Could you direct me to where I could purchase the collections of sheet music or songbooks for Ken Burns'
"National Parks" and "Civil War"? I would like to learn many of these songs for the piano.
Thank you,
Alan M. Bass

Hi Bobby,

Watching "Baseball" last night I thought I caught a glimpse of your name in the credits. Great work, as usual.

Am making plans for Ohio-East Harbor State Park...."Atta Boy, Bobby!"

Hi. I'm searching for an instrumental track played in Ken Burns's National Park Series.

I am trying to find the music that was in the background of the Bicyane Park narrative (Episode 6, I believe). The segment involved the Jones Brothers< Sir Lancelot Jones & King Author Jones.

The narrator was discussing a vote by landowners to sell the land to a developer; a black and white photo spans out to show several white men in causal clothes with nautical hats (e.g. captain hats). The instrumental composition in the background had an upbeat swing tempo with a snappy horn section leading the way for the bass and drums to follow.

Can you or anyone tell me the name of the music or the band that recorded that song? It's been in my mind for months and I have got to get that recording! Thanks.

As is always the case with Mr. Burn's works, the music weaves a wonderful tapestry around the visual experience. I would love to be able to purchase sheet music for guitar to Land of Rest. Does anyone know where I might find it?

"Atta Boy, Bobby!".....You're the best!

Thank you old friend!

Which music is the "theme" song? Can it be purchased anywhere? Can any of the music be purchased?

Hello Ted,
The funky guitar piece that opens the show is by Al Petteway. The title is
"Sligo Creek" and can be found on the soundtrack from the film. Al wrote
the tune and is the man who plays it -- obviously he is an marvelous
musician!
Thank you for contacting me.
Happy New Year,
Bobby

I found your music years ago when Ken Burns first began his journey in telling the American story. I found it great inspiration for my Civil War research and writing.
The choices of hymns I think captures America at her finest borrowing from her roots across the ocean in the tradition of Scottish/Irish music as well as the unique sound that was birthed upon these shores.

Good music does not need words but can inspire and evoke all forms of emotion without the use of a single phrase.
I do hope that you come to visit Georgia soon. I would so love to hear you perform.

Your music from the Ken Burns series The National Parks is simply incredible! Before I even finished the series as it was airing on PBS, I purchased the DVD set and the soundtrack. I simply cannot stop listening to the soundtrack. My favorites are Land of Rest, Shores of Ogygia (my absolute favorite!), This is My Father's World, In Nature's Hands, Dunlap's Creek, Beside Brown Waters, and Across the Ocean. Thank you so much for bringing something so beautiful into my life!...

Dear Bobby,

We saw some of the National Parks series here on APB. We waited eagerly for the credits are were delighted to see your name there. We're going to be using your Lyrical Science again in the Spring. Katie is really looking forward to it; she still fondly recalls our visit to your studio! (Actually, we all do!) Thanks for the wonderful music!

(Katie asked me to share this with you. She tried her hand at some folk tunes recently. You can see a few clips at this link: http://www.youtube.com/KatieHGuitar)

All the best!

Pam -- My how Katie has grown! I went to youtube and watched each piece there -- I am really proud of her. She is playing beautifully (I am not at all surprised!!!!). She is truly a lovely young lady and I am proud of her. I fondly remember when you all came to see me. I hope you will come back again!

Sir, I loved your music in "The National Parks" Many pieces are not in the soundtrack we ordered. Could you identify the lively benjo piece played while Margret Gerkins is narrating the couple's trip to Mesa Verde? That trip appears before "Back of Beyond" which is followed by Episode 5 "Great Nature". It would seem to be in Episode 4 but we do not know for sure since we had taped out of order. Do you have this piece on another soundtrack? Thank you so much

Was Virgil Thomson's music used in the first half of the "Great Nature" segment, (1933-1945) or was it a piece by Aaron Copland? The credits were too small and too quick for me to read, and I'm just curious. I really enjoyed the musical selections used throughout the series.

The folks in Walpole put the music in that you are referring to. I do remember hearing a part of Aaron Colpand's APPALACHIAN SPRING in the show. Copland is a favorite of mine -- I thought his music worked perfectly. Thank you so much for contacting me -- I wish I could be more precise regarding your question. Bobby.

Thank for you Land of Rest in the National Parks.It was wonderful. I just bought it from Amazon and would like to know more about the tune. Who wrote it? What instruments and tunings were used on the recording and the like? Its a beautiful piece. Peace Joel Beckwith

Outstanding job on the soundtrack for The National Parks .... haven't been moved by a soundtrack like this is years! I can't stop playing it. Thank you for your contribution and the three years of work you put into the effort. Your variations are wonderful additions to timeless music. Do you ever make appearances in Southern California? I would love to hear you in person.

Thank you Sara for your contacting me and your very kind words! I was in Brawley and San Diego a year or so back doing a Civil War Concert / Lecture -- I had a wonderful time. I will try to keep public performances listed on my website. Bobby

Dear Bobby,
I hope you don't mind, we played your lovely tune, "Land at Rest" last night at our open mic up here in the Seattle, Wa area. My partner fell so in love with this tune last week that he videotaped the show and listened to it over and over...and over and over until he got what sounds to us to be fairly close. We did a fairly simple arrangement, playing octave mandolin and autoharp. It did sound quite nice, but we really haven't put our flavor on it yet. We would like to know if this is your composed tune or a traditional tune that is your lovely arrangement? We think we hear an extra measure at then end of the B part, is that right? With so many pretty tunes as part of the National Parks soundtrack, yours was the one that just grabbed our hearts first and said "Play me, play me"! Thanks ever so much,

By the way, if you could book a gig in the "Up State New York" area, my new home, I believe the members of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild would pack the place! The old Broadway Theater in Kingston, now known as "The Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) is a wonderfully restored venue that must have been made for you. Whenever you hear "Atta Boy, Bobby", you'll know that I'm near!

ALL of the series music has been wonderful and so appropriate! I particularly enjoyed and would like to know the name of that wonderful tune over the end credits of tonite's episode (#5)?

I loved that song, too. I think it's "Indian Summer" performed by Sidney Bechet.

Bobby, Only you can understand my appreciation of your talent and musicianship but, most of all, your friendship over a period of almost forty years. Thank you so much!....."Atta Boy, Bobby!"

The only problem is ....PBS runs adverts over the music credits at the end so you can't see what the selections are.
What a shame! I'd like to see what the music is and who the performers are. Lots of nice early jazz selections.
Some cretin has decided that PBS should follow what the regular programming networks do......run adverts over the end credits to grab the viewer for the next segment. PBS viewers do not need that.

timgman, if you go to http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/about/music/ and scroll down a bit, the songs and performers for each episode are listed.

Linda,

Many thanks.

Tim

i really enjoy the soundtrack to this series including that acoustical guitar riff that runs through the program. Any chance you might be able to give us the chords ? I would really enjoy that.....thanks

I googled to this site to find out what the name of that wonderful song is that has threaded its way through the National Parks series. Looking at the comments, I see that this song is "Land of Rest." It was a perfect background for the amazing photography, and I find myself humming it all day long. I'm extremely impressed with this series. Both the photography and the music are absolutely wonderful. Thank you soooo much for this marvelous work.

Thank you Linda so much -- I really do appreciate your kind words!
Warmest Regards -- Bobby

I recognized a tune played repeatedly in this film titled "Late Summer Air". This was written by a 12 year old kid in a fiddle class led by Matt Glaser at Valley of the Moon Fiddle Camp. We were told to try making up our own tune and this kid comes up with this great tune. Did he get proper credit for this?

Hello Carl. I am sorry I am not familiar with "Late Summer Air" -- I cannot tell you about the credits for this one. I am assuming Matt played it for the film. The folks in Walpole handle rights issues.
Kindest Regards -- Bobby

"Late Summer Air" Was written by Sam Bigney and I believe he was listed in the credits as composer of the tune. Sam plays fiddle and writes tunes for Celtic trio Kirkmount. http://www.kirkmount.com

Hi Bobby . . . .

Joanie and I haven't seen you since eating breakfast with you and your wife on the RiverBarge when it was docked in Florence a couple of years ago.

We have yet to get over the fact the RiverBarge is no longer operating and that we can no longer see and hear you in such an authentic environment. You and the rivers are a perfect match.

We have, however, been watching the National Park series and thinking of you at the same time. It's a great production and you have every right to be proud of how well you contributed to it. I'm convinced you are doing on this great earth exactly what was intended.

Keep at it and above all, be careful.

Hey Fred -- Thank you for your very kind words! I definitely miss having breakfast with you and Joanie on The RiverBarge.

Love the music for "National Parks"! Just beautiful.

There is one song that's driving me crazy. It's called "Land of Rest". I remember my mother singing this to me when I was a child. It had words to it, but I can't find them on the Internet. Do you know where I can find the lyrics?

Thanks so much for the wonderful music :o)

Jan

Love the music for "National Parks"! It's just beautiful.

There is one that is driving me crazy. It's "Land of Rest". I remember my mother singing this to me as a child and there were words to it. How do I find the lyrics for this song. I've searched the Internet but to no avail.

Wonderful job, I'm really enjoying it :o)

Bobby, our family has been enjoying this series so much. Your music is the perfect enhancement to the photos and stories that are being shared. As a former banjo student of Herb Trotman and as one who spent many nights listening to Three on a String in various haunts around Birmingham during my college days, it was a joy to learn that you were the genius behind the music for this gorgeous production. I particularly loved hearing the familiar strains of " This is My Father's World" as HE is the amazing Creator of all this beauty we enjoy.Congratulations again and THANK YOU for sharing your musical talent with the world in this way. We have so much to be proud of as Americans! I hope there is a soundtrack available and that you will be nominated for a Grammy! Thank you again.

Thank you Katherine for your very kind words! I do love "This Is My Father's World" as well. Ken, Dayton, and the whole marvelous crew in Walpole are the best and they did a wonderful job with this film.
Kindest Regards -- Bobby

Wonderful!

Please tell what that recurring traditional tune is. I found "This is My father's world" but unless it's an alternative tune that's not it! I know it's somewhere in the Episcopal Hymnal but I stumped. I have the tune stuck in my head and snippets of lyrics but no complete phrase! Help!

Hi Neil,
The tune is "Land of Rest" from The Sacred Harp (originally 1844). I wrote the "B" part because the original was very short. You can tell where the original melody ends -- my addition goes to the relative minor. Thank you for checking in.
Bobby

Neil,
The last post I made to you is incorrect. I was thinking of another tune. I found "Land of Rest" in a marvelous book written by Annabel Morris Buchanan called "Folk Hymns of America". This is a very old book and I could not find a copyright date (I'm guessing 1920's or 1930's). The tune is a variant of a tune from Scotland or Northern England. It was first heard in this country in South Carolina. It made its way to The Appalachian Mountains and came down through the ages via the oral tradition. I am sorry about the erroneous post I made a few minutes ago.
Bobby

Well, if you are wrong then so is this website. Whatever the origin this is the tune you referred to... as soon as I found te lyric I knew it...

For those fellow Episcopalians it is "I come with joy to meet my Lord' According to the website Anglicans Online http://anglicansonline.org/special/hymns/index.... "Top 20 hymn tunes to be set on a desert island with" it is "Set to a frightening number of tunes, including St Botolph, Land of Rest, University, Barchester Fair, Bramwell, and Twyford. Brian Wren, 1971. An American Episcopal favourite when sung to Land of Rest. The only Top 20 hymn written after World War II.

Thanks Bobby! I hope this entertains your Episcopalian followers!

Since you are talking about Episcopalians, I'll bring up Methodists. In the United Methodist Hymnal, the tune is #695, O Lord, May Church and Home Combine. Music: USA folk melody, arr by Annabel Morris Buchanan, 1938.

Bobby, is it possible to buy the sheet mucic to the tume that includes your part "B"? Thanks.

Gordon

You should be very proud of being on this film. I was racking my brain as to who was playing guitar on the film (thought Don Ross from Canada initially) and then was please to see it was Al Pettaway. Amy and Al have been faves for several years now.

Congrats on being part of this treasure.

I came here too because I am enthralled by the Ken Burns series on our National Parks. What a joy. I have always liked Peter Coyote as a narrator (and actor, too), but beyond the words and scenes is your gorgorous music, Bobby! Remember the black Forest Ranger describing the lady in Yosemite Valley who had a transcendant moment and could only exclaim "Oh my, oh my!" as she looked around? THAT'S me as I listened to the end credits as you played LAND OF REST. I want the looong version at the end. I love it! Reminds me so much of all the Celtic tunes I grew up listening to. It is gorgeous!

Keep up the good work, and thank you so much for your beautiful music, and your contribution to this wonderful PBS series.

Thank you for your very kind words David! I love "Land of Rest" -- it is from The Sacred Harp (published in 1844). It is very short, so I composed the "B" part that is in the film -- this helped lengthen the piece. I did quite a few different versions of this one -- I think the version you heard during the end credits is the same one that is on the soundtrack.
Kindest Regards,
Bobby

I listened to 30 sec.snippets of each song on the soundtrack tonight, and although no song runs over 5 minutes, the compilation and order is organic and sublime. Yes -- the version of "Land of Rest" on the CD is the same as the one used at the end credits. In addition, during tonight's episode (#3), I seemed to notice the song played more throughout. Maybe that's just because I only "discovered" it at the end of episode #2.(?-LOL) I researched the song and found the history at the Calvin College website, as you have described to another poster. Ms. Buchanan apparently died in the early 1980's.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Celtic music -- especially songs with chords that lyrically hang and then resolve, as in this piece. I moved to the upstate of SC almost 40 years ago to be near Pisgah National Forest. My forebears settled in what is now Davidson County, NC. I have often thought of them as I have hiked in Shining Rock Wilderness, or enjoyed the only old-growth forest I have ever seen, at Joyce Kilmer National Forest.

Thank you again for your lovely music. I'm doing some early Christmas shopping! DDavidson

"This is My Father's World" was my dad's favorite hymn. He was a conservationist and loved the outdoors. All of our family vacations were spent camping at a National Park. Watching the film series and hearing this music is bringing back such wonderful memories.

Bobby, I have visions of you coming and playing "This is My Father's World" and "Land of Rest" at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Ruston, Louisiana. SOON! :-)

John Allen Bankson

Hi John -- I would like that very much! Bobby

Hello, what is the name of the background guitar music to Ken Burn's National Parks: America's Best Ideas.
Played at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUxEu8PsPmQ

Hello Dennis -- The tune is called "Sligo Creek" and comes from an album by Al Petteway. Al is a fine composer and a great player. This is just one of his many terrific compositions. Bobby

Hey Bobby! Watching the Ken Burns films and heard your music. Wish I could sing with you in the MBPC choir again! John Allen Bankson (now in Louisiana)

John -- you are certainly welcome to come back home...anytime!!! I'd be glad to see you. Bobby

I just started watching the Ken Burns National Park series and was compelled to find out who put together the music. I was pleased to find the answer by a simple google search and sine I found you I want to thank you for your contibution. The acoustic music really added to the series, Thank you for your work.

Angela -- Thank you for your kind comments. I must tell you, the folks at Florentine Films make all the decisions regarding what music is in the film and they are all very "savvy" regarding music. I have two hours and fifty-three minutes of music in the Parks film that I recorded here in my Birmingham studio. It is such fun to work with the folks in Walpole. I write tunes for their consideration, demo tunes for Dayton that he likes, and hunt for "period" music that is appropriate in the beginning stages. They decide what songs they like and then it's "off to the races." I have been working on this program for a little over three years -- I am sad that it's over!

I came here for the same reasons as Angela. Did you compose the music they are using for the advertisements? If so, what is the name of that song, its great?!

Pete, I don't know which advertisement you are referring to, but I'll bet it's Al Petteway's "Sligo Creek." He wrote and played the version that opens each show. His albums are great and you can get the theme on the "Parks" soundtrack CD. Thank you -- Bobby

"ATTA BOY, BOBBY!".....'nuf said!.....But, on the serious side, without the talent and friendship of Bobby Horton, I would be standing "dead in the water" as a performer and singer of folk music. It is to him that I owe a great deal of gratitude for helping me to overcome my limitations and continue to perform. His musical knowledge and talent are wonderful but his friendship is unmatched. Again, Thank You, Bobby!

Thank you Jim for your very kind words and for your friendship.

Thank you Jim for your very kind words and for your friendship.