In the foreword, Henry Lefkowitch (1891-1959) states that "folk-songs reflect and depict the life of a people". This collection includes "cradle songs and songs of the "Cheder", love songs and haunting melodies of Jewish wanderers longing for home, songs of hope and aspirations, of tragedy and hopelessness…"

Henry Lefkowitch was a composer and publisher of Jewish music. He operated the Metro Music Company. He had studied composition with Ernest Bloch and wrote many Jewish art songs and some liturgical music. Her served as a conductor and founded two symphony orchestras that were later absorbed into other groups. He was Secretary of the Society of Jewish Composers. He had been a guest conductor at the Canotrs' Assembly of America and lectured on music on the radio and also conducted at Cooper Union.