I just found this thread. Please feel free to write to me via my website and I'll write back.

The song is called "The Voice of Pete" and is indeed based on "Joe Hill." I use Pete's guitar tuning, dropped D.

My website http://www.paulkaplanmusic.com now has my new CD "The Folk Process" pictured on the home page. Clicking on the picture brings you to the CD Baby page, with all relevant information and samples. Songs include all my Digital Traditions songs: "Call Me the Whale," "Henry the Accountant" and "I Had an Old Coat"; there are a total of 14 folk processed songs.

Lyrics to "The Voice of Pete" follow.

THE VOICE OF PETE
(Paul Kaplan)

1. I dreamed I heard the voice of Pete singing strong and free
Says I, "But Pete, you lost your voice," "It never died," said he
"It never died," said he.

2. You used it up at concert halls, and all those picket lines
Says Pete, "I lost my vocal cords, my voice is doing fine
My voice is doing fine.

3. "Though some would say my voice has died, it's never been as strong
As when it comes back amplified by those who sing along
By those who sing along.

4. "For I am like the shantyman who stands before the gale
And helps us pull together so we all can raise the sail
We all can raise the sail.

5. And just before my dream was o'er he left me with these words
"When what you sing comes from the heart you always will be heard
You always will be heard."

RePete first verse.

Words: Paul Kaplan; Music: Earl Robinson ("Joe Hill")