I would be interested in others' preferences for the original version where it appears that Sonny will leave versus the revised version where he stays.

I find the revised version to be supurb poetry, a stunning use of simplicity of language to create a rich picture. The original version seems to me to be good, but not great.

Also, I had a very strong personal reaction to the revised version. I was not aware of the song at all until I heard it recently when playing a videotape of PHC from 4/26/86. I, an only child, "DID go away" from a midwestern farm. Hearing it reminded me of the profound sadness my parents must have felt when I went off to college and then to jobs in New England.

My mother and dad stayed on the farm until Mother died about ten years ago. Now, at age 92, my dad is in a nursing home with me, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren all in New England. We can only visit occasionally.

Wayne