How does oral transmission cause folk songs to change over time?

Because folk music relies on oral tradition, it does not exist in a fixed or standard form. Instead, songs are subject to a process of communal re-creation as they are passed between individuals, such as family members, friends, and coworkers.12

Several factors drive these changes over time:

• Human Factors: Variations arise naturally due to individual creativity, forgetfulness, and the singer's own stylistic expectations.1
• Performance Dynamics: It is nearly impossible for a performer to sing a song exactly the same way twice. Each performance may be unique, leading to the development of different versions and variants.23
• Structural Adaptation: Songs often evolve structurally; for example, a four-line musical structure may be shortened or rearranged to fit new stylistic preferences or to align with the musical traditions of a different region or culture.12
• External Influences: Folk songs are frequently influenced by other musical styles, including popular or church music, and can even be adapted from written sources or commercial recordings.14

Ultimately, a song's survival depends on its acceptance by the community, which continuously reshapes it through performance.1