The Golden Song Book

The Golden Song Book is an influential publication and a key document in establishing the canon of children’s music in the United States in the 20th century. It was first published in 1945. This is the 1975 edition and 27th printing. The songs were selected and arranged by Katherine Tyler Wessells with illustrations by Gertrude Elliott.

I love the illustrations and the inscription on the front endpaper of my copy.

The contents include nursery songs and other traditional songs, including minstrel songs like "Oh Susanna."

The first song in the book is "The Farmer in the Dell," with instructions on how to play the circle game assocated with the song.