Skip to main content

Folk Songs of the Catskills: New York State Songs and Ballads

Barbara Moncure with Harry Siemsen
Folk Songs of the Catskills: New York State Songs and Ballads

Stretching across western New York State from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, the picturesque Catskills Mountains have a rich folk song tradition. Barbara Moncure, although an Ohio native, spent many of her summers in the Catskills, collecting folk songs from tradition-bearers who are acknowledged in the liner notes.

Harry Siemsen, a Catskills resident who learned his songs through oral tradition, engaged in a variety of professions and was the official historian for the Town of Kingston. He sings two songs on the album as solos, and he and Barbara join forces in three lighthearted dialog songs.

Extensive liner notes discuss the history of life in the Catskills and provide information about each song along with its lyrics.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
My Good Looking Man Barbara Moncure 03:47
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
The Bluestone Quarries Barbara Moncure 02:55
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
The Foggy Dew Barbara Moncure 02:19
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Simple Little Nancy Brown Harry Siemsen 01:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
The Spotted Cow Harry Siemsen 04:55
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
A Frog He Would A-Wooing Go Barbara Moncure 02:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Jennie Jenkins Barbara Moncure 02:18
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
201
The Grumbling Driver Barbara Moncure 02:51
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
202
The Lexington Murder Barbara Moncure 05:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
203
Madam, I Have Gold and Silver Barbara Moncure and Harry Siemsen 01:34
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
204
The Quaker's Courtship Barbara Moncure and Harry Siemsen 02:37
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
205
D. and H. Canal Song Barbara Moncure 01:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
206
The Gray Goose Barbara Moncure 01:57
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
207
The Delhi Jail Barbara Moncure 00:56
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
208
Noah's Ark Barbara Moncure 02:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
209
Soldier, Oh Soldier, Won't You Marry Me? Barbara Moncure and Harry Siemsen 02:08