Dutch Folksong Tradition
The Dutch Country, like the rest of singinging [sic] America, has a two-fold folksong tradition: secular & religious. The Pennsylvania Spiritual is an original contribution to American hymns. Of the two folksong traditions the most important in Dutchland is the religious.
The secular folksong, apart from the ballad, was most commonly sung at the schnitzing party, where the courting youth gathered, & in the crossroads store-tavern, where the Dutch farmers stopped for schnapps. The ballad tradition belonged to the grandmothers, who sang the murder & gallows songs to warn the youngsters against the sins of the world.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 40° 31.091′ N, 75° 46.972′ W. Marker is in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. Marker is on the Kutztown Fairgrounds, home of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Wentz Street, Kutztown PA 19530, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Funeral Feasts (here, next to this marker); Dew of Heaven (a few steps from this marker); Pennsylvania Half-Timbering (a few steps from this marker); The Mennonites (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
Regarding Dutch Folksong Tradition. Excerpt from "Today... and Yesterday" by The Morning Call
Also see . . .
1. How religion guides the traditions, lifestyle and beliefs of the Pennsylvania Amish. (Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Pennsylvania German Society. (Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Kutztown Folk Festival. (Submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
