this book and the puff the magic dragon that preceded it, and judy collins over the rainbow with traditionalopies. if i put out a -- a -- put out -- listen to this. >> keep talking. i'm doing background. >> let me show the pictures. >> before you got out of here -- we're going to sing puff the magic dragen. we got to sing a little that. ♪ this is aing on -- >> ♪ ♪ the night before christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse ♪ ♪ stockings were hung by the chimney with care in the hopes that st. nicolas would soon be there ♪ ♪ the children nestle all snug in their beds while visions of sugar -- sugar plums danced in their head ♪ ♪ mom in her kerchief and i in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's nap ♪ ♪ when out -- away to the window i flew in a flash and on and on and on >> you guys are killing me. i love it. plus it has mary's last recording. >> tell me the story about how you guys got here when she was fading. she was -- >> to record this. >> she did not give up. >> until -- until the day before she died in 2009, she was performing with us. i

there's a warm wind blowing the stars around ♪ ♪ and i'd really love to see you tonight ♪ in 1968, judy collins ♪ wildfire ♪ rocket man ♪ burning out his fuse up here alone ♪ ♪ ♪ and i think it's gonna be a long, long time ♪ some artists shared their deeply personal thoughts and feelings in their songs. bread's david gates was always able to connect words and music in a special way. ♪ if a picture paints a thousand words ♪ ♪ then why can't i paint you? ♪ morning has broken ♪ like the first morning ♪ i learned the truth at seventeen ♪ ♪ that love was meant for beauty queens ♪ ♪ the first time ♪ ever i saw your face roberta flack, what a voice. that has to be one of the most timeless songs of the decade. and now, we can go back and enjoy so many classics written by the era's greatest singers and songwriters. artists like james taylor, carole king, john denver, cat stevens... paul simon, elton john, jim croce, and the list goes on. and now they're all together in one amazing collection. this was such a special time in rock music. and now, thanks to these great artists and songs, we can bring back

collins about his latest album, called "going back." all that and more is on our web site, newshour.pbs.org. judy? >> woodruff: and that's the newshour for tonight. on wednesday, we'll look at a first amendment case at the supreme court involving anti-gay protesters at military funerals. i'm judy woodruff. >> lehrer: and i'm jim lehrer. we'll see you online, and again here tomorrow evening. thank you, and good night. major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ptiong sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions captioned by media access group at wgbh access.wgbh.org