"Ron, people have been writing down songs for a helluva lot longer than 100 years. "

Of course. I did not write that correctly - what I was trying to say was that people were not transmitting songs in a written fashion as a rule. Certainly collectors and others were writing down songs, but the "oral tradition" that everyone discusses signifies that songs were learned by word of mouth - in community life, work, etc. Those events were far different than what we are discussing as "sings".

So if we all agree that there is "more" to music than singing in a book - what about events like Sacred Harp? It is not the same as a sing, BUT there is a purpose that is very similar.

While I agree with everyone who says that a "book" should not be a bible, we are still only hearing opinions about the so-called "problems" with using books.   On the other hand, we have also heard a number of statments from people who do use books and find it helpful to overcome lack of knowledge about the songs, shyness, forgetfullness, etc.   It still boils down to everyone having the option to do their own thing.

Dick, I do agree with you and others who have attended sessions where the book is the only item used and the rules are set. Those events serve a different purpose and you and the rest do not belong there.

By the way - some people have been referring to the blue book as "the bible". When you think about it, even the New and Old Testament Bible is argued about and interpreted in different ways by different groups. Hopefully there is room for everyone to do as they please and not worry so much about what the other group is doing.