Famed North Carolina ballad singer Mary Jane Queen
Digital Heritage Moment: Appalachian Ballads
Ballads are a type of narrative song that originated in Europe in the late Middle Ages. They were brought to Appalachia in the 18th century by immigrants from the British Isles. Typical themes tell stories of love, betrayal, treachery, bravery, the supernatural, and legendary events. These ballads, like “Barbara Allen” and “Lord Randall,” were traditionally sung unaccompanied by instruments. In the 19th and 20th centuries new ballads, like “Tom Dooley,” were composed. They usually described historical events like Tom’s hanging for the murder of Laura Foster. In the 20th century, Appalachia was seen by many as a repository of ballads that were fast dying out elsewhere. Several ballad revivals have occurred since then, and these songs are now sung around the world.
Digital Heritage Moments are produced at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. To learn more, visit digitalheritage.org.
