"The British ballads became a new kind of form in their hand. And out of them came the blues, a new kind of song of commentary and satire, a song form which, after all, has become the main musical form of the whole human species"

This quote by Alan Lomax talks to the power of music and its ability to go beyond cultural limits. He is referring to the British ballads, which were adjusted by African Americans and transformed into the blues. This brand-new type of music was a commentary on the African American experience and a type of satire. It was a way for African Americans to reveal their sensations and experiences in a creative and effective method. The blues eventually spread around the world and became the primary musical form of the entire human species. This quote speaks to the power of music to bring individuals together and to produce a shared experience. It also talks to the power of African American music to affect and form the music of the whole world.