Walter E. Boyer

A collection of common and rare folksongs of the Pennsylvania Dutch culture in the area of the Mahantongo Valley, an area which is predominantly between Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on the north; the Susquehanna River on the west; and the Mahantongo Mountains, which are roughly on the border of Dauphin County and Northumberland County. Part of the area extends into Dauphin County through the mountain gaps at Pillow (formerly Uniontown) and Klingerstown, and includes some parts of Mifflin Township and Lykens Township in Dauphin County and the northwestern townships of Schuylkill County.

The introduction to this work explores the folksong tradition in the valley. The chapters (from the Table of Contents) provide the song groupings as follows: (1) Songs of Childhood; (2) Songs of Courtship and Marriage; (3) Songs of the Farm; (4) Songs of the Snitzing Party; (5) Songs of the Tavern; (6) Songs of American Life; (7) A New Year's Blessing; (8) Songs from the Camp Ground. There is a pronunciation key and a bibliography, Table of contents. The index is a combination of first lines of the songs and song titles (where known by titles).

The lyrics are given in Pennsylvania Dutch and English, and sometimes in a pronounceable dialect, and in a few examples in "High German.". For many of the songs, the melody is presented with hand-drawn treble clef scores complete with key, time signature, and chord suggestions so they easily be performed or taught - or accompanied on appropriate instruments.

This copy is inscribed and signed by one of the authors, Walter E. Boyer, May 16, 1954, at the Blue Door, Pillow, Pennsylvania.… (mehr)