Marion: My apologies to Danny Boy and all his supporters, friends & family. I don't really have anything against that lovely song, nor its even older and lovlier air. I do know that performers can get sick and tired of repeatedly playing such widely popular numbers, and also that some of the most Hiberniocentric among us *do* have objections to this popular tune for not being truly Irish. Also that the Catholic Church in the US -- or, at least, the bishops of severals prominent dioceses -- has prohibited its performance at Irish-American church funerals.

Peg: I'm sure you two put forth a *wonderful* on harp and vocals, anyway, and would be glad to have heard it.

Back to you, Marion: It never occurred to me to buy off another streetsinger occupying one of my favorite spaces. Of course, it's been many years since I was a full-time busker -- perhaps those were more innocent days(?) I don't believe that I would have accepted your twenty bucks (even in 1972 dollars!) to walk away, even though I might not have collected as much in an hour and a half. (Well, perhaps I might have suggested trying a higher bid!)