Alan [Lomax] and his father started off changing the definition of folk music from something ancient and anonymous to something very contemporary.

I learned by transcribing songs out of the Library of Congress collection in Washington where I was working. I got a job when I just turned twenty in 1939 and Alan [Lomax] needed some help. I listened to hundreds of records every week.

Music does affect your opinions. Plato is supposed to have said "It's very dangerous to allow the wrong kind of music into the republic."

I feel most spiritual when I'm out in the woods. I feel part of nature. Or looking up at the stars. [I used to say] I was an atheist. Now I say, it's all according to your definition of God. According to my definition of God, I'm not an atheist. Because I think God is everything. Whenever I open my eyes I'm looking at God.

Hope that there are many, many small leaders.

The first step in solving a problem is admitting there is a problem to be solved.

Singing with children in the schools has been the most rewarding experience of my life.