The essence of America lies not in the headlined heroes...but in the everyday folks who live and die unknown, yet leave their dreams as legacies

The dimension of cultural equity needs to be added to the humane continuum of liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and social justice.

People were saying that Southern folk song was dead, that the land that had produced American jazz, the blues, the spirituals, the mountain ballads and the work songs had gone sterile.

The modern computer with all its various gadgets and wonderful electronic facilities now makes it possible to preserve and reinvigorate all the cultural richness of mankind.

And the thing that I always tried to do with important singers when I met them was to sit down and record everything they knew, give them a first real run-through of their art.

Folk Music is the map of singing.

I knew Bobby Dylan back in the days when he lived in the village. He used to come and see me and sing songs for me, saying they ought to go into my next collected book on American folk music.

We write to share our thoughts and our lives.

I measure my friends not by being there with me when everything is going well, but embracing me when I'm criticized and when I endure tough times.

Lord, speak not what I am wanting to hear, but speak what you want to say. For what you say, is truly what I need to hear.

You know, ” he says, voice still low.“I have had nothing but trouble since you walked into my life.” “I’d walk straight back out of it if only you’d let me.

If a man devotes himself to art, much evil is avoided that happens otherwise if one is idle.

I don't necessarily look for dark themes; they just seem to appear.

You know, when you're in public life, everything you do is out there. But I am proud to stand on my record.

One's whole being vibrates like strings brushed by an invisible wind.

If Christianity was morality, Socrates would be the Saviour.

If we are going to be happy and have any chance at growing then we must learn how to forgive others ... and ourselves.