INTRODUCTION -- 1931
When the old parts and later additions to the present new volume came before the writer for revision he was impressed by two facts, one the number of Irish songs and how impossible it would it would be to make a similar collection of old ballads at the present time in Pennsylvania, the State has changed so much in ten years.

ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION
As long ago as 1898 the present work of collecting and compiling the old-time songs of the Pennsylvania backwoods lumber camps was contemplated, and should have been at least begun.