Early American Folk Music

Early Colonists and Music

• Early Americans thought music that led to dancing was downright

sinful.

• They believed the Fiddle and other instruments were the Devil’s tools.

•Young people developed the “play-party” which excluded features of

dancing that adults found objectionable.

• Clapped rhythm to create their own music.

Pioneers, Music, and Dancing

• All ages and people often danced for entertainment.

• Wrote their own folk songs usually featuring the fiddle.

•Became a popular way to socialize.

“Skip to my Lou”• Frontier folk song young boys and

girls danced to.

• One boy stands in the middle and sings “lost my partner, what’ll I

do?” as the girls dance by.

• As he chooses the next girl, he sings “I’ll get another one prettier

than you.”

• He grasps the hand of a girl who takes his place in the middle and

the game continues.

• The word “Lou” is Scottish for “Love.”

“Skip to my Lou”Flies in the buttermilk, Shoo fly shoo! (3x)

Skip to my Lou, my darling.Lou, Lou skip to my Lou! (3x)Skip to my Lou, my darling.

(sound sad) Lost my partner, What will I do? (3x)Skip to my Lou, my darling.

(sound sad) Lou, Lou skip to my Lou, (3x)Skip to my Lou, my darling.

(magically change to happy) :I'll get another one just like you! (3x)

Skip to my Lou, my darling!Lou, Lou skip to my Lou! (3x)Skip to my Lou, my darling.

Your Assignment• Find a partner

•Create your own folk song (you will have 30 minutes)

• Needs to be at least five verses long

• Read it or sing it for class

• Extra Credit: Create a dance to perform with your song.