Recreational Songs

(under construction)

This official Church publication was completed in 1949. It was intended for use “at every recreational function of the various organizations of the Church… The committee takes particular pride in the publication in this volume of [English translations of] choice folk songs of countries from which our Saints have emigrated” (from the preface).

Not all of the songs in the book are folk songs. The following list includes songs that we recommend as folk song options for your homeschool. We will add links to recordings, videos, and PDFs of the printed music as our resources permit. Remember that folk songs are not always standardized. You may find a few versions of lyrics and even tunes. Use this opportunity to choose your family’s favorites!

(Also see singpraises.net for cross-references to hymnals and other Church publications, including foreign language songbooks.) The numbers below indicate page numbers.

American Patriotic Songs — 7 | Folk Songs: Czech — 16 | Danish — 29 | English — 33 | French — 56 | German — 60 | Hawaiian — 69 | Irish — 74 | Italian — 82 | Dutch — 86 | Norwegian — 92 | Russian — 94 | Swedish — 97 | Scottish — 98 | Spanish — 104 | Swiss — 109 | Welsh — 112 | Spirituals — 123 | Western Songs — 131 | Christmas Songs — 136 | Master Composers — 164 | Favorite Old Songs — 190 | Songs Especially Arranged — 224 | Nonsense Songs — 235 | Barber Shop Harmonies — 266 | Pioneer Songs — 278 | M.I.A. Songs — 285

American Patriotic Songs — 7
Folk Songs: Czech — 16
Danish — 29
English — 33
French — 56
German — 60
Hawaiian — 69
  • Song of the Islands
  • Farewell to Thee (Aloha Oe)
  • Beautiful Kahana
  • My Heart’s Choice
Irish — 74
Italian — 82
Dutch — 86
Norwegian — 92
Russian — 94
Swedish — 97
Scottish — 98
Spanish — 104
Swiss — 109
Welsh — 112
Spirituals — 123
Western Songs — 131
Christmas Songs — 136
Master Composers — 164
Favorite Old Songs — 190
  • Home, Sweet Home
  • In the Time of Roses
  • How Can I Leave Thee
  • In the Gloaming
  • My Old Kentucky Home
  • Sailing
  • Listen to the Mockingbird
  • Viennese Refrain
  • Oh! Susanna
  • Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
  • Oh, Boys, Carry Me ‘Long
  • When You and I Were Young, Maggie
  • My Bonnie
  • The Church in the Wildwood
  • Dixie Land
  • Long, Long Ago
  • Kingdom Coming
  • Three Blind Mice
  • Beautiful Dreamer
  • Sweet and Low
  • Grandfather’s Clock
  • Little Annie Rooney
  • Reuben and Rachel
  • Anvil Chorus
  • Thanksgiving Song
  • Sweet Genevieve
Songs Especially Arranged — 224
Nonsense Songs — 235
Barber Shop Harmonies — 266
Pioneer Songs — 278
M.I.A. Songs — 285