‘s Song // Scott Johnson

Roger McGuinn, a folk nut, was the founder of the Byrds along with Gene Clark and David Crosby. With Roger McGuinn’s Folk Den he returns to his first love of music, posting new recordings of old songs every month. McGuinn celebrated the 27th anniversary of his Folk Den here this Month. He did the honors with “Shady Grove.” I didn’t know arithmetic was required, but that means he has posted 324 songs to the Folk Den.

If you grew-up in American folk tradition, you will be familiar with “Dink’s song.” McGuinn performs it on his acoustic 12-string, with Josh White Jr. singing harmony. McGuinn posted this recording at his Folk Den, March 2000. Also included is a related excerpt from John Lomax’s account in Adventures Of A Ballad Hunter. This excerpt was published in 1947 by MacMillan [. The University of Texas Press restored Lomax’s “remarkable” book to print in 2017.