Coal-Mining Songs and Appalachian Culture

Part 1 

Blind Fiddler by Eric Andersen 

I lost my eyes in a Blacksmith's shop in the year of '46 I was working on a revolver and it was out of fix I am so sad and lonely and I'm condemned to roam 'Cause I am the blind fiddler and I'm a great long way from home 

Well I've been down to Knoxville and I've talked to Doctor Lane He operated on one of my eyes but nothing could be gained I am so sad and lonely and I'm condemned to roam 'Cause I am the blind fiddler and I'm a great long way from home 

Well I've got a wife and three little kids and they depend on me They're sharing all my sorrows where ever they may be And I hope that they'll be careful as through this life they roam As I am the blind fiddler and I cannot help them 

Blind finder is an 1886 song written by a coal worker, Eric Anderson. The song details the consequences of working in the coal mines. Andersen defines how his role as a blacksmith for mining equipment rendered him blind. He regrets how the job made everyone neglect him. He says that the severe working conditions' consequences will haunt him forever as doctors cannot treat his condition (AZ Lyrics, 2021). He also laments that he has three children and a wife who depend on him, yet he cannot care for them due to his blindness. In essence, the song was an appeal to fellow workers to push for compensation rights for all the losses incurred while working. He also expresses his hopes that his children understand the challenges of working as blacksmiths and evading such jobs. 

Part 2 

The Appalachian culture is deeply embedded in the music and dances of the period. The songs played a critical role, not only in entertainment but also in the preservation of the Appalachian culture. The music, dances, arts, and crafts depict all the elements of its culture. For instance, the American values of private property, patriotism, religion, and individualism are embedded within the art (Pitts, 2001). Without these forms of art from the culture, it would be difficult for people to understand the American culture during this era. For instance, in the song "Blind Findler," the author shows the individualistic society during this era. Instead of his former employers taking care of him or his family, they abandon him, and he has to suffer the consequences alone. The song also shows the importance of family, whereby the men during this period were considered the bread-winner of a family. For instance, the singer notes that his children and wife have to suffer because he cannot provide for them. The song served as a form of entertainment to the people and played a critical role in preserving their cultural values, beliefs, and traditions (Pitts, 2001). Through this era's crafts and artworks, one can easily identify the cultural values, identity, and beliefs of the people who lived during the Appalachian period. The songs and dances presented the daily activities and experiences during the period, hence helping people in subsequent cultures to understand the Appalachian culture. Without these artworks, it would have been difficult for people in subsequent cultures to understand this period's cultural practices. 

Part 3 

Watching and listening to the Appalachian Spring versions makes me gain more knowledge between the songs. In the first performance, only music is played, while in the second part, a dance is introduced to the music. In essence, I think that the incorporation of the dance into the music entirely changed its taste (Zasuwa, 2014). The dance changes the song's mood, whereby the dancer gains his motivation from the song. Played without the dance, the music arouses independent feelings among listeners, whereby one has to listen to the different tones in the music equipment. However, the dance's introduction dilutes the song's original meaning by making one pay more attention to the dance, thus leading to ignorance of the music's message (Zasuwa, 2014). Even though the dancer tried coping with the rhythm and the song's mood, it was difficult for her to incorporate all the original elements of the song entirely.  

I think that the ballet did not do justice to the music, as it altered its original mechanisms. For instance, the music video focuses more on the instruments and the sounds. On the contrary, ballet is the main focal point in the music-dance video, whereby viewers cannot see the artists' reactions and body language regarding what they are playing (Blair, 2015). The ballet, therefore, distorts the song's taste, making it more of a viewing experience rather than a listening experience. Consequently, understanding the music becomes more difficult for listeners. However, towards the end, the dancer conforms to the music tunes and becomes more sensitive. This makes the dance and the music more unified and interesting to watch (Blair, 2015). Despite the increased sensitivity towards the end, I still find the dance's introduction as a violation of the intended message. The music should exist without the dance, as it will ensure the initial message's credibility is upheld.  

References 

AZ Lyrics (2021). Stephen stills lyrics: Blind Fiddler. Retrieved on 30 th March, 2021. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stephenstills/blindfiddler.html 

Blair, H. (2015, January 29). Aaron Copland Appalachian spring performance by Costella Ballet & Orchestra . [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/DyNr2kZiYgI 

Pitts, V. R. (2001). Teaching the arts through the Appalachian culture: a proposal for a High-School class. East Tennessee State University. https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1077&context=etd 

Zasuwa, G. (2014, August 3). Slatkin conducts Appalachian Spring. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bMaAe2aH6pw