"Anxiety or optimism – which side is the song on? It depends who sings it."<p>As you describe, doesn't it also depend on the lyrics?<p>After all, the version from The Carolina Tar Heels (1952) has "New machine has set me free." The Molsky version deliberately changes the lyrics to make it sad. Had that line remained in the new version, would it still be sad?<p>FWIW, other examples of folk songs of how change [1] can leave people behind are the ballad of John Henry (eg, see George Pal's 1946 cartoon) or Phil Ochs "Automation Song" ("Now you've got new machines for to take my place ... I'm walking down a jobless road and where am I to go") from 1964.<p>[1] You quoted 'Progress can leave some people behind, even as it benefits society'. I use the word "change" because "progress" has two meanings: change over time, and positive change over time. The book you referenced seems to suggest that all progress benefits society. I disagree with that viewpoint, so I used a more neutral term.