F is for folk music

Dylan describes 'folk' in Chronicles as "handed down songs", which is the one valid way of understanding the origins of the genre. It originated in the 19th century as a term for musical folklore, music transmitted by word of mouth, music of the lower classes, music with no known composer. It is day-to-day music, often created by working people. Later it became a way of describing a kind of popular music that is based on traditional music. It was as vital to his youth as was rock 'n' roll.

Purists recognise four main types of America folk music, excluding imports from non-English speaking nations, - yankee, southern poor white, cowboy and black. All four contributed to Dylan’s work.