![[World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: A Collection of Traditional Songs from Around the Globe](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/eVNdct1kCBU/maxresdefault.webp)
Traditional and folk music has a charm that’s different from works categorized into genres like rock, jazz, or R&B, doesn’t it? It’s like you catch a glimpse of a world different from where you are now… scenes you can’t quite put into words start to unfold in your heart.
In this article, we’ll be introducing a wide variety of folk music loved around the world.
From pieces brimming with exotic flair to songs that feel surprisingly familiar, we’ve gathered a truly broad selection! Listen to the tracks featured here and open a new door.
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[World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: Collection of International Folk Songs (1–10)
Korobushka
A masterpiece of folk song imbued with Russian tradition.
Born as a poem in the 19th century, its gem-like melody—beloved and passed down in rural villages—is one almost everyone has heard at least once.
Its lively triple-time rhythm and memorable phrases resonate pleasantly, and the warm tone of the piece evokes a touch of nostalgia.
In 1861, poet Nikolay Nekrasov depicted it as a love story between a peddler and a country girl, after which it became widely cherished as a folk song.
In 1989 it was adopted as background music for Nintendo’s Tetris, gaining worldwide recognition as game music.
It is also popular as a piece for ballet and folk dance, and has been arranged in various genres such as jazz and rock.
Recommended not only for those interested in traditional music, but also for anyone who enjoys heartwarming love stories and the rhythms of classic dance.
Tico-Tico no Fubá
Choro, a Brazilian genre often said to be the prototype of samba.
One of its famous pieces, Tico-Tico no Fubá, was composed by the São Paulo–born musician Zequinha de Abreu.
Since its release in 1917, it has been loved for many years.
Its rhythm is lively yet tinged with a certain melancholy—an impression that stands out.
Although I called it a “prototype of samba,” it doesn’t really make you want to dance; it’s more the kind of music you’ll want to relax and listen to.
Many musicians have arranged it, so part of the fun is searching for and finding versions you like.
El Choclo
El Choclo, composed by Ángel Villoldo, is one of the quintessential pieces representing Argentina’s folk music genre, tango.
Even in Japan, those familiar with social dance will likely recognize it as soon as they hear it.
There are various theories about when and where tango originated, but since the release of El Entrerriano in 1897, it has become beloved around the world.
Moreover, the term “tango” encompasses many derivative styles, such as Argentine tango and Continental tango.
Why not compare them and see how they differ?
Shiyahanba
A hymn to freedom and hope woven by the voices of South Africa.
Popularized in 1984 with the album “Freedom is Coming: Songs of Protest and Praise from South Africa,” this piece gained support as a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement.
Its powerful African rhythms and bright melodies have made it beloved in churches and schools around the world.
Discovered by the Swedish group Fjedur at a South African girls’ school and arranged by music director Anders Nyberg, the charm of the Zulu language spread globally.
With its simple, heartfelt melody, the song is often performed to strengthen community bonds and at events that pray for peace, and its universal message remains as vibrant as ever.
Funiculi Funicula
In Japan, the term “canzone” is used to refer to Italian folk songs.
The word itself means “song,” so it doesn’t denote any specific genre of Italian music.
However, it’s often used to describe songs that have been passed down around Naples in Italy.
The piece we’re introducing, “Funiculì, Funiculà,” is counted among them.
Its melody is very familiar, but when you listen with the awareness that it’s Italian music, it certainly carries a distinctly exotic flair.
El Condor Pasa (The Condor Flies Away)
I imagine many of you remember learning about this in school.
The widely known cover by Simon & Garfunkel, “El Condor Pasa,” is a song from the folk tradition known as folklore that has been passed down around the Andes in South America.
As the title suggests, it’s a majestic piece that evokes the image of a condor gliding freely through the vast sky.
It’s curious how it feels both pastoral and mysterious at the same time.
Folklore isn’t a genre limited to one specific region, so there are pieces that have developed uniquely from place to place.
Flag of Dublin
Traditional Irish music, with the distinctive tone of the uilleann pipes, leaves a strong impression.
Some may be more familiar with the term “Irish music.” Although it bears the name of a country, it’s loved worldwide, especially across Europe, without borders.
When you listen, images of grand natural landscapes come to mind—its soft, rich sound paired with a lively sense of momentum is particularly striking.
The video introduced here features the band FourWinds performing “The Banner of Dublin.” Dublin is the capital of Ireland.