How amazing is the Library of Congress? This amazing: it permits online access to collections of recordings of folksongs, so you can listen to them and download them . This is our cultural heritage, and the Library of Congress makes it possible for us to enjoy it. Take a minute to thank the people who established the Library of Congress, and our taxes that preserve it, and everyone who contributes...

Henry Lee -- Nick Cave and P.J. Harvey Delia's Gone -- Johnny  Cash Where the Wild Roses Grow -- Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue Tom Dooley -- The Kingston Trio Cell Block Tango -- the Chicago...to Doc's version I could find on youtube Deep Red Bells -- Neko Case (thanks, genhawk) Knoxville Girl -- the Louvin Brothers (thanks, heosphoros) Country Death Song -- the Violent Femmes

I really should be working, as I have more work than I can shake a stick at (or a quill? Or a keyboard? Keyboard is too valuable to shake) But, just a few words about last night's Cordelia's Dad concert...of the songs (including "Spencer Rifle," which was a riot) and we all sang along with one called "Gabriel's Horn," that had an easy chorus, and with "Return Again," at the end. It was a lovely evening

Here he is, Mr. Lee Monroe Presnell, whose thoughtful face gazes from the back cover of the liner notes for volume 1 of the Warner Collection of folksongs ( "Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still" ) Used with permission of Appleseed Recordings He's featured on both the first volume and the second volume ( "Nothing Seems Better To Me" of the Warner Collection, and his songs are real highlights...

I'm waiting for a chance to do a post about the two-volume Warner Collection (Appleseed Recordings), which I have finally bought (and wow, just wow). Vol. 1 "Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still" ; Vol... I couldn't see anything, but suddenly I felt like I was there, back 40, 50, 60 years ago, in that house or on that porch, where the recording was made. It's 90 degrees out now, but that made me shiver

Know any folksongs? Tonight is a good night to be a fiddler at Rio Rita's ... ;) Irish and Old Time Music Collective Tue May 6 8pm – Wed May 7 12am (Weekly at 8pm on Tuesday) Created By Donya for Rio Rita Events Have you ever wished you and your friends could just sit around and play tunes with each other? I’m not talking about electric jams or drum circle jam bands but old traditional tunes...

The murder ballad "Omie Wise" Which is one of my favorites from Tim Eriksen. Sung against a background of spring peepers. And with church bells at the end.

too much to write about a new issue of Goblin Fruit a crow with up-tipped wings that were shining in the sun a hawk, not a red-tailed, some other kind; watching him while driving is not so...knave for i have served one master, true and only and i shall sleep beside him in the grave" bonnie brown, you can run and hide . . . Ahh, yes. Now I want a ballad about that ill-begotten son

It's as cold as any winter day out there, but the sun is so strong and bright; it's a spring sun, an almost-equinox sun. The days are longer; the sun is mocking the cold with its brightness, but the cold...City," which may be original with them or may be a folksong, not sure. ... oh look, one Google search later and I find that it appears to have a longer history than just them. Ah, I love the Internet

The snow that's falling right now is as fine as sand and it glitters as it swirls around street lamps and in headlights. I bought a bottle of red wine today. I know nothing about wine. I buy it based...a weapon for to kill the one that I love best. So I will go to some wide river. I'll spend my days, my months and years, eat any thing but the long green willow, drink salt all from my flowing tears