Fred Waring's Words: The sound of people singing well together is the most beautiful sound in the world. And, some of the best singing can result from the informal music-making that takes place when people who enjoy one another's company get together with a good song. And what is a good song? Any song that has stood the test of time. Any song that has lived long enough in the minds and hearts of people to become a pleasantly familiar song. And that's what we have gathered into this songbook: patriotic songs, folk songs, spirituals, hymns, Christmas songs, love songs, and fun songs... From the first song, 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' - which we helped to restore to its deserved place of honor in American singing-to the last, 'Sleep, Sleep, Sleep'- which we have used as a theme since the Pennsylvanians first began-these are the songs that over forty years of singing have taught us are among the most loved by people everywhere.