The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com.  This is the first of a two part interview. In this part, Osar Hitt and Mrs. Mamie Hitt sing gospel songs with their son, John Hitt, and his daughter, Donna. Together, they perform 17 songs. The majority of the songs come from the Christian Harmony Book, such as Pleading Savior, Thorny Desert, Amazing Grace, and The Lone Pilgrim. Oscar Hitt performs a song he wrote about the Apostle Paul losing his sight, called Road to Damascus. The family tries to recall songs they do not have the lyrics for, including The Lost Child and Barbara Allen.  Oscar F. Hitt (1904-1992) was born in Georgia to Mamie Elnora Hitt (1928-2003) and John L. Hitt (1864-1946). He married Francis Mae Cain (1907-1987), and they had three children: Mamie Elnora Hitt (1928-2003), Samuel Hitt (1932-1932), and John Henry Hitt (1937-1999).  Song book  Tane one - side one. (Miscellaneous taning) Lucy: Is this your songbook? Mrs. Hitt: Um hum Lucy: What's shape-note singing? He had one like this in class; his was really, really old. Nrs. H: One of these is my father's and the othern was his brother's. My father give me hissen before he died. (Looking at the two books) I don't know Whether this'un his brother's and that'n over thar is my daddy's. Mr. Hitt: You might better let us sorta tune up before you even start this. All right, we'll try this un. (Song - Pleading Savior, p. 256 Christian Harmony Book) - Mr. H: Now I'll sing that four note version. Mrs. H: They're nicking up the tapping of your foot. Carl: The name of that now is Mr. & Mrs. H; "Pleadir(g) Savior" Carl: "pleading Savior"? Mr. & Mrs. H: "Pleading Savior". Lucy: "pleading Savior". Mr. H: Just turn over one leaf and we'll sing Thorny Desert. All right. (Song - Thorny Desert, p. 258) ... 5 Mrs. H: That's '!'Thor):lyDesert". Lucy: After ye'll are through, could we copy those words down? Mrs. H: Yeh, sure, yeh. Carl to boy: Did you know your Grandpa and Grandmother could sing like that? Mrs. John Hitt: (daughter-in-law) - He's heard it enough. Mr. H: Do you want to sing "Thorny Desert", I mean,t"The Lone Pilgrim; it's about 341, I think. Mrs. H: It don't matter to me. We need to sing one or two of the minor music. You going to do "Lonely Pilgrim"? Mr. H: Um hum, now that will a high part of the  (Song -"The Lone.PPi1grim~ p. 34i) fVIn/S" /  Mrs. H: "Cough" Lucy: What was the name of that one? Mr. & Mrs. H: "The Lone Pilgrim" Lucy: "The Lone Pilgrim" Mrs. H: 555 Mr. H: The.t's minor music now. It's different from the major. Would be A in minor major music I mean it'd be C but~ it's A in minor. (Started song) Mrs. H: We aint got it. (Started over _tiNe,,, Brittany': p , 555) Mr. H: Now there's a sermon in this last verse. (Continue song) 6 Mr. H: Wanna tty "Amazing Grace" now? It's 'l'New Brittany" in here. Don't know just when  Mrs. H: Gotta wet my throat. Mr. H: Turn off the recorder. Mrs. H: MW'l::e they'd like to hear-rsometihf.ng else? Carl: We're enjoying this right now. Mrs. H: Do this first. Mr. H: She sings that old time tribJe on that. I don't trible. ,~- think she can sing the trible notes but she sings ..,--.. .------ N'J"S. H: I don' t..-------- (Mr. Hitt starts the notes) Mrs. H: I'll just wait and sing the words. (Song - ''Amazing Grac~') Lucy: That was really, really good. What was the lest song you sang after "Amazing Grace"? (Discussion of last verse of "Amazing Grace". It was not a new song - only a different tune and verse~) Mrs. H: You never had heard it with that? Mr. H: Dad Spears. They play them records on radio lots by ole Dad Spears singin'  A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access.  Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions.  As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.