The most valuable resources in the Flanders Ballad Collection are the field recordings of nearly 4500 songs and instrumental tunes collected in New England between 1930 and 1966.
For over thirty years collectors travelled to communities in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, to record songs and instrumental tunes passed orally in New England families. The largest number of recordings in the Collection are of ballads in the Anglo-American tradition. These narrative songs contain stories that were popular in New England family and occupational life for many generations.
Other genres recorded include nineteenth century American popular songs, religious songs and hymns, nursery and game songs, as well as fiddle and fife tunes. In addition, there are a small number of French-Canadian, Russian, and Gaelic songs recorded in Vermont.
For more information on the field recording collection link to the series description file.
Flanders Ballad Collection Series Description
Index to the field recordings
An index to the field recordings in the Flanders Ballad Collection can currently be searched by performer, title (song or tune title), classification number (Laws or Child), or keyword.
Flanders Ballad Collection Index to the Field Recordings 