3 Folk Songs That Will Always Remain Thematically Timeless

Folk songs are incredibly multifaceted. Folks write folk songs to capture the climate of the given time, to dissect the given emotion of any moment, and ultimately, to articulate a nuance that can’t be articulated otherwise. That being so, folk songs will always remain relevant on some subtextual level. After all, no matter how much the world changes, the human condition always remains the same.

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All of the notions listed above are the very reasons folk music is arguably the most storied genre in the history of the world. The songs of the genre dwell within the past and present, look backward and forward, and connect the present to the greater timeline of the world. With all that in mind, here are three folk songs that will always remain thematically timeless.

“The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan

The only constant in life is change. Bob Dylan knows that, and consequently, he wrote a song that encompasses that very metaphysical idea. Dylan’s song overtly nods to the political and social woes of the ’60s, though these two things are always changing, as we well know.

So the themes articulated in the song remain relevant today, will remain relevant tomorrow, and will remain relevant for years and years to come. Released in 1964, Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’” was one of the songs that helped him become the voice of the generation.

“Father and Son” by Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens

As long as humans exist, so will fathers and sons. It is an obvious point, but a true one. And even though there have been billions of pairs of fathers and sons throughout the history of the world, navigating that relationship hasn’t become any easier. Cat Stevens knew that, hence, he aimed to share the complexities of this relationship in his single, “Father and Son.”

It is a simple song. However, the simplest songs are often the most true. Which is exactly why Steven’s single has remained a guiding light for fathers and sons years after its release in 1970. The only thing that will make this folk song not timeless is if humanity ceases to exist altogether.

“House of The Rising Sun” by Unknown

Musicians such as Bob Dylan, The Animals, and Joan Baez have covered “House of the Rising Sun,” and that is because it tells a tale that many have experienced and nearly experienced. The original author of the tune is unknown. Though given that the song is a cautionary tale about hard living, folks have passed the song on for generations.

Matter of fact, this song dates back to the 16th or 17th century. That being so, this song has been in circulation for roughly 300 years and counting. However, nobody has covered the folk single in a while, so as of now, it is due for a resurgence.

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