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CHAPTER X. |
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Folk-songs — These Also a Branch of National Music — Character of Nations as Reflected in Their Folk-songs — Characteristics of American Folk-songs — Southern Plantation Music — John Howard Paine and " Home, Sweet Home" —Stephen C. Foster —"Old Folks at Home " — Other American Melodies — Music of American Indians.
The subject of national music can be divided into two large schools. In the preceding chapters we have spoken chiefly of those songs which were calculated to inspire patriotism and martial ardour; but any song of the people, whatever its emotions may be, has a right to be classed as national music, and these folk-songs often give a picture of the nation which evolves them, more graphic than many historic pages.
The folk-song, therefore, spite of its simplicity, has a strength and beauty all its
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