My grandfather had a record player that was housed in a wooden cabinet that he built himself. It was the centerpiece of his living room and had a sliding top that was divided in the middle. One side was the player and the other side held his records, while several speakers were built into the front panels. I was always fascinated with its construction, and enjoyed playing the records.  He taught me to be careful in removing the discs from their cardboard covers and how to properly lower the needle to prevent scratches.  It was my first encounter with records and music.

Some of his recordings were Mitch Miller songs including “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and “John Brown’s Body.”  Yes, we would “sing along with Mitch,” but I apparently didn’t always know the lyrics.  In fact, just yesterday I discovered that I was completely wrong about the words to “John Brown,” and had to laugh.  I had always thought it was “John Brown’s body lies aboldred in the grave,” yet when I looked up the definition of “aboldred,” I found that the word doesn’t even exist.  I must of made it up from how I heard it as a young child on the record.  I’ve been singing the song wrong now for at least 55 years.  The actual lyrics are: “John Brown’s body lies a-moldering in the grave.”  Aboldred somehow doesn’t seem as gross, so I might have to ask Webster to add it – maybe an adjective meaning bravely.

This all came to light as I was watching the Civil War documentary by Ken Burns, my latest retirement assignment.  John Brown was an American abolitionist against slavery, best known for his raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1959 to initiate a slave revolt.  He was executed by hanging for his actions, and immortalized in this marching song and camp meeting tune.  The original lyrics were a collective effort by a group of Union soldiers, and through the years the words were changed to aspire to a higher literary level, eventually evolving into the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  I did not make the connection between the Mitch Miller song that I sang as a kid and the famous Union ballad by Julia Ward Howe, until I watched the documentary.  “Mine Eyes have seen the glory.”

I’m sure there are other songs where I’ve twisted the lyrics a bit because of my tin ear, but to find out you’re wrong after 55 years is not exactly instant feedback.  I also learned from the documentary that because of the poor conditions, long hours, and strenuous work, only four out of every one hundred slaves lived to see age 60, let alone 66.  It’s just another reminder of how fortunate I am to live in these times and with privileged circumstances.  John Brown’s sacrifices played a major role in setting the slaves free, by inciting the Civil War.

Ever since my visit to Normandy earlier this year, I’ve made an effort to be more knowledgeable about those who have made it possible for me to live a life of freedom and prosperity.  The Ken Burns documentaries on “Viet Nam” and “The Civil War” have played a major role in furthering my education.  Books on Lincoln, and the Bill O’Reilly publications have given me insights into the Revolutionary War, World War II, and our Civil War.  I’ve had the chance to visit Appomattox and other key battle sites, Pearl Harbor, the Lincoln Presidential Library, and Gettysburg, but I honestly haven’t tried to put it all together until this year.  As George Santayana is quoted as saying: “Those who are unaware of history are destined to repeat it.”  I agree – you don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.  Maybe someday I can be aboldred like John Brown.