The folk songs and ballads of early America describe life as experienced by the common people. They were sung within the family, by neighbors and at gatherings of larger communities. The stories told were carried in the memories of those who heard them. Once a strictly aural and oral tradition, the words came to be written down, and the surviving lyrics deserve increased attention as historic documents. In this article, the author describes the course she developed for her students at Calhoun Honors College. The course, which explored "truth" in song, focused on aspects of American history, communication, and sociology represented in the tradition of folk songs and ballads. A sample course outline is presented.