This work is woven from material taken from L. M. Lindeman (1812–1887)'s Older and Newer Mountain Melodies of Norway. Lindeman was a Norwegian composer, organist, and collector of folk music. The piece was composed in the year of the death of Ole Bull (1810–1870), a Norwegian violinist who introduced Norwegian folk music to the world, and is dedicated to him. Grieg's talent was recognized by Bull, who enabled him to study in Leipzig.

1. Spring Dance. A lively 3/4 dance piece beginning with empty fifths. The left hand creates hemiola against the right-hand melody, producing a kind of polyrhythm.
2. The Youth. Based on a folk song from Våge. The gist of the text is: "The youth from the countryside asked his beloved if he could go on a journey, promising to return soon." It is characterized by a narrative melody. Beneath it, the left-hand line often forms perfect fifths.
3. Spring Dance. In this dance, a variety of accompaniment types are seen in the left hand.
4. Nils Tallefjoren. Based on a folk song from Gjerdal. The gist of the text is: "Tall and haughty Nils Tallefjoren went to the Høkstrud farm to propose. It went very well. His intended was Mrs. Turde." The richly sung melody is exquisitely harmonized. In particular, the brief darkening in the middle section makes the return to a bright atmosphere in the coda especially effective.
5. Jorstring (Dance from Jølster). It begins with an introduction featuring a vivid contrast between "ff" and "pp," from which the main theme's motif is derived. This toe dance, written in 2/4 time, is full of vitality with a constant eighth-note pulse. In the middle section, which is in 3/8 time, the music of a round dance also resounds, characterized by the left hand sustaining the tonic chord.
6. Wedding Tune. A tune from Gol in Hallingdal. It is written polyphonically, evoking a scene of people chatting.
7. Halling. This piece is an arrangement of a Norwegian Dance for violin and piano by Johan Halvorsen (1864–1935), a Norwegian composer, conductor, and violinist.
8. The Pig. Based on a folk song from Gjerdal. The gist of the text is: "And that pig had a snout sticking out fifteen miles. Oh, what a dirty pig it was." This piece has the character of a waltz.
9. When My Eyes Were Heavy with Sorrow. Taken from a collection of sacred music by Catharinus Elling, which was performed at the funeral of Bull, to whom this collection is dedicated. The gist of the text is: "When my eyes are weary with burden, and with a longing heart I gaze upon Salem's pleasant shore, my troubles vanish." It is written in chorale style.
10. The Suitor's Song. The first edition was titled "Ole Once Thought of Proposing in Sinde." The gist of the text is: "Ole once thought of proposing to Mikkel's daughter, the prettiest in the village. But did she favor Ole? She was rich, had a bed, and didn't need a suitor." Similar to "The Pig" (No. 8), it has the character of a waltz. In this piece, Grieg differentiates between rhythms combining a dotted eighth note and a sixteenth note, and rhythms combining an eighth note, a sixteenth rest, and a sixteenth note. The piece concludes with an arpeggio of the A minor tonic chord ascending over a wide range.
11. Battle Song. The first edition was titled "In the Norwegian Dovre Mountains." The gist of the text from Peder Syv's Collection of Battle Ballads is: "In the Norwegian Dovre mountains, a warrior who knows no sorrow sleeps. If we do not, who will perform the customary funeral?" The Dovre mountains are the legendary home of the gods.
12. Solfaerjel (Beautiful Sun) and the Serpent King. The gist of this folk song's text is: "Yesterday, the Serpent King came to the farm on horseback. Solfaerjel (Beautiful Sun) was outdoors, letting her hair dry in the sun. She said, 'I want to ride my horse into the forest.'" The melody is sung in the upper voice, accompanied by a characteristic syncopated rhythm.
13. Song of the Wedding Procession. In this piece, both the right and left hands play double stops or chords. It has a bright and lively character.
14. With a Sorrowful Heart I Sing. This Andante piece begins with a unison in the high register for both hands. From this opening unison, a deep sound is expected to be produced.
15. Last Saturday Evening. It is believed to depict a scene of dancing through the night. The gist of the text is: "Last Saturday evening, on my way home, I came across a party. I didn't go home until sunrise, when the clock struck ten, playing instruments, dancing, and enjoying myself freely." The melody is sung in the high register, accompanied by a texture reminiscent of plucked string instruments.
16. I Know a Pretty Maiden. This Andante molto piece, like "With a Sorrowful Heart I Sing" (No. 14), begins with a unison in the high register for both hands. In this piece, the melody is sung in the middle voice, primarily by the right-hand thumb.
17. Horsefly and Fly. The gist of this piece's text, originating from Kvikne, is: "The horsefly said to the fly, 'You will surely be the dearest to me.'" In this piece, the melody is often interrupted.
18. Stumbling Dance. The melody of this piece is believed to have been played at wedding feasts. It is characterized by constant staccato and consistently emphasizes forward momentum.
19. Horje Dale. The first edition was titled "Horje Dale Imprisoned in the Mountain." It is the story of Horje Dale, a man trapped in a mountain hut by a wizard. The gist of the text is: "Bright and fresh, the night breaks, and the magic fades. The sky is blue, and the birds begin to sing. The sun shines from the high mountain peaks. It is Sunday morning. People are heading to church." This expresses Horje Dale's painful and sad situation as he perceives people going to church from his mountain hut.
20. Halling. A powerful folk dance written in Allegro moderato, D major. Halling is usually performed as a male solo.
21. The Man from Sæter Valley. A piece characterized by strictly consistent accentuation.
22. Across the Marsh. Believed to be a cattle call song originating from the Valdres region. The gist of the text is: "Then we called across the marsh to the peaceful hill. All you animals, come." The main melodic line primarily consists of the constituent notes of the G major tonic chord.
23. Have You Seen My Old Woman? Grieg later used the melody of this piece in his Symphonic Dances. It has a distinct character, as if continuously chattering.
24. Wedding Tune. Originating from Vang in Valdres, this melody is believed to have been played when the bride entered and exited the church. This Moderato piece conveys the bride's elegance, as well as the lightness of her step and her youthfulness. It is characterized by staccato and the left hand repeating perfect fifths.
25. The Wedding of the Raven in Klokkerud. This piece is believed to originate from the Norwegian vocal tradition in Sogn. The gist of the text is: "Far to the east in Klokkerud, there is a wonderful town. All the animals of the world graze there. The groom, Bjørn the bear, is the biggest in the forest." Octaves are frequently seen, creating a grand atmosphere.