Patrick Ward Gainer (1904-1981) taught English at West Virginia University for decades. His course on Appalachian music was popular and featured many guest artists. He traveled extensively throughout West Virginia seeking out the state’s folklore. In addition to this book, he wrote Witches, Ghosts, and Signs: Folklore of the Southern Appalachians. After a short foreword and introduction this book launches right into pages with the words and music to tune after tune along with a brief introduction to each. The five chapters are “The Child Ballads,” “Other Ballads and Folk Songs,” “Fiddle Tune Songs,” “Choral Singing in the Mountains,” and “The Negro Contribution.” Over 100 tunes are included.
Morgantown: West Virginia University Press, a 2017 reprint of a 1975 release. 236 pages with an Index, Bibliography, and the notes for lots of songs. Trade paperback