I had no idea he was born on the 4th. How appropriate is that?!? I remember music class in 4th or 5th grade, when we would sing some of his better known works. I hope that has not gone by the wayside, but I fear it probably has. His tunes and lyrics really transport one back to another era. In some ways, more effectively than a history book.

Thanks for this, Roger.

Oh, and what a 20th century master Chet Atkins was!

As always, fascinating stuff! I'm dying to know how you know about this kind of thing!

Thanks Steve and Monica---what's also interesting about this guy is that he was only in the south twice in his life. . .he sure did make some music though. And I still wonder about that hauting line he left on that scrap of paper. . .

i never knew this. and yes chet atkins was true genius.

appreciated and rated!

Hard time come again no more? Here in Appalachia, that is not history, it is reality. Kris Kristofferson's take on that kind of freedom seems more appropos:

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose
Nothing ain't worth nothing, but it's free"

Yes, it is good that we celebrate this Independence Day. But we should be mindful that on July 4th, 1776, independence was not declared for many.

The Declaration that was adopted by the Founders, the version that has come down to us, was much less harsh on the King of England than Jefferson's original version. It is said that even after the amended version was adopted, Jefferson continued to use his version. It contained this remarkable passage that excoriated the King for his role in slavery:

"He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivatng and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of INFIDEL powers, is the warfare of the CHRISTIAN king of Great Britain. Determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce."

The hypocrisy of that charge is all too obvious in our day, but Jefferson was apparently blinded by his own need to benefit from this "execrable commerce". That is one reason such references may have been left out of the amended version of the Declaration.

This all but schizophrenic compartmentalization was apparent in others of the Founders, since the subject of slavery was barely mentioned during the Constitutional Convention. In fact, the infamous Three-Fifths Rule legitimized slavery in the Constitution.

The Founders ducked this issue, and that led to a nation divided. The United States was only truly united after a bloody Civil War and the death of more than half-a-million people.

Some argue, reasonably I say, that the consequences of the Founders failure to deal honestly with this matter are still with us. I would argue that the same bending to "execrable commerce" that legitimized slavery is the root cause of our present financial sorrows.

ddnt knw thnks

Tom---and here I thought I was writing about an unknown line in a song Stephen Foster never finished!

Great stuff. Love Foster -- 37 cents, sad beyond belief -- Chet, the McGarrigles, and Kristofferson. This is REAL music that most of the pop "icons" working today wouldn't recognize if it sat up and bit them.

As happens a lot lately, you gave me chills. Thank you for this wonderful tribute. I hope you and yours have a very happy and healthy holiday.

Emma--I agree. The icons of today would have no clue what to make of Chet, the McGarrigles, and Kristofferson. I bet Stephen Foster would have liked what they did with his music though. . .

The story of the 37 cents---which was confirmed by his brother--gets even sadder in that according to legend (and this is not confirmed) Foster was sick, and hit his head on a wash stand.

What is fact is that last line---"Dear friends and Gentle hearts" was also found in his pocket. Just that one line.

Like Sally, that gave me chills too.

I love how you post things that make smart people like Tom Cordle whap me in the face with truths I'm often more comfortable not considering.

Thanks Sandra. The lyric to the one Foster song that the McGarrigles and Kristofferson speak to those truths Tom named and that whapped you:

Let us pause in life's pleasures and count it's many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears;
Oh, hard times come again no more

So that plea that Foster made, that Kristofferson makes, that Tom makes---is all the same plea. Just as true back then as it is now. Not just in Appalachia---but across the world.

It takes a songwriter to pick up on that. A smart one.

And the music to that song captures the plea perfectly. The Chet Atkins piece shows that with Foster, there is a story told in every song even if there are no words.

But the real mystery is that last unfinished song. The one line left behind "Dear friends and gentle hearts."

I wonder where he was going with that. . . .

Thanks for the links. As years go by, it's far too easy to forget a master like Foster. Like Procopius, my grade school class sang a couple of Foster's songs.

I stopped by to listen earlier today and forgot to rate and comment. This was lovely. Thank you for sharing these clips.

Hard Times Come Again No More - one of the greatest American songs, and one that never fails to choke me up, thanks for offering it in honor of the day

have a Glorious 4th

Me too Roy---I think it sums a lot of things up.

Stim and JK---thanks for listening. The story is interesting. But the beauty is really in the music.

This is so good of you Roger.........tender souls........

Rated and appreciated. Thank you for the lessons learned and the beginning of a search for more music.

Thanks for getting it Gary. . . .

Kris---thank you. I couldn't imagine a better thought than the search for more music. I keep coming back and listening to this throughout the day and every time I do---my stomach unclenches and my blood pressure drops about 10 points.

thanks for this

Roger - Thanks so much. The music was perfect -- I listened to it with my day's first cup of coffee, in my backyard (thank goodness for wifi). You started my Fourth of July off on a wonderful note, and I got to see Rufus Wainwright, too. I hope you have a great weekend.

Your library of knowledge always amazes me, Roger. Great stuff. Happy 4th of July!

Kathy--thank you! the fact that you keep coming back is much appreciated.

Maria---hearing this outdoors even makes it better!

Thanks Cartouche ---I can't remember what I had for breakfast---but I can remember the line found in Stephan Fosters pocket when he died. . .I guess that's good. . . .sorta. Kinda Maybe.

These were new for me. Thanks for broadening my view, as your posts usually do.

And for what it's worth, Stephen Foster was born on July 4, 1826, the same exact day both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams passed away. Like I said, for what it's worth -

Snuck out to my porch so I could listen without waking everyone. Soulful, mournful, lovely. My wistful favorite is: "Beautiful dreamer".
Thank you dear friend and gentle heart.

wyman---on this quiet little far from the front page blog----that is worth a LOT. Thanks!

Thanks Nora!

Teresa---that is my favorite too.