Folk Songs of the Catskills (New York)

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

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