Folk Music Folk music is the oral history of the people—simple melodies passed down through generations, carrying stories of love, labor, migration, and protest. Unlike commercial genres, folk belongs to no single author; it evolves with each singer. From Appalachian ballads to West African griot epics, it preserves cultural memory and communal values. In the 20th century, figures like Woody Guthrie (“This Land Is Your Land”) and Pete Seeger turned folk into a tool for labor rights and civil rights, inspiring Bob Dylan’s poetic revolution. The 1960s folk revival fused tradition with contemporary urgency, giving voice to anti-war and equality movements. Globally, folk resists homogenization: Irish reels, Indian ragas, and Andean flutes assert local identity in a globalized world. Today’s indie and Americana artists draw deeply from folk’s authenticity. Its power lies in accessibility—just a voice and an instrument can stir hearts. Folk reminds us that music need not be loud to be powerful; sometimes, the quietest song carries the loudest truth about who we are and what we’ve endured.
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