When I sang/recorded "Master Of The Sheepfold" it was without the "original" dialect that Sarah Pratt MacLean Greene (1856-1935) used in her poem called "De Sheepfol'". I feel her poem is most probably the origin of this song. It was printed in Sing Out! (in a column) as "De Massa Ob De Sheepfol'". My changing the song's dialect had nothing to do with political correctness. It was simply my gut wisdom that told me that this dialect was offensive, not only to me, but to so very many people--white as well as black. Our hateful modern times demanded that I morph it some. I, and others, strive mightily to leave the sad trappings of slavery and it's aftermath (which we are STILL going through) behind us. I do this because, as recent events have stressed to me/us, insane baggage from that era is present here and now. It is with those strivings and sensibilities in mind that I changed history (NOT) and the song. Hell, even Jean Luc Piccard changed history when it didn't interfere (too much) with his prime directive.

And, I feel, it made a better song that promoted inclusiveness instead of ostricism, tolerance of difference instead of ethnic cleansing and live-and-let-live instead of a "kill the pig" (Lord Of The Flies) mentality.

No, just calling something "politically correct" in order to discredit a heartfelt logical stand arrived at by much deliberationn is a Limbaughian technique that would've made the despots of our century grin, not spin, in their gaves.

Art Thieme