Along The Colorado Trail

FIRST LEE HAYS PRINTED APPEARENCE The other “composer” of “Colorado Trail” is Lee Hays, a singer and songwriter who was also a social activist. His activism and compassion for the common man was said to have begun when in 1919 or 1920, at about the age of five, he witnessed the lynching of African-American men in Arkansas; and his interest in folk music was fostered by his uncle, the eminent folklorist, Vance Randolph.Lee Hays and Ronnie GilbertLee Hays and Ronnie GilbertThere were two major folk music “revivals” in the United States – in the early 1940s and in the late 50s and early 60s, and Hays was actively involved in both. In 1940, he joined with Pete Seeger and Millard Lampell to form the Almanac Singers, a group which rather fluidly included, from time to time, the likes of Woody Guthrie, Josh White and Bess Lomax Hawes. That group disbanded during World War II, and after the War, Hays formed the Weavers with Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman. Hays either wrote or co-wrote many well known songs, including, “If I Had a Hammer,” “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” and “Wasn’t That a Time.”I cannot tell you exactly how Hays and Sandburg may have worked together, but Hays certainly knew of American Songbag, which had become a classic, and Sandburg has written that folklorist Alan Lomax took Sandburg to see the Weavers in Greenwich Village, after which Sandburg wrote: “The Weavers are out of the grass roots of America. I salute them…. When I hear America singing, the Weavers are there.”
Composer: Lee Hays
Lyrics: Carl Sandburg ~ Lee Hays
Type: Professional Copy
Publisher: Folkway Music
Dated: 1950
Origin: American
Size Standard
Provenance: Hill House Music Archive

Notes & Literature: In the world of sheet music publishing, the professional copy, also known as a conductor's score or performance edition, typically comes first. Here's why: Purpose: Professional copies are intended for musicians and conductors who need a clear, uncluttered view of the entire musical score for rehearsals and performances. Decorations on a cover might obstruct important musical details. Distribution: These copies are often distributed in advance to musicians or orchestras before the public release. This allows them time to learn the piece before a performance. Printing Process: In some cases, professional copies might be printed as pre-production versions to ensure accuracy before finalizing the public edition.

Condition Report: Slight wear. Very good.

Subject References: SH Box 1