English Folk-Song and Dance

"English Folk-Song and Dance" by Frank Kidson and Mary Neal is a detailed study from the early 1900s that investigates English folk songs and dances and their importance to English culture. The authors look at what makes folk songs and dances special, where they came from, and how they've been gathered and shared through the years. They want to show that folk music is important and a key part of England's cultural history. Early on, they discuss how folk songs are made and changed by everyday people, focusing on how they show community feelings and skills. They explain that folk songs are important pieces of culture that show the beliefs and experiences of the people who make and keep them alive. The book begins by explaining how folk songs are created by regular people for their own needs, how everyone shares in them, and how these songs change as they are passed down, preparing the reader for a more detailed look at different kinds of folk music and their value in English life.