Studs Terkel interviews and discusses the history and cultural significance of folk music with Doc Watson. Topics include Watson's personal history and biography, the origins of some of the songs he sings, sacred music.

Ollie Gilbert, folk musician, and Jimmie Driftwood, folk songwriter and musician, discuss and folk music. They also discuss instruments such as banjos, guitars, and musical bows. The two musicians also talk about how music evolves over time and as it is passed through generations.

The following songs were removed due to copyright restrictions:, "East Virginia", "Sticking With The Union", "Old Blue", "Jesu, Meine Freude", "We Shall Overcome", "The Draft", "Sailin' Up, Sailin' Down", and "Precious Friend" an instrumental song.