I've got a mule, her name is Sal

"Fifteen miles on the Er-ie Can-al." Fireside Book of Folk Songs

A long time ago, I made a goal to learn to play every song in the Fireside Book of Folk Songs, one of the most comprehensive and beautifully decorated folk song books I've ever encountered. There's about 100 songs, and I lack maybe 15, which isn't bad for the amount of time and talent I have at the piano. Unfortunately, when I made the goal, I forgot to include the fact that I would need to learn the lyrics to the songs! The result is that I can recognize and hum the tune instantly, but the words and even the titles are hard to recall. Quite a different story from the one in which I imagine these stories were developed, first as spoken lyrics, then as a chant, then finally with a melody and instrument.

The book includes ballads and old favorites, work songs, marching songs and "songs of valor," and old hymns and spirituals. By far my favorite section is the ballads and old favorites, which contains the most songs that we would categorize as "folkloric." For the purposes of this American folklore class, I'll only comment on my favorite American songs here. But there are many other songs which are just as good and un-American. Look them up!

Prizes awarded to American songs from "Ballads and Old Favorites":

Earliest learned song: "The Riddle" - It starts out "I gave my love a cherry." I remember my mom teaching this to me when I was very young. I learned the whole thing quickly and haven't been able to forget it yet. Oh, and I think that part about "a ring when it's rolling, it has no end" is complete hogwash.

Most offensive song: Tie between "The Foggy Foggy Dew" and "Careless Love." They're both easy, fun to play songs, but my mom hates them, largely because of the references to love without marriage, broken hearts, and so on and so forth.
Most haunting song: "I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger." You can pretty much tell already from the title that this is going to be a sad song, and it is. It has to be played with feeling or it just sounds wooden, but when it's done right, it's really beautiful.

Funniest, catchy song:
Winner: "Arkansas Traveler." Probably my very favorite song in the book. I learned all the lyrics once, but I'm afraid I've mixed up some of the phrases and would do a pretty poor job if I tried to recite it. This is such an upbeat, happy song that I often like to hum it or think it to myself while I exercise.
Runner-up: "The Erie Canal." This song is just plumb fun to play. The melody is very bouncy, catchy, and all over the place rhythmically. It's almost like the piano's dancing. I feel like a piano player at an Old Western saloon when I really get into this song.

Does anyone else have any favorites?