Natural State News

University of Arkansas recognized its professor Mary Parler, for her contributions made to the school’s Ozark culture studies and preservation effort, according to a press release.

Parler, who works in her office at Old Main, has traveled across Arkansas, capturing the folkways of average families in the area. 

Using the compilation of recordings she had of people singing folk songs between 1949 and 1965, she played a significant role in the creation of The Ozark Folksong Collection, said to be the greatest collection of traditional music in Arkansas and the Ozarks.

Showcasing a wide range of audio recordings, anecdotes, stories and other creative work from more than 700 performers of all cultures, social and economic classes, the physical collection features lyric transcriptions and music notes. The online collection now houses 4,000 transcriptions and more than 4,500 audio recordings.

The five principal genres interpreted in the collection are fiddle tunes, square dances, play parties and local commercial recordings. Many of the songs were written by artists of indigenous descent, like the Cherokee. Many of which originated from England and Scotland, can be found in various languages. Twelve of the songs were crafted by migrant workers, and others derived from Italy, Poland, France and other European countries.

Religious beliefs are expressed through Hymns and other church songs. Over 120 African American tales are also offered. The music reflects on social hardships, such as politics, relationships and war conflicts. Local occurrences are also covered, such as a killer tornado known as “The Brinkley Storm.” 

Some of the rare songs featured among the compilations include “Bessie Dye,” “Dogs and Her Gun” and “The Olde and Fading Picture,” as well as “Battle of Prairie Grove,” “Bake that chicken pie,” “Additions to the jealous lover,” “Drink ‘er down” and “Billy goat song."