Thanks, especially to Sorcha, for the **quick** responses. Pretty much everything I had hoped for (except that the "tab" page seems to provide just chords and lyrics, no tablature -- am I missing something?) The thread from the time of Fred's passing provided some very nice reading.

George, I hadn't been aware of Belafonte's recording -- interesting.

Mudlark: Since I first heard "The Dolphins" performed by imitators/amateurs before ever hearing the original, I would hope not to feel the same reluctance to take a stab at my own interpretation. (I eventually *did* hear Fred's own recording, and of course it was wonderful.)

Unfortunately, in my mind's ear, I can only hear the refrain (lines 3 & 4 of each verse), and don't feel sure about how the other lyrics fit the meter. I'd have to track down an actual recording and listen carefully before I could give it a shot -- and maybe listening to the man himself would leave me too humbled and intimidated to proceed!