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

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 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