Song Samples (MP3 Format) Cielito Lindo (Norteño)-Cielito Lindo (Huasteca)  (2.574 MB mp3 file)  The Days of Forty-Nine  (3.150 MB mp3 file)  Sweet Betsey From Pike (2.034 MB mp3 file) CALIFORNIA SONGS with historical narration - Volume One- Nineteenth Century Thirty-nine songs depicting California before and during the turbulent 19th century. Two CDs and Notes on the Songs (WEMCD605) Total Playing Time: 2 hours Companion Songbook Now Available. ". . .the historical sweep of this lively, enlightening work is impressive. . .the McNeils take care to include a multi-cultural perspective on the racially fractured times, noting in sound and historical narration the plight of women, African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and immigrant Chinese."           San Diego Union-Tribune ". . .These performances are truly inspired...Performed by the McNeils in the spirit of Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly...This music absolutely belongs in a library.  For all practical purposes, no library in either the public sector or at the college level should be without access to these CDs and the songbooks...This is multidimensional and deep work, broad in scope, collecting the myriad influences of our music..."           The Electronic Review Part one: Indian, Spanish and Mexican California Spain explores California and establishes missions. Indians at the missions chant the mass to European traditional and popular music. Mexico gains independence from Spain and creates a distinctive California culture. Americans arrive, clash with Mexicans, and establish the short-lived Bear Flag Republic. The United States declares war against Mexico.  The Songs: You Who Don't Believe It La Sandunga Mouth Bow Muiñeira D' A Fonte Kyrie Eleison Cielito Lindo (Norteño)-Cielito Lindo (Huasteca)  (2.574 MB mp3 file)  The Spaniish Fandango Windy Bill El Cañtico Del Alba La Paloma All The Way to Californy The Dying Californian Part Two: The Gold Rush Mexico cedes California to the United States. The gold discovery brings people from many countries. American citizens cross the plains, sail around the Horn and cross the Isthmus. Immigrants arrive from China, and are barred from the mines. African-Americans come to the mines, some leave California for British Columbia. Steamboats fill the rivers. The Port of San Francisco becomes notorious for shanghaiing sailors. The Indian population shrinks.  The Songs: My Darling Clementine Oh, California A Ripping Trip Seeing The Elephant Crossing The Plains Joe Bowers The Days of Forty-Nine  (3.150 MB mp3 file)  Cripple Creek California Ball Sweet Betsey From Pike (2.034 MB mp3 file) Mark Twain Quote John Chinaman's Appeal We're All A-Panning Over My Head Noah North to Victoria Steam Navigation Thieves Sacramento The Big Five Gallon Jar La Indita My Log Cabin Home Part Three: Railroaders, Boom and Bust The Union Pacific, with the help of thousands of Chinese railroad workers, completes the transcontinental railroad. The Southern Pacific monopolizes rail traffic to and from California. Farmers rebel against high-handed railroad tactics. After ten years of depression, the boom begins again.  The Songs: I've Been Workin' On The Railroad Subsidy John Chinaman, My Jo Hayseed Like Me The Bummers' Hotel I Had But Fifty Cents Order CD's and Song Books Back to: Back to: