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Few 21st century American school children can sing by heart, let alone, recognize, traditional American children's songs. Why? Because fewer teachers are teaching the songs of our American heritage in school.  In 2003, Dr. Marilyn Ward addressed the problem by identifying the 84 songs most regularly taught in American schools, and most well known by our, 19th-20th century, populous.  [1] 

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The purpose of The American Heritage Songs Project is to provide parents and teachers with the songs and tools for passing on our national treasure to our children.  Folk songs of America are a large part of our children's birthright. By knowing American Heritage Songs, we can better understand who we are, where we are, and from whom  and whence we came. "Music is a symbolic means of expression woven through the strands of human experience we label as history" (Barret, McCoy, and Veblen. 1997).

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[1] Ward, M. (2003). The extent to which American children’s folk songs are taught by general music teachers throughout the United States at the beginning of the 21st century. In The extent to which American children’s folk songs are taught by general music teachers throughout the United States at the beginning of the 21st century.​​​​