The book presents the reader with a unique in its integrity picture of the existence of a ditty in a Russian village of the 20th century. The main part of the book was made up of ditties recorded from residents of the Belozersky Territory and Northern Pinega. Moreover, of particular interest are not only the texts of ditties themselves, but also the comments of the performers, which make it possible to get acquainted with the circumstances in which ditties were usually performed and even the history of the creation of some texts. Field research materials are accompanied by an extensive introductory article, which examines in detail the themes of the village ditty, the features of its performance, its place in the life of the Russian village. For folklorists and everyone interested in Russian culture.