LUNCH WITH BOOKS: Historic West Virginia Anthems with Eli Lambie

December 28, 2021
1:00pm - 1:00pm

From the "West Virginia Grand March to His Excellency Governor Arthur I. Boreman" (1865), composed by Wheeling's E. A. Weber to “West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home” (1947) by Wheeling's Col. Julian G. Hearne, our humble state can boast of a plethora of unofficial and official state anthems, many of which were composed in Wheeling. In this first of two programs to explore the subject, Eli W Lambie — singer/songwriter, pianist, educator, leader of “Eli and the Mojo Kings,” Wheeling Symphony player, and composer of his very own West Virginia tribute song — will visit Lunch With Books to share the fascinating history and sounds of five lesser known songs of West Virginia. In part two on January 4, 2022, we will be joined by WVU English professor, Dr. Sarah Morris, and "The Troubadour," Bob Gaudio for an exploration of that most famous of West Virginia anthems, John Denver's iconic and internationally ubiquitous, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (1971) which turned 50 years of age in 2021.

In addition to being in-person in the Library auditorium, this program will be available to watch live on Facebook Live, on YouTube, and on the OCPL website's LWB Livestream page.  Log into your Facebook or YouTube account during the program to leave questions for our presenters in the comments box. They will answer them during the live broadcast. 

PRESENTER BIO: Eli W Lambie is a singer/songwriter, pianist, and educator. He is the leader of supergroup, “Eli and the Mojo Kings,” and also plays with the local band Hit Play and The Wheeling Symphony.

FEATURED BOOK: Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills, by Patrick Ward Gainer (Seneca Books, 1975)
[ Reserve a copy from the Library |  purchase a copy from WVU Press ] 

Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills is a major work of folklore poised to reach a new generation of readers. Drawing upon Patrick Ward Gainer's extensive ethnographic fieldwork around West Virginia, it contains dozens of significant folk songs, including not only the internationally famous "Child Ballads," but such distinctively West Virginian songs as "The West Virginia Farmer" and "John Hardy," among others.

Folk Songs from the West Virginia Hills stands out as a book with multiple audiences. As a musical text, it offers comparatively easy access to a rich variety of folk songs that could provide a new repertoire for Appalachian singers. As an ethnographic text, it has the potential to reintroduce significant data about the musical lives of many West Virginians into conversations around Appalachian music—discourses that are being radically reshaped by scholars working in folklore, ethnomusicology, and Appalachian studies. As a historical document, it gives readers a glimpse into the research methods commonly practiced by mid-twentieth-century folklorists. And when read in conjunction with John Harrington Cox's Folk Songs of the South, it sheds important light on the significant role that West Virginia University has played in documenting the state's vernacular traditions.

Lunch With Books Livestream starts at noon on Facebook and YouTube.

Subscribe to the Lunch With Books Youtube channel or like us on the Lunch With Books Facebook page or to receive notifications of our upcoming LWB broadcasts. To receive emails about our upcoming programs, visit our News page, click the "Subscribe" button to sign-up for our news blasts or download our free OCPL Connect app from your smartphone's app store. 

"Lunch With Books" is the library’s flagship program for adult patrons. These lunchtime programs feature authors, poets, musicians, historians, and more every Tuesday at noon. Bring lunch (to your computer), feed your brain!