American Folk Songs: A Regional Encyclopedia This state-by-state collection of folk songs describes the history, society, culture, and events characteristic of all fifty states.It focuses on songs concerning the life and times of the people of each state. The topics range from the major historical events, such as the Boston Tea Party, the attack on Fort Sumter, and the California Gold Rush, to regionally important events such as disasters and murders, labor problems, occupational songs, ethnic conflicts.