"I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems
Abstract The popularity of vernacular song cannot be measured by market research alone. As this article illustrates, such data must be augmented through a knowledge of the emotional investments that regional groups make in appropriating particular songs and performances as their own. In the mid-seve...
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Language: | English |
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University of Illinois Press
2002
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4129223 https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jaf/article-pdf/115/456/269/1889941/4129223.pdf |
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crunivillinoispr:10.2307/4129223 2024-10-06T13:50:47+00:00 "I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems Narváez, Peter 2002 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4129223 https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jaf/article-pdf/115/456/269/1889941/4129223.pdf en eng University of Illinois Press Journal of American Folklore volume 115, issue 456, page 269-282 ISSN 0021-8715 1535-1882 journal-article 2002 crunivillinoispr https://doi.org/10.2307/4129223 2024-09-12T05:01:51Z Abstract The popularity of vernacular song cannot be measured by market research alone. As this article illustrates, such data must be augmented through a knowledge of the emotional investments that regional groups make in appropriating particular songs and performances as their own. In the mid-seventies, Newfoundland songwriter Ron Hynes composed and began publicly performing "Sonny’s Dream." Since then, the song has attained a degree of international popularity, as well as a regional "anthemic" dimension in Atlantic Canada. Anthems are sacrosanct signifiers that express regional social consciousness; they identify common experience through powerful performance and lyrical codes that prompt collective awe. In turn, participants reap rewards of mutual support, assertiveness, and empowerment. A close examination of the lyrics of "Sonny’s Dream" reveals some of the ways that the song’s verbal sentiments have accurately reflected the social concerns and aspirations of Atlantic Canadians. Article in Journal/Newspaper Newfoundland UI Press - University of Illinois Press Canada Journal of American Folklore 115 456 269 282 |
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UI Press - University of Illinois Press |
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crunivillinoispr |
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English |
description |
Abstract The popularity of vernacular song cannot be measured by market research alone. As this article illustrates, such data must be augmented through a knowledge of the emotional investments that regional groups make in appropriating particular songs and performances as their own. In the mid-seventies, Newfoundland songwriter Ron Hynes composed and began publicly performing "Sonny’s Dream." Since then, the song has attained a degree of international popularity, as well as a regional "anthemic" dimension in Atlantic Canada. Anthems are sacrosanct signifiers that express regional social consciousness; they identify common experience through powerful performance and lyrical codes that prompt collective awe. In turn, participants reap rewards of mutual support, assertiveness, and empowerment. A close examination of the lyrics of "Sonny’s Dream" reveals some of the ways that the song’s verbal sentiments have accurately reflected the social concerns and aspirations of Atlantic Canadians. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Narváez, Peter |
spellingShingle |
Narváez, Peter "I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems |
author_facet |
Narváez, Peter |
author_sort |
Narváez, Peter |
title |
"I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems |
title_short |
"I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems |
title_full |
"I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems |
title_fullStr |
"I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems |
title_full_unstemmed |
"I Think I Wrote a Folksong": Popularity and Regional Vernacular Anthems |
title_sort |
"i think i wrote a folksong": popularity and regional vernacular anthems |
publisher |
University of Illinois Press |
publishDate |
2002 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4129223 https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jaf/article-pdf/115/456/269/1889941/4129223.pdf |
geographic |
Canada |
geographic_facet |
Canada |
genre |
Newfoundland |
genre_facet |
Newfoundland |
op_source |
Journal of American Folklore volume 115, issue 456, page 269-282 ISSN 0021-8715 1535-1882 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.2307/4129223 |
container_title |
Journal of American Folklore |
container_volume |
115 |
container_issue |
456 |
container_start_page |
269 |
op_container_end_page |
282 |
_version_ |
1812178929952227328 |