In Chicago it is and was a folk radio program. Besides folk it has turned to show tunes and comedy as well over the last 30 years. The first host was Mike Nichols--now a film director of note. Then Ray Nordstrand and Norm Pellegrini. Now it's hosted by Rich Warren.

Most of the explanations here of how the song came to be, along with the light setting prisoners free idea, have been used by many many many of our introductions on stage for this good old folk chestnut. Soooo, it must be true, right??

Art