How to write a Folk Song

A person setting out to write a folk song would do well to study the acknowledged masterpieces of the genre. Although there are as many folk song topics as there are
human activities, there are some common elements found in most folk songs which distinguish them as belonging to that genre. Certain devices are used to convey characters and plots.

This involves the audience, making them feel "in the know" and therefore intimately involved with the song's characters and their struggles.

Folk song devices.

1.Make it real. The lyrics must cause the listener to use as many of the 5 senses as possible ,to get intimately in touch with the "folk" in the song.
2.There MUST be a struggle. It can be one person's struggle, two peoples' struggle, a family's struggle, a nation's struggle, a worldwide struggle, a cosmic struggle.It can be a massive struggle of disenfranchisement, dealing with prejudice and arbitrary, autocratic decision-making. It can be the relatively minor struggle of trying to get the paperboy not to throw the newspaper into the dog's water bowl, every morning. If it's possible to do something, it's possible to write a folk song about the struggle to accomplish it.
3.The struggle can be one that ended long ago, one that rages on, or one that is yet to begin.
4.The lyrics can be set to existing, well known tunes. Or the lyrics can be set to new compositions. You can even set a folk song to a minimal background beat, with a few chords thrown in here and there.
5.There must be a catchy, easily learned chorus, or failing that, a frequently repeated phrase or expression. This enables the audience to join in and this audience participation is what'll make or break your folk song. If people go away humming the chorus, it'll be repeated, and it will survive.

Here's a step by step guide to creating your song.(Composed by a WORLD FAMOUS folk singer.)

Realism. (Using the 5 senses.) Struggle (ongoing)
To be sung to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas."

Verse 1
Oh Paw is six foot seven (sight)
And he weighs one hundred pounds
He chews garlic and tobacco (smell)
And makes peculiar sounds. (hearing)
My mother's even taller,
And skinnier , I'd say
And Scrabble is their passion,
So they try to make me play. (struggle)

Chorus

To be sung to the chorus of "Marching Through Georgia" *See lyrics below for the rhythm, if you don't know this song.

I hate this game!I think it is absurd! (ongoing struggle)
I hate this game!I can't think up a word!
I plan to burn the board or torch the letters and be free.
I don't wanna be a word NERD!

Verse 2 (Yellow rose of Texas tune, again.)

Well we play each night for hours,
Before we go to bed.
They really try to coach me,
But the rules escape my head.
They give me books of word lists,
Every time they get a chance.
But letters make me dizzy
And I'd rather learn to dance.

Chorus

You can make up verses until your mind runs dry. Then you can ask your audience to make up a few more. I hope you feel confident enough now top start writing your own folk songs.You can surely do better than I did.(oops- I mean the WORLD FAMOUS folk singer!)
Tune up that banjo!

*Words of chorus for Marching through Georgia

Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the jubilee!
"Hurrah! Hurrah! The Flag that makes you free!"
So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea,
While we were marching through Georgia.

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