There's lots of good copyright information here and elsewhere on the net, but I'm pretty sure that if you want to play "ashokan farewell" in public, even if you get paid for the performance, it is the responsibility of the venue or promoter to pay BMI or ASCAP licensing fees (or directly to Jay, if applicable). If you record it and make sellable copies available, then you have to make arrangements to pay royalties to one of the above. Check out the "copyrights" thread of a few weeks ago. It has links to authorities in this field. The real truth is, however, that no one, authorities included, can answer all questions concerning copyright. Even though I have a personal stake in protecting intellectual property, I think the copyright laws in this country are ridiculous. No one can really tell, in many situations, who owes what to whom(grammar check).

Good luck, Chet W.