Folk Songs -- In Other Words Trivia Game | Music Word Play

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. An aimless scribble or drawing made by a native or inhabitant of New England or the northern United States. (6,6)

Answer: Yankee Doodle

The origins of "Yankee Doodle" are long disputed, though we do know it predates the American Civil War. The state anthem of Connecticut, "Yankee Doodle" is an all-time American favorite and fits nicely into the Civil War or Folk genre.

"Yankee doodle, keep it up,
Yankee doodle dandy;
Mind the music and the step,
And with the girls be handy."

2. The main course of a U.S. Thanksgiving dinner stuck in a long tube used expressly for drinking. (6,2,3,5)

Answer: Turkey In The Straw

Another song with a highly disputed beginning, "Turkey In The Straw" was sung in the early 1800s by many blackface artists of the American theater. Among the performers who lay claim to authorship are George Washington Dixon, George Nichols and the New York theater's very own Bob Farrell.

"Came to a river and I couldn't get across,
Paid five dollars for a blind old hoss;
Wouldn't go ahead, nor he wouldn't stand still,
So he went up and down like an old saw mill."

3. A hearty soup of vegetables, meat and gravy, formed into a round child's toy. (8)

Answer: Stewball

"Stewball" was a folk staple for Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary. The song is said to be based on a real horse from the 1740s that was once owned by the 2nd Earl of Godolphin, Francis; the horse was named "Skewball."

"Oh, Stewball was a racehorse,
And I wish he were mine,
He never drank water,
He always drank wine."

4. Named after a hit off of a cigarette; a huge, winged, scaly serpent with large claws and a crested head that dabbles with spells and charms. (4,3,5,6)

Answer: Puff The Magic Dragon

Written by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton, "Puff, the Magic Dragon" is a song vaulted into the mainstream by the group Peter, Paul and Mary. Released and recorded in 1963, the song went on to be covered by The Kingston Trio, Tom Chapin, and my all-time favorite, Roger Whittaker.

"His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave,
So, Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave."

5. Each and every one of the tribulations that belong to me. (3,2,6)

Answer: All My Trials

Usually classified as a religious or spiritual song, "All My Trials" has edged its way into the core of the folk scene, due in part to the efforts of Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and, of course, Peter, Paul and Mary.

"I had a little book was given to me,
And every page spelled Liberty.
All my trials Lord, soon be over."

6. The particular piece of earthen property that we are talking about, belongs to you. (4,4,2,4,4)

Answer: This Land Is Your Land

Among the most well-known American folk songs, is a song penned by Woody Guthrie, entitled "This Land Is Your Land." Sung to the tune of the gospel Hymn "Oh, My Loving Brother," the song was chosen by the Library of Congress for addition to the National Recording Registry.

"As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me."

7. You and I will conquer, exhaust or make helpless. (2,5,8)

Answer: We Shall Overcome

The Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley was born to his free mother and a father who was a slave. While Tindley was also considered free, he grew up around slaves. Many claim the Reverend inspired the song "We Shall Overcome," with his song similarly titled "I Shall Over-Come." Famous covers include Pete Seeger (original), Joan Baez, Dylan, Judy Collins, The Weavers and Peter, Paul and Mary.

"Oh, deep in my heart,
I do believe,
That we shall overcome some day."

8. In the event that I were to have obtained a hand tool used for pounding. (2,1,3,1,6)

Answer: If I Had A Hammer

Written in 1949 by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays (both of The Weavers), "If I Had A Hammer" was further carried into the limelight by Peter, Paul and Mary. Innumerable covers of the song exist by many of the folk singers involved in the Civil Rights movement.

"If I had a hammer
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening ... all over this land,
I'd hammer out danger
I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between all of my brothers and my sisters
All over this land."

9. Rotate, hang a 'Louie' and veer. (4,4,4) (No punctuation)

Answer: Turn Turn Turn

"Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season)", is a song set to music by Pete Seeger. The words are almost exclusively from the The Bible's Book of Ecclesiastes, beginning with 3:1 forward. Famous covers include the American rock 'n roll band The Byrds.

"A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep."

10. Males from the human species that hail from pieces of cleared land that are used for cultivation. (3,2,3,6).

Answer: Men Of The Fields

Now, how can you mention folk music and not include Buffy Sainte-Marie? From her 1966 album entitled "Little Wheel Spin And Spin," Buffy Sainte-Marie offers up this very short song by the name of "Men Of The Fields."

"Men of the fields,
Men of the valleys,
Men of the seasons and the soils.
Strong hearts and hands,
Molding the lands,
All over earth they toil."

Source: Author Zbeckabee

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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Folk Songs -- In Other Words Trivia Quiz

If you're a fan of folk music, this quiz should be a walk in the park. Using alternate wording, I'll give you the name of a well-known folk song that has been sung by a major folk artist. All you have to do is figure out the real name of the song.

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