Songs of the West Folk Songs of Devon & Cornwall Collected from the Mouths of the People

"Songs of the West" by S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould is a compilation of folk songs gathered directly from the people of Devon and Cornwall in the late 1800s. The book preserves the melodies and lyrics that represent the area's cultural history, highlighting the importance of these songs in reflecting the daily lives and traditions of rural communities. The book opens with a discussion, emphasizing the need to save traditional folk music, which was disappearing as community gatherings became less frequent. Through stories of the singers encountered, the book reveals how folk songs are connected to the daily lives of people. The authors show how folk music was important in keeping the identity and customs of the English countryside alive.