Image from Wikimedia Commons from the Boston Public Library
Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation showing the changes that occurred when old songs migrated into various regions of Canada and the United States from Great Britain. The talk explores various cultures affected by such incredible changes to these old songs, and examples on tape of a variety of Scottish, Irish and English versions. There will be versions that participants will sing together to illustrate the differences that occurred and why they evolved in regions of North America.
Additional Costs
Mileage
Special Arrangements
Projector and connections for laptop
Whiteboard and markers
Booking a talk
First, contact the speaker by clicking on their biography below to confirm their availability and discuss any special arrangements.
Then, click this “Book this Talk!” button to send a request form to Vermont Humanities. We’ll respond within one week.
Sara Grey is a fine American singer of traditional song and ballads, banjo player and song collector. She’s immersed in the song traditions of both sides of the Atlantic and also loves teaching the banjo as a versatile instrument for accompanying song. She has performed throughout the UK, Europe, North America and Australia for the past 65 years.
Ballads and Songs That Migrated to The West During Westward Expansion
By Jacob Pelletier | August 25, 2026
Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation on a genre of old songs that are rarely sung or talked about from the expansions of railroads across the US. Using some excellent images to coincide with the songs, Grey will focus on many aspects of the west and westward expansion.
Regional Ballads and Old Songs from the Maritimes and Northern New England and the Adirondacks
By Jacob Pelletier | August 25, 2026
Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation on the evolution of old songs and ballads. They often are more akin to the old songs from the British Isles as they migrated into these regions first and did not lose their characteristics as much as they did when they migrated further south.
The Migration Of Old Songs And Ballads Across the Pond into North America
By Jacob Pelletier | August 25, 2026
Join musician and historian Sara Grey for a presentation showing the changes that occurred when old songs migrated into various regions of Canada and the United States from Great Britain.
Our seasonal “Words in the Woods” program allows Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors.
Humanities Camps are filled with reading and writing projects, field trips, and outdoor activities.
We won a 2020 Schwartz Prize for best public humanities programming in the U.S. for Vermont Reads 2019: “March: Book One.”
We supported the Chandler Center for the Arts’ Global Connections Youth Outreach program, which highlights artists from around the world.
Our free public events help bring the power of the humanities to communities across Vermont.