{"product_id":"folk-songs-from-the-west-virginia-hills-9781946684035","title":"Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills","description":"\u003ch2\u003eFolk Songs from the West Virginia Hills\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis comprehensive songbook preserves the authentic folk music traditions of West Virginia's Appalachian region. Compiled by renowned folklorist Patrick Ward Gainer, this collection captures the mountain music heritage that has been passed down through generations in the Southern Appalachians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthentic Appalachian Musical Heritage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe collection documents traditional folk songs that originated in the West Virginia hills, offering musicians, researchers, and enthusiasts direct access to the region's rich musical legacy. Each song represents the cultural traditions and storytelling methods that defined Appalachian communities throughout the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompiled by a Leading Appalachian Scholar\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePatrick Ward Gainer brought decades of expertise to this songbook. As a member of the English faculty at West Virginia University, he developed one of the most popular courses on Appalachian music, regularly featuring traditional practitioners as guest artists. His scholarly approach ensures accuracy and authenticity in preserving these folk traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eEssential Resource for Traditional Music\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis songbook serves multiple purposes: as a performance guide for folk musicians, a research tool for students of Appalachian culture, and a preservation document for regional musical heritage. The collection maintains the integrity of traditional mountain music while making it accessible to contemporary audiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePart of the Sounding Appalachia Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished by West Virginia University Press, this volume contributes to the broader documentation of Appalachian cultural expressions. It complements Gainer's other scholarly work, including his studies on Appalachian folklore and traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePatrick Ward Gainer (1904-1981) was one of the leading scholars of Appalachian folk music in the mid-twentieth century. A member of the English faculty at West Virginia University, he taught an immensely popular course on Appalachian music that frequently showcased some of the leading practitioners of traditional Appalachian music as guest artists. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eWitches, Ghosts, and Signs: Folklore of the Southern Appalachians\u003c\/i\u003e, also available from WVU Press.","brand":"West Virginia University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50493296902418,"sku":"9781946684035","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ade38925-9360-4d74-bbb3-8ade73fe0881.jpg?v=1730642238","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/folk-songs-from-the-west-virginia-hills-9781946684035","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}