The Roud Folk Song Index

The Roud Folk Song Index is a cataloging system that organizes traditional American and British folk songs. Created by music researcher Steve Roud, it assigns each song a unique number, called a "Roud number," based on how it appears in various sources. This helps researchers, musicians, and enthusiasts track different versions, origins, and adaptations of folk songs across time and regions. The index serves as a comprehensive reference, making it easier to study the evolution and connections of folk music within a shared cultural history.