George Pullen Jackson
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

May 8, 1937

Mr. Virgil Thompson
Resettlement Administration
347 Madison Ave.
New York City

Dear Mr. Thompson:

I did not wire answer to your telegram because I could not get the needed information before today, -- after the time when a wire would do you any good.

By today's express I send you a copy of the Sacred Harp and one of the Harp of Columbia. These are the only "fasola" books in print. They contain all but 20 of the Eighty Most Popular Tunes. Those not contained in those two books are: Nos. 2, 4, 9, 13, 15, 16, 19, 29, 36, 37, 38, 39, 44, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 74, 80b, ( as numbered in my White Spirituals in the Southern Uplands, pp. 133-150).

I have copies of the out-of-print books containing these last numbered 20 songs and shall be glad to furnish you with transcripts of them at 25 cents each, or $5 for the twenty; that is, in case you desire simply the tunes. If you wish also the harmonic parts, the task will be greater, and it might be better for me to get photostat copies of the page. I do not know just what photostating costs here, but it will probably be somewhat in line with similar charges elsewhere.

I should state here, that the Eighty Most Popular Tunes are only a fraction of the total number of Spiritual Folk-Tunes which were sung by the country singers a century ago and, to a great extent also today. I have discovered no less than 600 of these fine tunes during the past three years. A collection of some 250 will appear next fall. Another collection of the same size will be published shortly thereafter. I tell you this since it may possibly have some bearing on your film plan. My collections, however, will contain simply the tunes and texts, no harmonic parts.

I note your desire for other songs and books used by the "harp singers today". I am not quite certain whether by this you mean the country singers or the Old Harp Singers, my concert group. The real country singers use the Sacred Harp only. All the rest of the old books have gone out of print and have disappeared from view. I should correct this statement: Also the Harp of Columbia is still in print. And the country singers in these books sing their books from cover to cover.

The Old Harp Singers (my group of eight singers, named after their country sousins) use the Sacred Harp. When they find the need, on their programs, of a song not in the Sacred Harp I make transcripts of such songs (like Mississippi, for example) for their use. I can furnish you with transcripts of as many of such non-Sacred Harp songs (like 'Mississippi' as you may wish,

Of course, there is a lot of junk in the Sacred Harp and in the other out-of-print books, mixed in with the pure folk-tunes. In my forth-coming collection I have tried to separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat being the ancient tunes which have lived by reason of their being racial tunes, not individually composed ones. I have the feeling that it is this sort of comparatively racial and comparatively permanent music which you wish for your government documentary film. Am I right?

I imagine also that your film is one which will preserve merely the notation, not a <u>sound</u> film. If by chance it is the <u>sound</u>, the <u>singing</u> which you wish to record, I might be able to suggest some ways in which this can be accomplished.

I shall be glad to hear more about your project; and I assure
you of my willingness to help in any way within my power.

THE OLD HARP SINGERS OF NASHVILLE • TENNESSEE

Vanderbilt University May 24, 1937

Dear Mr. Thompson:

You will like all your assembled books excepting possibly your
*Christian Minstrel*. Jesse Akin was either afraid of, or ignor-
ant of, the real country folk-music.

I'll have 'Mississippi' copied off for you and enclosed, if pos-
sible, in this letter.

What you say about the actual singing of the country songs inter-\ests me deeply. It has been my objective for some time to help
Americans to this *happening* singing and hearing. The Old Harp
Singers have been my only implement. Now the composers and the
Publishers are co-operating. But the material is still fresh
and new.

I have something in the way of privately made records, some for
steel needles and another set *mum* on aluminum for wooden needles.
I shall bring them both with me when I come to New York shortly
and let you hear them if you are interested and if we can get to
a machine.

I shall also look forward to swapping ideas with you as to the
dramatic side of the old singing practice and its possible use
in film form.

S.S. Hansa

My visit to New York is en route to Europe. My boat/sails on
the night of June 12. I shall arrive in New York sometime rather
early on June 10 and look forward to the possibility of seeing
you perhaps that afternoon. Will you let me know if that would
be convenient, and at what hour?

HALEYVILLE, ALA.

1911-

Heditions

6/2937

B. F. White & E. J. King

DEAR SIR: REC-YOUR ORDER FOR ONE SACRED HA HARP AND WE ARE GIVING IT OUR ATTENTION. I DO NOT THANK WE WILL BE ABLE TO FURNISH YOU WITH THE 1911 PUBLICATION, BUT WILL AND BE GLAD TO TO FURNISH YOU WITH THE LAST REVISED PUBLICATION OF 1936. I AM HOLDING YOUR CHK UNTIL I HEAR FROM YOU. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT ONCE

WHEATHER TO SEND NEW SACRED HARP.
YOURS VERY TRULY, THE DENSON MUSIC CO.

Thru' Jackson & his Orchestra

321 North Seminara Street

HALEYVILLE

WWW.HALEYVILLE. ALABAMA. NET

MR J. THOMPSON,

NEW-YORK N.Y.

DEAR SIR: I AM HERE WITH RETURNING YOUR CHK AS WE ARE UNABLE TO FURNISH YOU WITH THE ORIGINAL SACRED HARB J.S. JAMES 1911 REVISION. THERE IS MUCH DISATISFACTION WITH THE LAST 36 REVISION AND THERE IS SOME CHANCE OF GETTING A REPRINT OF THE 1911 EDITION WITH SUPPLEMENTARY ADITION WITH OUT THE CHANGE OF THE ORIGINAL NUMBERS. COULD WE GET SOME SUPPORT FROM YOU AND YOUR SECTION HELPING TO FINANCE THIS PROJECT? PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS MATTER. WHAT WOULD BE THE CHANCE OF GETTING A REAL PROGRAM OVER THE RADIO FROM YOUR CITY ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK USEING THE HARMPLUSIC.; I HAVE BEEN THANKING OF COMING UP IN THAT COUNTRY AND TRYING IT OUT. I HAVE AN IDEA THAT IT WOULD GO AND ALSO BE A PAYING PROPOSITION. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME ON EITHER OF THE MENTIONED SUBJECTS, I WILL APPRECIATE IT ..

YOURS VERY TRULY,

THE DENSON MUSIC CO.

BY B. WHITT DENSON

Music For Any Occasion

A

RCA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
A RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA SUBSIDIARY

Camden, New Jersey

November 13, 1940

Mr. Virgil Thomson
NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE
230 West 41st Street
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Thomson:

I share your special interest in records of genuine folk songs. Only
last Friday I was discussing some of these records with Bela Bartok,
who himself has made such significant recordings of Central European
folk music.

Several weeks ago recordings were made at Atlanta, Georgia, of the
Roswell Sacred Heart Singers. These recordings have not yet been manu-
factured. I assume that they are the ones to which you refer, as Denson
is given on the recording notes as one of the arrangers of the music,
and the address of the publisher of the music is given as Haleyville,
Alabama. At the moment I am unable to give you any further information.
The gentleman who conducted this recording session is not in the office
today. (In fact he is on his wedding trip.) I have not personally
heard the records.

Just as soon as he returns, I shall send you as much further information
as possible and shall see to it that you receive advance copies of the
records as soon as it is possible to have them manufactured.

In the meantime, I would like to suggest other records in this field.
So that you can make your own selection, I am enclosing the Bluebird
Catalog of so-called Hillbilly and Race records. Some of these would
be sure to impress you as being genuine, unique and significant. Others,
of course, are sheer "corn" intended for city "juke-boxes." (In country
towns they seem to have better taste about such matters.) Just for fun
I am sending you a record by a negro quartet, known as The Evening Four,
which you might not notice as it is incorrectly listed in this edition
of the catalog. I am anxious to know your reaction and to know whether
you would be interested in hearing other records in this field, whether of
a similar or of a contrasting nature.

"GORECAALLTHEWAY"

Mr. Virgil Thomson

- 2 -

November 13, 1940

Not all records of native American music are released on the Bluebird label. There is John Jacob Niles, a "mountaineer tenor", who has made two albums of songs having an Elizabethan origin that he has found still being sung in this country. Mr. Niles, of course, has been to Oxford and so has had some training as a musicologist and a consequently sophisticated viewpoint. However, he has made a conscientious and relatively successful effort to enumerate the manner and the spirit of country singing. One of his albums is already available. Another is to be released within a few days for December sale and there is an additional single record. Descriptions of these are enclosed.

John and Lucy Allison have made a Victor album entitled "Ballads of the American Revolution and War of 1812." I have not heard these records but the Allisons themselves, Lucy with her guitar and John singing, were a lot of fun at a square dance I attended not so long ago.

Woodie Guthrie, the "Okie" whose voice was heard singing the fade-out song in the moving picture "Grapes of Wrath," has made two whole albums of "Dust Bowl Ballads" -- songs of the migrant settlers.

Do let me know if you would like to have any of this material.

mhh

enc.

C
O
P
Y

Roswell, Georgia

12/16/40

Mr. Richard Proskauer:

Dear Sir:

In regard to the information you wanted concerning the Sacred Harp Quartet, I am sending to you the hymn book which we use.

The songs that we've recorded are No. 144, 288, 340, 408. You will find the history of each song at the bottom of each page, except the song 408, the author of this song was J. P. Reeve, you will find his history of Page 424, in this book. The song 340 Oden was composed by S. P. Oden of Alabama, in 1935.

This type of music is widely known in the Southern States, and is the only hymn book that has the complete rudiments of music in it. I am sending you singing minutes so you can see how long this kind of singing has been carried on.

In regard as to how long we have been singing, the time ranges from forty to twenty years, but we have only been singing in the Quartet about six months, we use this type of songs because they are based on the Bible, you will find a scripture citation at the top of each page. Each of us like to sing and we know that we get more spiritual benefit from this kind of music than any other that has ever been published.

Camden, New Jersey

January 3, 1941

Mr. Virgil Thompson
NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE
230 W. 41st Street
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Thompson:

The enclosed letter is a copy of one just received from Mr. Noah
Reeve, Jr. of the Roswell Quartet. The enclosed pamphlets are the
property of Mr. Reeve which he has asked us to return to him. How-
ever, I thought that you might be interested in seeing them.

Mr. Reeve's information about the Sacred Harp singing has been very
revealing to me. I thought that you might also be interested.

emp
Enc.

“GO RCA ALL THE WAY”

January 9, 1941

Richard Proskauer, Esquire
Press Division
RCA Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Camden, New Jersey

Dear Mr. Proskauer:

I thank you for the Sacred Harp literature and
the record. The latter is interesting, but, on
the whole, pretty corny. There were better
Sacred Harp records available several years ago
under the Bird Blue label, sung by the Denson
Singers from Haleyville, Alabama. I should like
very much to get hold of these records, if they
are available. Also similar records of all that
repertory.

The one record that you sent me, even if the
singing were less tricky and vaudevillish, is
still only one record. I could scarcely make a
Sunday article about the Sacred Harp music from
that. I do hope you can find me some more.

Very truly yours,

May 29, 1941

Dr. George Pullen Jackson
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Dr. Jackson:

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my visit
and how extremely grateful I am to you for
your company and guidance through the mazes
of musical folklore.

I enclose a clipping of the article about the
Southern Harmony singing. I am having the
publisher send you also a copy of the "State
of Music" which I hope will entertain you.
Send the Sacred Harp article any time you feel
like it. It really needs no news peg at all.

Very faithfully yours indeed,

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

April 12, 1944

Dr. George Pullen Jackson
1715 Temple Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear George:

Thanks for the card. The book is a
beauty. I do hope some trip of yours or mine
will bring us into conversation again soon.

Always faithfully yours,

HOTEL SUBURBAN
EAST ORANGE, N.J.

HOTEL SUBURBAN

East Orange and Summit

NEW JERSEY

WRITTEN FROM EAST ORANGE

HOTEL SUBURBAN
SUMMIT, N.J.

Where the plans were finished.
I think I said that Hepburn
in Mallor, the Bahama Islands.
When I caught those people I
bring in the Sponge Lards. I
know Sir Ormond the Count me that
Alcohol General, each one that
old Hepburn I called those Engs
Negroes, who had new Reveg
before (see 1889); I'm not my
brothers trip.

Kelly Cheathorne was old friend.
Sheep I placed for her. Sheeg
that's accompaniment.
Smoo Ker Flack Remmie
Sheeg her. They are more lakes
from Hepburn. Sheeg her

HOTEL SUBURBAN

East Orange and Summit

NEW JERSEY

HOTEL SUBURBAN
SUMMIT, N.J.

WRITTEN FROM EAST ORANGE

Great Northern or 118 Tenth 57th
Archives Ward Leeper visor of Missie
J Mmtelais Schools. Leeks
be Colored Boys + girls here
They Rsv a room for us
He makes them 90 a day
get their teeny from the sep
red people.
When they bring
accompany us it is different
from anything you hear from red London
a call from an alien
Mentalism.
Harry Perley L Banks to
Harry Perley L Banks to
 bring like a whole person
Rland Hapes says he has

June 22, 1944

Mrs. W. S. Nelson
Hotel Suburban
East Orange and Summit, New Jersey

Dear Mrs. Nelson:

I suggest that you write to Dr. George Pullen Jackson at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, for information about early hymn books.

He is the man who knows most about them.

Very sincerely yours,

4002 Royal Oaks Drive

GEORGE PULLEN JACKSON
CLARKMONT PLACE
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

January 20, 1951

Dear Virgil:

It is pleasing to look forward to your visit here.
Nine years since we last got together.

My daughter Frances Helen Parker and I hope to see you
while you are here. We don't know the time of your arrival
or your schedule excepting its professional part and
(as the Symphony office tells me) your possible ac-
ceptance of Roy Harris' bid for you after the concert on
Tuesday.

It would be great fun for us to have you out at our home
after the rehearsal Monday. We'd promise to get you back
to your hotel at a none too ungodly hour.

Frances (whom they all call "Sally") is the orchestra's
harpist and chairman of the Junior Board -- is as crazy
about such work as was her father 25 years ago.

We might also have a few musical friends out after that
rehearsal, too. In case you find it agreeable and possible
to be with us, I hope you will suggest a friend or two
of yours here who might come out too. It is quite possible
and even probable that Roy will have used up your list
of friends for his party Tuesday. But we'll see, And it
will be nice to hear from you that you'd like to be with us,

With old and pleasant memories,

4002 Royal Oaks Drive

GEORGE PULLEN JACKSON
TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE 5 TENNESSEE

March 12, 1951

It was thoughtful of you, Virgil, to send me MUSIC
RIGHT AND LEFT.

I have read into it and look forward to digesting
every article. For you write so darned well and
your ideas strike home with me.

We are still thinking pleasantly of your visit here.
Things like that pep us up, renew our confidence
that the geographically broad picture of our culture
is still coherent and that we can cohere and become
a worthwhile detail in the picture.

The Houston Symphony was here last week -- played
not so much better than ours as one might expect
when one contrasts their three hundred thousand
budget with our fifty-odd. Sydney Dalton (our very
good reviewer) glowed and wisely made no comparisons.

Sorry about the fish at (on) out table. Then fish
again at Roy's. But there you had some alternative.

Best wishes and thanks for your auto-
graphing the book, and for the book itself, from

4002 Royal Oaks Drive
Nashville 5, Tenn.
September 6, 1951

Dear Virgil:

I understand your fix regarding blurbs perfectly and sypmazhize with you. I shall now do what I should have done -- search the haystack of your writings for the Jackson needle.

Now for a non-related subject: The John Powell Foundation (for the buying of his former Richmond home and for the furthering of interest in and performance of his music) has made various arrangements for the Virginia premiere of his *Symphony in A* (based on folk tunes) to be played by the National Symphony orchestra with Howard Mitchell conducting, Monday, November 5, in the Mosque auditorium in Richmond. The Foundation asks me to extend to you a cordial invitation to be its guest on this occasion. The Foundation leaders feel, as I do, that due to your abiding interest in American compositions and American folk music, the event must have a mighty pull on you. They therefore hope sincerely that you can and will accept their invitation.

Your letter from Maine came during my absence from Nashville on a cooling-off trip which also included backwoods-Monson, Maine, my birthplace.

With the best of good-friendly greetings,

George Pullen Jackson

Mr. Virgil Thomson
Care the Herald-Tribune
New York, N.Y.