American Play Parties

FW-ASCH-10RR-3002

Recorded in: New York, United States.

Historically, in rural America, dancing by young people was frowned upon by their elders, whereas children's games were permitted. Therefore, young people, eager to interact and dance, employed the expedient of substituting children's games for dancing, adapting the games, referred to as play parties, to their needs. Sometimes the end result was similar to the forbidden dancing, but without instrumental accompaniment. On this recording, Pete Seeger and his young daughter Mika, joined by Rev. Larry Eisenberg, sing traditional play parties, which they obtained primarily from the collections of Lynn and Katherine Rohrbough. In accordance with traditional practice, the play parties are sung without accompaniment, save for handclapping. The liner notes, written by Pete Seeger, discuss the history, development and characteristics of play parties, and provide the lyrics. CDR copy