Folk Music in America

“Folk Music in America” is a series of 15 LP records published by the Library of Congress between 1976 and 1978 to celebrate the bicentennial of the American Revolution. It was curated by librarian/collector-cum-discographer Richard K. Spottswood, and funded by a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts.
The music, pulled primarily from the Library of Congress Archive of Folk Song (now Archive of Folk Culture), spans nearly a century (1890-1976) and virtually every form that can be considered American music. This includes native American songs and instrumental music, music of immigrant cultures from all over the world, and uniquely American forms like blues, jazz and country.

Download “Folk Music in America” (1.1GB) (Individual links below)

At 15 LP records (252 songs, 12 hours), the series stretches what can be considered a single publication, but represents a somewhat comprehensive survey of American folk music of the 20th century. The booklets (included here in PDF form) transcribe lyrics, share images and tell short stories about sources and symbols helpful in understanding the material. Each disc is organized along a theme, which follow. Click the links below to download the “discs” individually, or the image above to download the whole anthology. If you absolutely have to choose, I’m partial to volumes 1, 6 and 14.

1. Religious Music – Congregational and Ceremonial
2. Songs of Love, Courtship, and Marriage
3. Dance Music – Breakdowns and Waltzes
4. Dance Music – Reels, Polkas, Etc.
5. Dance Music – Ragtime, Jazz, Etc.
6. Songs of Migration and Immigration
7. Songs of Complaint and Protest
8. Songs of Labor and Livelihood
9. Songs of Death and Tragedy
10. Songs of War and History
11. Songs of Humor and Hilarity
12. Songs of Local History and Events
13. Songs of Childhood
14. Solo and Display Music
15. Religious Music – Solo and Performance

http://www.generationbass.com/2013/08/19/folk-music-in-america-download-252-songs-covering-nearly-a-century-of-music/