My father urged Alan [Lomax] not to repeat the mistakes of the European folklorists who, a century ago, had collected these peasant songs and then arranged them for part choir and accompanied them on piano, and then told the young people of their country, "Don't change a note, this is our sacred heritage." Father said, whether it's a fiddle tune or a gospel song, learn it right off the record from the people who grew up with it. Don't just learn it from a piece of paper.
Pete SeegerDo you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't.
Pete SeegerSome may find them merely diverting melodies. Others may find them incitements to Red revolution. And who will say if either or both is wrong? Not I.
Pete SeegerBut I decline to say who has ever listened to them, who has written them, or other people who have sung them.
Pete Seeger