"In Hear My Sad Story, Richard Polenberg describes the historical events that led to the writing of many famous American folk songs that served as touchstones for generations of American musicians, lyricists, and folkloristsm,"--NoveList.

The inhabitants of Old MacDonald's farm are described, verse by verse.

In this version of the familiar song, the reader is asked to guess which animal comes next by looking through a peep hole.