I was concerned that I had asked a "stupid question," but I didn't know how to phrase the question.
      Mary in Ky. observed that some American Black "church singing" might be similiar. Now that I think about it, it probably is true.
But, the "old way" of jean Ritchie sounded very different. There has to be some kind of "form" or "structure" to it. I wonder waht it is?
Maybe you flatten a note on specific counts or points of phrasing? Does anyone know?
    Several years ago, when i was reading a James Fenimore Coooper novel (I think it was the Deerslayer), a figure in the novel was a psalm singer on the American frontier, who had absolutely no other skills. I think Cooper was poking fun at the "church" with this figure. I asked someone to sing the psalms like that character, and they sounded like the "Old style" of Miss Ritchie.
    Once again, thanks to all!!!!