A folk song is a type of music that originates from the people of a country or region and is passed down through oral tradition from one generation to the next. It can also refer to a contemporary version of the same genre that became popular in the 20th century. Folk music is culturally particular and often related to national culture, and it is fashioned and re-fashioned by the community that gives it its folk character. Folk songs are usually associated with a specific culture and are passed down orally, meaning they are never written down and have no original author or the author has been forgotten. Some features of folk music that define it include:
- Stanzaic form: Folk songs are typically characterized by a stanzaic form, which means that they are composed of a series of stanzas or verses.
- Refrain: Folk songs often have a refrain, which is a repeated line or phrase that occurs at the end of each stanza.
- Simplicity of melody: Folk songs are known for their simple melodies, which are easy to sing and remember.
Folk songs can capture an event in time or space while providing a glimpse into the history of ordinary people. They have a life of their own, independent of any commercial medium, and can be freely changed by anyone who sings them, becoming a co-author of the song.
