Mormon folk music
Mormon folk music is primarily composed of
History of Mormon folk music
In 1847
Songs typically had simple tunes, easy-to-recall lyrics, and broad enough appeal to be sung by contemporary Mormons. Mormon folk music mainly consisted of adaptations of popular songs, as well as of traditional folk songs from the United States and Europe.[5]: 120 Given that many early Mormon converts came from different countries and spoke different languages, music became a way of sharing and preserving one's cultural heritage, as well as a means of communication with others.[5]: 112 Historical Latter-day Saint attitudes and beliefs can generally be inferred from the types and lyrics of songs they sang.
During the first generation of pioneers, instruments were limited to violins, banjos, and guitars, and so many songs would have been sung with accompaniment from these instruments or were sung a capella. The first piano was brought to Utah in 1851, and piano arrangements of many popular folk songs were written.[5]: 64
Themes of songs
Some songs recounted the difficult trip across the plains to Utah.[3] Like many other overland pioneers, most Mormons came west by ox or horse-driven carts, and some songs were shared between Mormon and non-Mormon pioneers.[6] The journey was difficult and often perilous, and tragedies occurred such as that of the Martin and Willie handcart companies. Handcart pioneers often sung songs on their strenuous trip to Utah in order to keep their spirits up, and such music played a large role in pioneer community life.[5]: 68, 109 Many of the songs that became popular during the journey to Utah reflect the belief held by the pioneers that they were the Lord's chosen people, and that this calling came with a responsibility to act accordingly[4]: 7
The songs sung by Mormon pioneers were similar to folk songs sung elsewhere. Folk music at the time typically had themes of love, courtship, and crime, along with the courage, lighthearted nature, and hopefulness of the pioneers.[7]: 7 Also conveyed in the music is the pioneers' love for their newfound mountain home, which allowed them to build a community safe from persecution.[4]: 4–5 [5]: 120 Members of the LDS Church today still sing a modified version of the "Handcart Song, set to the tune "The King of the Cannibal Islands."[8]
"Handcart Song" (chorus)
And some will push and some will pull
As we go marching up the hill,
So merrily on our way we go
Until we reach the valley-o!
The hardships of the pioneers continued upon their arrival in the West, and their first few years in the Great Basin were marked by crop failure, economic hardships, health challenges, fear and animosity towards the federal government, and the push for statehood.[1]: xv Many folk songs from this time reflect the continued struggle of the pioneers in Utah.[7]: 23 Other songs convey church teachings and values, such as prayer, familial love, Christian faith and brotherhood, the preaching of the gospel to others, revelation from God, and the joy of worship.[7]: 35 [4]: 8
Other Mormon folk songs recount historical events such as
A few songs expressed the animosity of Mormons toward the United States
"Doo Dah Mormon Song" (chorus)
Then let us be on hand
By Brigham Young to stand,
And if our enemies do appear,
We'll sweep them from the land.
Decline of Mormon folk music
Traditional songs in Utah were superseded by
Recordings and artists
During the folk boom of the 1950s-70s, a number of artists made recordings of Mormon folk songs. Perhaps the best known of these was Rosalie Sorrels, who devoted an entire LP to the subject.[11] The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has also performed various Mormon folk songs, including a 2009 album of "American folk hymns and spirituals."[12][13] Several Utah-based folk groups, including the Three D's,[14] the Deseret String Band,[15] the Beehive Band,[16] and Otter Creek[17] have performed traditional Mormon folk songs as part of their repertoire.
- Examples
- Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing: American Folk Hymns & Spirituals (The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square), Intellectual Reserve
- Folk Songs of Idaho and Utah (sung by Rosalie Sorrels), Folkways Records FH 5343
- The Iron Horse (Mormon folk ballads sung by the 3-D's)
- Hymns, Songs and Fiddle Tunes of the Utah Pioneers (two-CD album by the Deseret String Band)
- Mormon Folk Songs (sung by L.M. Hilton), Folkways Records FW02036[18]
See also
Further reading
- Stanley, David (2004), "Folklore Work in Utah—A Historical Survey". Folklore in Utah: A History and Guide to Resources, Utah State University Press, ISBN 0874215889
- Hubbard, Lester A.; Whitelock, Kenly W (1961), Ballads and Songs from Utah, Salt Lake City: OCLC 22900838
- Thomas E. Cheney, ed. (1981) [1968], Mormon songs from the Rocky Mountains: a compilation of Mormon folksong, Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, OCLC 263477022
References
- ^ a b c d Hubbard, Lester A. (1961). Ballads and songs from Utah. Utah: University of Utah Press.
- JSTOR 536101.
- ^ a b Horne, Flora Bean (1918). "The spirit of music in Utah". New West Magazine. 9 (2): 39–45.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cheney, Thomas E. (1968). Mormon Songs from the Rocky Mountains: A compilation of Mormon folksong. University of Texas Press.
- ^ a b c d e Lauridsen, Cora Burt (June 1948). An analytical and comparative study of folk music of Mormon inspiration (MA thesis). Occidental College.
- ^ Hafen, LeRoy R. (1960). Handcarts to Zion: The story of a unique western migration, 1856-1860, with contemporary journals, accounts, reports; and rosters of members of the ten handcart companies. Glendale, California: Arthur H. Clark Company. pp. 28–31.
- ^ a b c d e Kaufman, William I. (1980). The Mormon pioneer songbook. Bryn Mawr, PA: Theodore Presser Company.
- ^ Mormon Folk Songs (PDF), Folkways Records & Service Corp
- ^ Ivey, Andrea (September 2000). "BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY: Keeping The Bluegrass Tradition Alive In The West". Bluegrass Unlimited. pp. 24–27.
- ^ ""Won't You Come to the Creamery?" IFDE's Collaboration with FME Brings Campus Landmarks to Life". College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC). 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
- ^ "Folk singer and former Utahn Rosalie Sorrels dies". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: American Folk Hymns & Spirituals Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2022-09-16
- ^ "Folk Music Online". www.thetabernaclechoir.org. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "THE THREE D'S, Mormon Folk Songs - Folk Music Worldwide, 1963". folkmusicworldwide.com. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ "Deseret String Band". Okehdokee Records. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
- ^ Lythgoe, Dennis (August 28, 1998), "Beehive Band's CD provides soundtrack to Mormon history", Deseret News
- ^ ""...a duo that is both a technical marvel and tastefully perfect" - Home".
- ISBN 978-1-317-33392-0.