Introduction

Storytelling is one of the oldest human traditions, born at the inception of language and spanning across all cultures, countries, and generations. In the words of Rives Collins, co-author of The Power of Story: Teaching through Storytelling, "Storytelling is among the oldest forms of communication. Storytelling is the commonality of all human beings, in all places, in all times" (2005). Telling stories is a basic human need, and coupled with music and poetry, becomes a very powerful tool. Music and verse have been used to tell stories of humanity throughout history because they evoke emotion within the listener.