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Dreams and Songs of the Noble Old

An examination of the talents and wisdom of elderly musicians, singers, and story-tellers, who perform not for fame or fortune but to preserve and share their culture. Stories told by Janie Hunter (80 years old) of Johns Island, S.C.; ballads sung by ex-coal miner and union organizer Nimrod Workman (91), of Chatteroy, W.V.; fiddle tunes and tales of moonshining and feuds from Tommy Jarrell (83) of Toast, N.C.; and footage from the Alabama Sacred Harp Convention in Fyffe, Alabama, in which people of all ages gather to sing old-time shape-note hymnody.

English
  • Originally Aired August 3, 1990
  • Runtime 58 minutes
  • Network PBS
  • Notes Is the series finale
  • Created December 24, 2014 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified December 7, 2023 by
    frizzlebiscuit
Name Type Role
Alan Lomax Writer
Alan Lomax Director