Folk Songs of New York City

Released in 1966, this collection of twenty evocative folk songs illuminates a perhaps-unrecognizable New York City. In contrast to the nineteenth century world of gang violence, melodrama, corruption, and river pirates they chronicle, these songs are presented with simplicity and charm. For example, listen to Lazare tell the tale of the great police fight of 1857 while providing basic guitar accompaniment.

Compiled and performed by music teacher and folk enthusiast June Lazare, Folk Songs of New York City, Vol. 1 was born of research for a program presented at the New York Folklore Society. This research informs the liner notes which, combined with Lazare’s gentle brogue, resurrects the enigmatic characters and defining events of New York City folklore.

Lazare recorded volume 2 of the series (her second and only other Folkways Records release) on FW32352, available here.

Track Listing

101	Michael Roy June Lazare	01:48
102	Hicks the Pirate June Lazare	03:11
103	Express Song June Lazare	02:07
104	The Two Orphans June Lazare	02:03
105	The Patriotic Diggers June Lazare	02:10
106	Magistrate's Song June Lazare	02:00
107	Jolly Old Roger June Lazare	02:46
108	The Brooklyn Strike June Lazare	03:11
109	The New York 'Prentice Boy June Lazare	03:03
110	Down in Dear Old Greenwich Village June Lazare	02:35
201	Westfield Disaster June Lazare	03:07
202	Billy Barlow June Lazare	03:14
203	The Castle by the Sea June Lazare	03:27
204	The Three Sisters June Lazare	03:02
205	Dead Rabbits Fight with the Bowery Boys June Lazare	03:18
206	The Knickerbocker Line June Lazare	01:58
207	The Great Police Fight June Lazare	02:04
208	Jim Fisk June Lazare	02:55
209	The Shoddy Contractor June Lazare	02:21
210	Mrs. Cunningham's Darling Baby June Lazare	01:42