The importance of "Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads" can not be overstated. It created an understanding among academics and the public of the need to preserve all forms of early music. The John Lomax clan spent their lives doing just that.
This edition of the book contains the lyrics of the 153 original songs and ballads, of which 18 include illustrations, rejuvenated, of the full musical score. Also included, and unique to this edition of the book, are 20 additional place-, time-, and subject-relevant iconic illustrations.
In addition to the traditional table of contents of the songs and ballads, this edition of the book includes a linked listing of the musical scores, making them easier to find.
President Theodore Roosevelt wrote the preface to the book and, recognizing the value of preserving early music of all styles, created the Folk Song Dept. within the Library of Congress. He appointed Lomax as its first director.
Many songs so common today were first printed in this book, including "Home On the Range" and "Down In the Valley." Without Lomax's efforts, these and many, many other songs we have come to view as traditional would have been lost.
