Stephen Foster: The bicentenary of the father of American music

Stephen Foster's songs remain among the best known music to come out of the United States, with classics like Oh! Susannah, Hard Times (Come Again No More), and Old Folks At Home still covered to this day. He wrote with an ear to melody that saw his songs performed both in minstrel shows and in the parlour, and with an ambiguity that led to his lyrics being claimed by both sides prior to the civil war.

July 4 marks 200 years since Foster's birth and, on his bicentenary, Christopher Lynch, author of Formulating Foster, will explore the music, the myths, and the man behind them.

Music heard in this program:

Title: Hard TimeArtist: Emmylou Harris and The Nash RamblersComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: At The RymanLabel: Reprise Records

Title: Old Folks At HomeArtist: Paul RobesonComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: A Lonesome RoadLabel: ASV

Title: Oh! SusannaArtist: 2nd South Carolina String BandComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: Hard RoadLabel: Independent release

Title: Camptown RacesArtist: 2nd South Carolina String BandComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: Hard RoadLabel: Independent release

Title: Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young CharmsArtist: John McCormackComposer: Thomas Moore

Title: Jeanie With the Light Brown HairArtist: Jan DeGaetani & Gilbert KalishComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: Songs By Stephen FosterLabel: Nonesuch

Title: Beautiful DreamerArtist: Broderick SmithComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: Crayon AngelsLabel: ABC Music

Title: Hard Times (Come Again No More)Artist: Bruce Springsteen And The E Street BandComposer: Stephen FosterAlbum: Live at Nassau Coliseum Label: Independent release

Title: Sabotage! feat. Josh PykeArtist: DOBBYComposer: Rhyan ClaphamAlbum: MarshmallowLabel: ABC Music

Technical production by Isabella Tropiano

The show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.