Folk Songs · History · Remixes
Every old song has a story worth knowing.
SongStory.fm uncovers the true history behind famous English and Irish folk songs — where they came from, what they meant, and why people are still singing them today. Each song comes with the full story, original lyrics, and a modern dance remix.
Song Stories
Irish Folk · 17th Century
Whiskey in the Jar
A highwayman robs a British officer on the Kerry mountains — then his lover betrays him. The 350-year-old ballad that became a rock anthem.
American Folk · Pre-Civil War
Cotton Eye Joe
One of the oldest American folk songs still being danced to — but who exactly was Cotton Eye Joe, and where did he come from?
Stephen Foster · 1848
Oh! Susanna
Written by America's first professional songwriter, this became the anthem of the Gold Rush generation crossing a continent in search of fortune.
American Folk · Early 1900s
House of the Rising Sun
A mournful story of ruin set in New Orleans. Nobody knows who wrote it — but The Animals turned it into one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded.
Irish Folk · 19th Century
The Wild Rover
A wanderer, a pub, a handful of gold, and a vow to never stray again. Ireland's most sung drinking song has a surprisingly moral heart.
John Newton · 1772
Amazing Grace
Written by a reformed slave trader who found faith on a sinking ship. The extraordinary true story behind the world's most recognisable hymn.
Hear the songs come alive
Every song on this site has been remixed for the modern dancefloor by OldGoldRemix. Subscribe on YouTube to hear new remixes every month.
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