Uncle Dave,

Foster's intended meaning (1850s):
No matter how far we may travel or what sadness the world imposes on us, all our hearts ache for the best memories of childhood, the security of a family and parents ("old folks"), the familiarity of a home.

I can see from your post, you, as well as many others, are dreaming for something that will for the most part always remain in the realm of dreams. Sad to say history reminds us of this fact. Foster in his heart of hearts told us no matter how far we may travel or what sadness the world imposes on us, all our hearts ache for the best memories. Yes, memories and dreams, what a motivating force. Makes me sad to see how many kids and many of the younger generations today all over the world don�t have a real family and parents (�old folks�) and the familiarity of a home such as I had. How can they even have any concept of what we are talking about. Working mothers, single mothers, kids raised by baby sitters and day care centers. The kids being taught morals and values by people who don�t even know how to spell morals much less values. Don�t have the foggiest of what they mean.

Music is a powerful teacher - let's use it to Reteach the values that will enhance our lives, and not drag us into ruin. Good idea. Civil Rights Era (1950s-1960s): Any song ever associated with negative ethnic images should be eliminated. Uncle Dave you strongly agree with that. The government also and have made many laws in that direction: If it were up to me I would Include drugs and many other categories. Also I would have much to say about the songs of druggies and the musicians who use them also. They have been glorified as great wonderful people and musicians. Sad, sick times we live in.

But we live in a free society. We have been created with a free will. We live in an imperfect world. If God zapped all things that was evil He would have no way of judging people. Each one must choose which way he will go. God told Adam and Eve the consequences of eating the fruit of good and evil but gave them freedom of choice. One of their kids were good and one evil. The evil one got all bent out of shape when God would not accept his ways. God told Cain don�t get all bent out of shape. Don�t you know if you straighten up and fly right I�ll accept you? And you know the rest of the story. Jesus said the same thing and they dun him in too. He boiled it all down into a few words. Do to others what you would like them to do to you. Short and sweet. All that was ever written in any law or mouthed by any prophet in a few words.

Bud, would those few words have done any good in your situation? I understand there are over 500 different religions and subdivisions or denominations of these religions in the USA. All with different flavors of doctrines. All supposed to be christian. None can get along. All have knowledge of these words. It�s in their book. Jesus spoke these words and changed the world in his day. Now we have millions of books, scores of songs, thousand upon thousands of preachers who never have enough money or stained glass and now look where the world is headed. What�s wrong? Like the old saying goes - �Keep it simple stupid�. Again Jesus said it: You must be doers of the word and not just hearers otherwise you are building your house on sand. No foundation! Just simply good bye Charley when the rains come. We need a lot less of hot air and much more action. Action that starts at home. We must always remember God gave everyone free will and never forces anyone to become a slave. The choice must come from our own free will. That will be accepted, honored and rewarded.

Enough from an old man that has seen and heard many things. Just thought I would throw my two cents into the mix. Me is me and you is you. He is he and her is her. Let the crowd of us always gain knowledge but more so understanding. Without understanding coupled with wisdom, knowledge could be dangerous. Just the other day I learned about adding a (s) to my chord notation. The trouble with that knowledge is I don�t understand or have the wisdom to know how I ever will use it. I took a song the other day and notated it with the continental chord notation. With the knowledge I had acquired do this I looked at the finished product and mused: Alec would be proud of me! Alec is a man of understanding. My buddy came over and I proudly showed him my masterpiece. New song, he commented. Fire up the board and let me see how it goes. Here, let me give it a try, he said. Hey, wait a minute, he belched, what are these screwy chords your using. You gone off your rocker or did you forget how to type? Guess I lacked wisdom showing him the piece without explanation.

That�s OK. Sometimes I don�t understand all I know about things. Ruthie says my wisdom might be warped at times. But I still would like you to comment on my pontificating.

Grampa Doug