'Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads' Summary

'Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads' is a treasure trove of traditional American folk music, compiled by the pioneering musicologist John Avery Lomax. The book presents a collection of cowboy songs and ballads that capture the spirit and essence of life on the American frontier. The songs, many accompanied by musical scores, cover a wide range of themes, including the hardships and joys of the cowboy's life, romantic encounters, and the rugged beauty of the western landscape. Lomax's meticulous research and detailed annotations make the book not only a captivating collection of songs but also a valuable historical and cultural document. The collection includes well-known classics like "Home on the Range" and "The Cowboy's Lament" alongside lesser-known but equally evocative ballads, showcasing the rich and diverse tapestry of American folk music. 'Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads' remains a cornerstone of American folk music scholarship, providing a captivating window into the lives and experiences of those who shaped the American West.