded by Patricia Cummings
Fireside Chat 1 - favorite quotes and comments shared by Patricia Cummings in January 2010.
A related text file, "The Power of Music"
Dance Songs
Note: Simple Gifts, and Hava Nagila are dance songs, and Zamba de Mi Esperanza is written about a dance.
Notice: All songs on this website were placed here for educational purposes. While I have enjoyed playing and singing traditional folk songs since I was a teenager, I am not a professional musician; I am a teacher by training.
The "copyright" to any individual work belongs to the original artist. However, specific rules apply. All of the songs here were written in another century, some at a time when the notion of copyright was not yet even conceived. The copyright notices I list in each file signify ownership of my own renditions.
©Copyright 2007-2011. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications. Concord, New Hampshire. Questions or Comments? Please write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com