Music has always had the ability to comfort and inspire.

I came from an intellectual family. Most were doctors, preachers, teachers, businessmen. My grandfather was a small businessman. His father was an abolitionist doctor, and his father was an immigrant from Germany.

Sometimes you find an old tune so good you can use it several times for different purposes.

I’ve found that festivals are a relatively painless way to meet people and make a few points that need making, without having to hit them over the head with too many speeches.

Again, I say I will be glad to tell what songs I have ever sung, because singing is my business.

I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked, especially under such compulsion as this. I would be very glad to tell you my life if you want to hear of it.

A song is like a picture of a bird in flight; the bird was moving before the picture was taken, and no doubt continued after.