An Almanac of New England Farm Songs

Whetstone 02 Cassette re-issue of 1982 Green Linnett 1039
Includes a booklet of lyrics and background information.

Some of these songs and rhymes are from literary sources, some from H. H. Flanders Collection [FC], and some from Margaret MacArthur's Collection [MC]. Several appear in Malcolm Laws indexes. Sung unaccompanied or with mountain dulcimer or harp-zither.

Side One

1. Our Forefathers' Song -1634 a poem from Massachusetts
2. Vermont Sugar Makers Song - Perrin Fisk, late 19th century
3. When the Wind is in the West -Weather lore for sugaring
   
4. Sirop - Nickname of a syrup thief. [FC]
   
5. The Old Goat - Antics of the farm animals [FC]
   
6. To the Listers of Charlestown - a poem counting heads on the farm [FC]
   
7. Swarm of Bees -A bee keepers saying [MC].
8. Shearing Day - from Gale Huntington Songs the Whalemen Sang
9. The Vermont Farmer's Song - Jonathan Saxe, 19th century [FC]
10. Pound of Tow - of spinning
    
11. Wimble Bow - riddle of the spinning wheel
    
12. Linktem Blue - of reeling the yarn
13. Old Mr. Grumble - Laws Q 1 - Who works harder, the farmer or the farmer's wife? [MC]
14. Old Speckle - The hen of the "stolen nest" M.M.©1982

Side Two

1. Oh the Rum, the Rum - scattering seed
   
2. One for the Cutworm -planting single seeds
3. The Young Man who Wouldn't Hoe Corn (Laws H 13) [FC]
4. Huckabridge Bread - poem of kneading [MC]
   
5. Come Butter Come - poem of churning [MC]
   
6. Hot Horseshoe in a Churn - of churning [MC]
   
7. Buttermilk and Whey - song of scything [MC]
8. Springfield Mountain - Laws G16 - Tragic farm disaster in 1761 [MC].
9. The Miller
10. The Miller's Will -Laws Q 21 [FC]
11. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
12. Rolling Stone Laws B25 - Go west or stay on the New England farm [MC]
13. Snow Like Meal; It Snows, It Blows; Dried Apple Pies [FC]
14. Jones' Paring Bee - a song of the parin' of apples, followed by a dance and party [FC]
15. Fifty Years Ago - echoes the spinning, weaving and milling found in the previous songs. [FC]