Songs That Travel Through Time

Karen Smith-Gratto
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music History

A brief history & performance of a traditional song, along with musical notation with dulcimer tab, chords, and lyrics will be presented.  There may be other links and interviews.  Click on the podcast name to access links.

Episodes

  1. Nov 1

    Pretty Saro

    This month looks at "Pretty Saro" which was originally popular in England in the 1700s.   The dulcimer tab is in the key of D.   LINKS   My Arrangement for Appalachian Dulcimer  Pretty Saro in D.pdf Jackie Armstong's Arrangement Pretty Saro - Armstrong.pdf Vocal Versions Jean Ritchie - https://youtu.be/OLC7Nd0ycgo?si=AwRkQ-S-qy7vq1F5 Rhiannon Giddens - https://youtu.be/gjLCDzQW8ck?si=2ggD4XbSMIPaWPk6 John McEvoy – Bunclody https://youtu.be/jHJogFN-eUk?si=atSjBNcJlgWgLTdp John McEvoy – Bunclody https://youtu.be/jHJogFN-eUk?si=atSjBNcJlgWgLTdp Doug and Jack Wallin - https://youtu.be/uLPR9GkgyAM?si=IcvZTuopg8-UfyMP Iris DeMent - https://youtu.be/A6ArylRGWME?si=X4mxEcEamhAZ80OH Cas Wallin - https://youtu.be/O2kkFiJ70sw?si=6FmLebxnKjo0ukzU Robbie O'Connell - https://youtu.be/skyRtoQhU7w?si=krT32h1mU5C4jpj0 Doc Watson - https://youtu.be/oNV4WLBeOW8?si=qtOjAy-WnvCw5mIY Field Recordings of Mr. Fred High Missori State University, Max Hunter Collection – variation (1959)  – Courtin' Miss Saro - https://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/songinformation.aspx?ID=315 University of Arkansas Digital Collection – variation - (1951)When First to this Country - https://digitalcollections.uark.edu/digital/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/3959/rec/1 Dulcimer Tab Available Online Squarespace - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54e55a64e4b03b4d9c72032b/t/613171f4ed8c0757b3654d06/1630630388828/Pretty+Saro+-+Mystery+Version.pdf Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer - https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/general-mountain-dulcimer-or-music-discussions/5432/pretty-saro

  2. Oct 1

    The Water Is Wide

    This month the song is "The Water Is Wide".   The background and thoughts about where it originated, dulcimer tab, and other links are provided.   LINKS My Arrangement - The Water Is Wide in C Other Sources  Just Another Tune Songs & Their History - Just Another Tune Jim Moran Blog - Jim Moran Blog Vocal  Versions Karla Bonoff James Taylor Joan Baez Recording from the 1930s - Patrick Shuldham-Shaw Dulcimer Tab  Available  Online Steve Smith Joe Collins  Susan Howell Dusty Thorburn

  3. Aug 28

    Barbara Allen

    This podcast gives a brief history of the song, performance of it with voice and Appalachian dulcimer, and links to a variety of resources.   *Note:  While I have arranged in DAD for the key of G, you can use a version by Zuckerman or Smith and place the capo on the 3rd fret to be in the key of G.   LINKS My arrangement for Appalachian Dulcimer:  Barbara Allen in G DAD using Grand Staff.pdf Blog with additional information:  https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/02/song-of-the-week-barbara-allen/ Vocal versions: Farya Faraji Legendary Folk Songs Nina Ricci University of Arkansas Digital Collections (recorded in 1960) Library of Congress (recorded 1938) Dulcimer Tab Available Online: Ron Zuckerman (DAD) Steve Smith (DAD)

  4. Aug 28

    An Introduction to "Songs That Travel Through Time"

    This podcast introduces the series and the host.  Tells what the future formats will be.   Barbara Allen will be the first in the series.

  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A brief history & performance of a traditional song, along with musical notation with dulcimer tab, chords, and lyrics will be presented.  There may be other links and interviews.  Click on the podcast name to access links.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Smith-Gratto
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Songs That Travel Through Time