Appalachian Spring is a folk tale set in the Appalachain wildernes of Pennsylvania during the pioneer period of American history. Its characters are a young pioneer and his bride, a pioneer woman, a wandering preacher and his small band of followers. The dance tells, in lyric terms, of the young couple's wedding day, the building of their house, their celebration, the preacher's dire sermon and the pioneer woman's gentle blessing, and the day ends as they start life together.