I learned of Sam Hinton folk songs for children through Dr. Fitzhugh Dodson's book "How to Discipline With Love" and when a friend of mine visited the U.S.A. in 1984, I asked him to buy "Whoever Shall Have Some Peanuts" and "I'll Sing You A Story".
The folk songs within these albums became firm favorites of our whole family. We laughed at the humorous lyrics and sang along with Sam no matter if some of us were out of tune. They were so much fun and we sang and clapped the Sam Hinton songs on our many road trips throughout South Africa and Zimbabwe.
When we arrived in Miami in November 1994 after an 18 hour flight from South Africa we had to drive to Orlando; another 4 hours on top of that long flight and it was Sam that kept my husband awake on the road and my children occupied and my overtired nerves calmed.
We exchanged our South Africa road trips for American road trips and continued to sing Sam Hinton songs throughout the States. From Orlando to Niagara Falls and back, songs like "Old Blue", "Little Old Woman All Skin and Bones, "Old Boastun Was Dead", "Michael Finnegan", "Ain't We Crazy", "Hambone" and "Old Dan Tucker" and the many many other beloved songs from these albums, that we sung with glee and fervor.
My children are grown now but recently I wrote a story about our trip up north to find snow called "By Golly! We Found Snow!" in which I mentioned our singing those Sam Hinton songs all along the I-75 corridor. It brought back many happy memories. These folksongs are ageless, priceless gems and should be passed on from generation to generation in perpetuity
I would like to thank Sam, whom I understand is now 92 years old for bringing so much songful joy to our lives.
Kindest regards to you Sam!
[Pamela McMonagle]
Sam Hinton passed away on September 10th, 2009. By all accounts he lived a full and rich life. I am sad that I never got to meet him but there is a wonderful Youtube video of his playing the harmonica that is worth listening to. Rest In Peace Sam.