Dear All,

What a way to start the day! Who knew that finding lyrics could be such a moving experience. Not me!

Thank you all so much! I am on my way to meet friends, then have to do some work, but now I have something to look forward to when I return home--I'm gonna copy those lyrics down, listen to the song again, & see what I hear.

I took my iPod to my parents yesterday (they are both 88) to see if they had ever heard some of the music I've been collecting--"Idumea," and some other shape note singing. My dad (a Missouri boy) lived on a farm & they'd have weekly or monthly house parties & barn dances. My mother is from east Texas w/her people having settled the area largely through logging. She said she'd heard that type of singing before, but thought it rather low-class. Dad likes the bluegrass music better. However, I am still thrilled when I hear those voices raised as much as from a Beethoven symphony, "my" prison work song, or . . . I could go, and I AM going on!

It's so good to be here! Thanks again--very much!