A Family Heritage
The Story and Songs of LaRena Clark

Edith Fowke, with Jay Rahn

About the Book

New folk music and folk-song materials in this comprehensive study are particularly important for singers, folk music enthusiasts, ethnomusicologists, comparative and cultural studies scholars, and those interested in Canadian culture.

LaRena Clark was a great singer and knew many fine songs. Her wide repertoire covers almost the complete range of types and topics of traditional Anglo-Canadian songs. Comparison with other collections in Canada, the United States, the British Isles and Australia indicate just how unique and far-reaching it was.

Clark's background and her varied ancestry shaped her repertoire. The account of her parents' activities gives a vivid picture of folk life in rural Ontario during the early years of this century. She knew some Canadian songs previously unreported, and she wrote songs with a strong Canadian flavour.

Musically, Clark's songs are a microcosm of practices characteristic of British folk music throughout the English-speaking world. Particularly noteworthy is her constant reworking of traditional materials, procedures, forms and individual tunes.

About the Authors

The late Edith Fowke, an internationally known folklorist, produced more than twenty books, countless articles and eight record albums devoted to Canada's oral heritage.

Jay Rahn is a Canadian ethnomusicologist and is a Professor of Music at York University. He has published extensively on ethnomusicology, music theory and music history.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. LaRena's Story
3. The Songs
1. Classic Ballads
2. Songs of True Love
3. Songs of False Love
4. Returned Lover Ballads
5. The Burns Connection
6. Bawdy Ballads
7. North American Romantic Ballads
8. Comic Songs
9. Irish Songs
10. English Songs
11. American Songs
12. Local Canadian Songs
13. Lumbering Songs
14. LaRena's Compositions
4. LaRena's Place in Musical Tradition
5. Summing Up

Orders

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