folk song

American  

noun

1. a song originating among the people of a country or area, passed by oral tradition from one singer or generation to the next, often existing in several versions, and marked generally by simple, modal melody and stanzaic, narrative verse.

2. a song of similar character written by a known composer.

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folk song British  

noun

1. a song of which the music and text have been handed down by oral tradition among the common people

2. a modern song which employs or reflects the folk idiom

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Etymology

Origin of folk song

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The traditional folk song “Billy Boy” was first transformed into modern jazz by Ahmad Jamal in 1952, and that arrangement was also played by Red Garland.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

It is named after the traditional Korean folk song about longing and separation, often dubbed South Korea's unofficial national anthem.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

“Arirang” is the title of an ancient Korean folk song that is believed to be at least 600 years old and is still sung to this day.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

It might be time to write a folk song about the demise of City Section basketball using the music of Peter, Paul and Mary and the new title, “Where Have All the Players Gone?”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2026

Once I heard her humming a pretty melody in her room, some Korean folk song, but as I walked toward her doorway to hear it better she stopped immediately, and I never heard it again.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee