Traditional

Traditional songs, often called "folk songs," are learned informally, within the context of family, tribe, community, or another close-knit group. Many traditional songs have been sung within the same family or ethnic and regional communities for generations, and as in the case of American traditional songs, can sometimes be traced back to such places of origin as Great Britain, Europe, or Africa and other homelands reflecting America's diverse cultural heritage. At some point the song would have been composed by a single individual, but that author may no longer be known. Most traditional and folk songs change over time, and as they are passed from person to person many variants of the same song or tune often spring up.

In some contexts, traditional songs are an integral part of daily life and are performed to accompany particular activities associated with work, religious celebration, or social occasions. Anglo-American ballads often offer cautionary tales and moral lessons, warning young women about the temptations of honey-tongued suitors and warning men about the wiles of unfaithful women. Sea shanties and railroad songs can function to lighten the burden of routine tasks and provide a rhythm that helps workers perform as a team. Lullabies bind together mother and child, and song and music of all sorts performed within the context of family helps to connect one generation to the next. Blues and its many subgenres are also considered traditional songs.

The term "folk songs" is also used to describe songs composed in the style of traditional songs in the "folksong revival" most notably beginning in the 1960s featuring performers such as the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Weavers, Tom Rush, Odetta, Bob Dylan and many others.

As with all the categories of song in our Song of America presentation, songs may cross over and fit many categories. Traditional songs can become or inspire popular songs, they may be religious and sacred songs and often they may be considered ethnic songs.