SKU: A0.1402823

This song started out as an Andean folk melody that Paul Simon came across in 1969 when he played a week-long engagement at a theater in Paris along with the South American group Los Incas, who played an instrumental version of the song called Paso Del Condor. Said Simon: I used to hang around every night to hear them play that. I loved it and I would play it all the time, and then I thought, Let's put words to it.
The Peruvian songwriter Daniel Robles recorded this song in 1913, and copyrighted it in the United States in 1933 during his travels in America. When Simon recorded it with his added lyrics, he thought it was a traditional song, as that's what Los Incas told him. When Robles' son filed a lawsuit, Simon had to give Robles a composer credit on the song, with his estate getting those royalties.

In discussing the song, Simon always talks about it as being based on a traditional Peruvian song, and we've never heard him mention Robles. This wasn't the first time Simon got tangled over songwriting credits on traditional melodies: Simon & Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair / Canticle was based on a folk song, but his arrangement came from a singer named Martin Carthy. Simon was always clear on his influences, but legal misunderstandings were a problem in these cases.
Los Incas, who were the group that introduced Simon to the song, provided the instrumentation when they recorded it in Paris with Simon. Their leader, Jorge Milchberg, played a charango, which is an Andean string instrument made from the shell of an armadillo. Simon played acoustic guitar, and other members of Los Incas played flutes and percussion. When Simon brought the track to America, he added his lyrics. This was one of the easier songs to record for the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, since the backing track was already mixed together - it was just a matter of adding the vocals.
The title translates to English as The Condor Passes. The lyrics Robles wrote to the song in 1913 are about returning home to his native Peru.
Los Incas leader Jorge Milchberg got a composer credit on this song along with Simon and Robles. Milchberg later became the head of the group Urubamba and remained friends with Simon, who toured with them and produced their first American album. >>
The Wainwright Sisters covered this for their 2015 Songs in the Dark album. Lucy Wainwright Roche explained to The Sun: I chose 'El Condor Pasa' because it was one of the first songs I ever learned to play on it guitar and it has a childlike quality to it, but it also has a darkness and sadness that fit in well with the album.
Paul Simon performed this on both Sesame Street (in 1977) and The Muppet Show (in 1980).

SKU: A0.913677

ONE OF THE FAVORITE SONGS THAT WERE SUNG TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF BANJO OR GUITAR AROUND THE CAMPFIRE BY THE AMERICAN PIONEERS OF THE WESTERN IMMIGRATION OF THE 1800’S.  From:  FAVORITE AMERICAN  FOLK SONGS, HYMNS, & SPIRITUALS OF THE 1800’S, VOL. II.

SKU: A0.973763

Native American Music for Harp contains 27 pieces based upon melodies for the cedar flute.  These include hymns, lullabies, dances, love songs, carols, and chants from various North American tribes.  It also includes some music by the Native American composer, teacher and cedar flute maestro, R. Carlos Nakai.  The arrangements are appropriate for a large lever harp with 2 octaves below middle C and tuned to Eb or C.   The songs are very accessible and appropriate for mid-beginner to intermediate players with limited or easy lever changes.

SKU: A0.943088

American Folk song of unknown origin, dating to the 19th century.

Scoring: SATB 4 part a Capella choir

Difficulty: easy/medium

Duration: 3.00 

A lovely addition to a program of traditional songs. Difficulty level suitable for high school/college choirs or community choirs getting started.

SKU: A0.915449

A HAUNTING MODAL SONG OF GRATITUDE FOR BEING SAVED BY CHRIST’S SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS.             From  FAVORITE AMERICAN FOLK SONGS, HYMNS, & SPIRITUALS OF THE 1800’S, VOL. II INTRODUCTION, VERSE, INTERLUDE, CODA, AND ADAPTATION OF WILLIAM WALKER'S 1835 ARRANGEMENT OF REFRAIN BY CLAY BOLAND JR.