This script incorporates many traditional songs of Appalachia imported by British and European settlers with a strong oral tradition and then preserved for centuries in the isolated hollers they established as home. Others are original to old-time musicians of the area, like Blind Alfred Reed of West Virginia.
If you produce Appalachian Ebeneezer, we can provide musical notation, a CD of historic renditions with guidance from Linda Danielson on period authenticity, and a cast recorded CD of the 2003 production at Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland, Oregon.
To explore the living tradition of these songs right now, on this page you can view videos of all of the songs in the show. These are not videos from play productions; they are selected to show how modern musicians continue to interpret these classic songs. Some renditions are from the UK and reflect the British influence/roots (Fairport Convention, The Voice Squad, and Blackmoor’s Night); some are from Depression era groups (The Bentley Boys). Others feature historical groups from the ‘50’s and 60’s (Smiley and the Underclass, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Pete Seeger, Florence Reese and the Almanac Singers, Johnny and June Carter Cash and Carolyn Hester) or more contemporary musicians (The Stacks, Fairport Convention, Charlie Parr, and Juliana Finch). All of these songs can be simply and effectively presented by 2-4 musicians/cast members.
Appalachian Ebeneezer, Music in Act I
Folk Alley Sessions: The Stacks – “How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?”
“Nottamun Town” from CroPredy (blends into another song, Pretty Polly)
Carolyn Hester sings “Dear Companion”
Charlie Parr sings “Moonshiner”
Mummer’s Carol: The Voice Squad sings “The Holly She Bears a Berry”
Ralph Stanly and the Clinch Mountain Boys sing “Bright Morning Stars”
Appalachian Ebeneezer, Music in Act II
The Bentley Boys sing “Hard Times in the Country”
Carolyn Hester: “Swing and Turn Jubilee”
Florence Reece and Almanac Singers: “Which Side Are You On”
Pete Seeger sings “The Farmer is the Man Who Feeds Them All”
Smiley and the Underclass sing “Oh, Death”
Chuck Wagon Gang: “In the Sweet Bye and Bye”
Juliana Finch sings “Pretty Saro”
Blackmore’s Night sings “On Christmas Day in the Morning”
Johnny and June Carter Cash: “The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago”