The best way to learn a song is aurally from a person who knows the history in person. How many of us really have that opportunity? If I could sit at the feet of Big Bill Broonzy, Jean Ritchie or Buell Kazee and learn the song first hand I would be happy.

So...we go to recordings and books. Publication preserves some songs as in the case of Barbara Allen which was forgotten for many years until it reached print. Many a "Broadside" ballad was scribbled out on a piece of paper and learned that way.

The doubtful service is when people become "paper trained". They don't have the courage to deviate from the "score" and do their own version. I have no problem changing lyrics when I think I can improve on them and that goes for all the written and anonymous songs that I know. The best songwriters don't need any changes. I won't get into that mess o' beans.

I think one of the doubtful services is trying to imitate and be something you're not.
Style is one thing but making your voice crack or squeak because you think it sounds authentic is phony.

Learn 'em anyway you can is my tune.

Frank Hamilton