This is a book of actual arrangements (playable and singable) of old and
popular songs. It is, overall, divided into 4 (four)
sections of 26-40 songs each. Many are folksongs; others have known authors, but
have become so
popular over the years that they have virtually achieved the status of folksongs. Each section of the book is introduced by a short historical outline of the times, the songs, the writers and the singers (the people themselves) in historical context, as our history and culture affected our songs, and as the songs affected us. The popular songs of each era are arranged for piano and melody (vocals or singing), with
guitar chords throughout. There are short descriptions of the song and its circumstances with each song's transcription and attributions, where these are known. The first section covers the time period from approximately the 1880s to the early decades of the twentieth century (1900s). The second section covers the time period around the American Civil War (1850s and on). The third section covers the time period from around the American Revolutionary War to the pre-Civil War era, and finally, the fourth
section covers the times up to the Revolution, from the earliest European settlements (as well as a few Dutch, Irish, Scotch, etc. songs, some of which are in other languages, as well as in English); these include some of the very early hymns and psalms as they were first set to music in North America.