Hi, Julia-

Mudcat membership is not required for posting in the music section, although it is required in the non-music (BS) section. Membership gives your posts a verified identity, and gives you personal messaging and access to a few features. If you don't post regularly, it won't be of much value to you.

The 1940 U.S. Census shows Alonzo Lewis lived in York, Maine, and was 66 at the time - so he was born in 1874 or so. Wikipedia says that the poet Alonzo Lewis (1794-1861) lived in Lynn, Massachusetts. He had six children, including a son named Alonzo who was born in 1822. I'm guessing that the singer is Alonzo III (or more) - and it's clear he has poetry (click) in his family.

To me, the song sounds very local. I'm guessing that Bill Seymour and his brother Warren were real people, likely from the York area.

I wonder what more we can find.

Even if you don't need help on the transcription, I'm sure some of us would love to hear the recording, and to know how we can get access to the Helen Hartness collection. Can we access it on the Web somewhere?

-Joe-