Strom, Robert
Local author Bob Strom has published two books exploring Salem's history in ballad and song.
The books Old Salem in ballad and song and Old Salem at Sea in ballad and song pay tribute to Salem's musical history.
There are over 90 ballads and sea songs that entertained sailors in their long hours at sea and sea shanties
sung to "lighten the workload and as a relief from the tedium of hard hauling and pulling the lines and adjusting the sails required to keep a ship working."
The pages in "old Salem in Ballad and Song are filled with lyrics, verses, musical scores, illustrations and historical tidbits all with a Salem connection.
The introduction was written by local historian Jim McAllister.
An accompanying music CD includes 10 tracks that are representations of the songs you will find in the books.
Strom served on the Salem School Committee for the years 1998-2001.
See Also
"New books explore Salem history in ballad and song" Salem Gazette, Apr.9, 2021, p. 6A
Old Salem; in ballad and song R. Strom, 2020.
Old Salem; at Sea in ballad and song R. Strom, 2020.
