This essay discusses singing as a method of learning cultural values and the types of songs sung in a midwestern one-room country school in the 1930s. Singing and memorized poetry were major mediums for education in values. School children learned many songs with themes of patriotism and citizenship, such as "The Star Spangled Banner,""America the Beautiful," and "America." Militant, militaristic songs such as "Battle Hymn of the Republic,""Columbia, Gem of the Ocean," and "Marching Through Georgia" brought images of war to the students. Some negative cultural values were taught through songs such as "My Old Kentucky Home,""Solomon Levi," and "La Cucaracha." Other songs such as "Annie Laurie,""Comin' Through the Rye," and "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" were also sung. The daily routine of the opening singing sessions instilled many values in the school children of that era. Both students and teacher sang without a conscious awareness of indoctrination as the songs reflected the American history that they knew. (ALL)