Legends and Life in Texas ─ Folklore from the Lone Star State, in Stories and Song

There is sometimes a fine line between history and folklore. This Publication of the Texas Folklore Society tells stories about real-life characters from Texas’s history, as well as personal reflections about life from diverse perspectives throughout the last century. The first section covers legendary characters like Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, and people who were bigger or bolder than others, yet seem to have been forgotten. The second section includes works that examine songs of our youth, as well as the customs associated with music, whether it’s on a football field or in a prison yard. The works in the final section recall memories of a simpler time, when cars and home appliances lacked modern conveniences, and when it was a treat just to go and “visit” with family and friends. All of these works capture something of our past, if only to carry it on and keep it alive for generations to come.

KENNETH L. UNTIEDT is the Secretary-Editor of the Texas Folklore Society. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Texas Tech University. He is a professor of English at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he teaches Technical Writing, American literature, and folklore. He and his family live on a farm west of Nacogdoches, Texas.