Here I Stand, Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song

From the Smithsonian Folkways Album: Here I Stand, Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song

Tracklist

Arthur Slater (spoken) 1:20

 

My Charge to Keep (Ballad of Arthur Slater) Larry Long and Ethel T. Leslie’s 3rd Grade Class of Coffeeville Elementary 02:43

 

 

Jerry Hall (spoken) Jerry Hall 01:10

 

I’ve Got Work To Do (The Ballad of Hall’s Red and White Super Market) Larry Long and Donna Hall’s 4th Grade Class of Wadley High School 03:20

 

Danny Garcia (spoken) Danny Garcia 01:05

 

Guadalajara, Mexico (Ballad of Danny Garcia) Larry Long and Mrs. Willingham and Mrs. Coots’ 5th Grade Class of Collinsville High School 05:28

 

Sally Goodin Sabrina Williams 01:43

 

Mary Stuart (spoken) 01:10

 

Old Camp Hill Larry Long and Mrs. Menniefee’s 4th Grade Class of Edward Bell High School 03:08

 

Walter Frederick Browder (Spoken) (1) Walter Frederick Browder 01:00

 

My Little Town Larry Long and Mrs. Peek’s 5th Grade Class of Gaylesville School and assistance from Mrs. Evelyin Hu 05:13

 

Lily Mae Stewart / The Charming Black Mustache Lily Mae Stewart 01:46

 

Hard Times, Good Times in Coffee Springs Larry Long and Mrs. Tyson’s 5th Grade Class of Coffee Springs School High School 04:52

 

Karen Cato (Spoken) Karen Cato 00:47

 

I Will Sing Alleluia, Oh Lord Centerview Youth Choir from Camp Hill, Alabama 02:11

 

Atha Thacker (Spoken) Atha Thacker 01:07

 

Hey Coal Miner Dana Williams and Lillian Diehl 01:08

 

Wash Day Is Every Day Larry Long and Mrs. Jane Moss Robert’s 6th Grade of Oakman Elementary 02:48

 

Ezra Cunningham (Spoken) Ezra Cunningham 01:11

 

Way Down Yonder in the White Man’s Field Larry Long and Mrs. Farris and Mrs. Beal’s 5th Grade of Beatrice Elementary 05:59

 

Lewis Martin, Jr. (Spoken) Lewis Martin, Jr. 00:33

 

I Know My Redeemer Lives Sacred Harp Singers of Camp Hill, Alabama 03:29

 

Bill Godwin (Spoken) Bill Godwin 00:40

 

Not a Hog Thief or a Liar Larry Long and Mrs. Ralls’ 4th Grade Class of Pleasant Home School 05:38

 

Gladys Milton (spoken) Gladys Milton 01:26

 

Why Not Me, Lord (sung) Larry Long with Mrs. Elmore’s 5th Grade Class of W.S. Harlan School 05:12

 

Walter Frederick Browder (Spoken) 00:20

 

Available on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

When senior members of a community go into schools and talk about their lives and work, and children write songs with Larry Long about what they have learned, they create a remarkable celebration of humanity and hard work. In these 1995 recordings, Alabama elders talk about their lives, and children from eleven rural public schools sing compositions based on the elders’ words.

EN ESPAÑOL

Cuando los miembros mayores de la comunidad van a las escuelas y hablan de su vida y su trabajo, o cuando los niños escriben canciones con Larry Long acerca de lo que ellos han aprendido, crean una notable celebración de la humanidad y trabajo duro.

En estas grabaciones de 1995, los ancianos de Alabama hablan de sus vidas y los niños de once escuelas públicas rurales cantan composiciones basadas en las palabras de los ancianos.

 

CREDIT(S)

Larry Long – Recorder, Producer, Compiler, Mastering Engineer, Field Worker
PACERS Small Schools Cooperative – Partner Organization
Program for Rural Services and Research at the University of Alabama – Partner Organization
Kii Arens – Designer
Andrew Goetz – Photographer (Cover)
Jim Fanning – Photographer (Cover)
Paul Stark – Mastering Engineer
Lea Anne Sonenstein – Mastering Engineer
Review of: Here I Stand, Elders' Wisdom, Children's Song Review

Here I Stand is a deeply moving and culturally rich musical work by acclaimed troubadour and community-builder Larry Long. Known for his ability to weave storytelling, oral history, and grassroots activism into his songwriting, Long’s Here I Stand is a shining example of how music can honor intergenerational wisdom and uplift community voices.

Part of the broader Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song initiative—a national program that brings youth and elders together to celebrate heritage and identity—Here I Stand stands out not just as an album, but as a testimony to the power of shared experience. Each song is a tribute to an elder’s story, interpreted and sung with the participation of children, capturing the essence of lived history through fresh eyes and voices.

Long’s songwriting is heartfelt and honest. His folk roots are evident in the simple but powerful melodies, acoustic instrumentation, and lyrical clarity. The themes range from civil rights to immigration, cultural resilience to personal perseverance—each story personal, yet profoundly universal.

What makes Here I Stand truly special is its collaborative spirit. The songs are often co-written with students, turning classrooms into spaces of active listening and collective creativity. This democratic approach to music-making reinforces the idea that everyone’s story matters and that song can be a vehicle for empathy and understanding.

Musically, the album is unpretentious yet resonant. Long’s voice carries the conviction of someone who believes deeply in the stories he’s telling. The children’s voices bring innocence and vitality to the project, underscoring the urgency and hope embedded in these legacies.

In a world that often forgets its elders, Here I Stand is a reminder to pause, listen, and pass on the torch. It is not just an album; it is a movement—a musical mosaic of memory, identity, and community.

Highly recommended for educators, families, and anyone who believes in the power of story to heal, connect, and inspire.