The literal word meanings of these songs are withheld from non-Indians, but, as with all music, the abstract meaning is very definite.

This music is the music of men integrated with nature and their God-of people at home on the earth with God's other creatures. Without imitating nature, it is somehow nature music, and one hears, above all, earth rhythms; and man crying across great distances of time and space to cosmic forces or over the mountain or plain to deer, eagles and other fellow creatures. One is aware of great spaces, and at the same time, a profound intimacy with, and reverence for, the earth under man's feet.

John Collier says in the opening paragraph of his book, "Indians of the Americas:" "They had what the world has lost. They have it now. What the world has lost, the world must have again, lest it die." Perhaps these songs will offer a hint of the lost ingredient, of what Mr. Collier calls the Indians' "reverence and passion."

Pete Concha learned the old Taos Indian songs as a child, along with other Pueblo children his age, as a natural part of his communal training. The songs have been handed down from un-recorded time. Pete developed a special flair as a performer, and his singing has proved to be popular with Indians as well as those outside the Pueblo.

He was born at the Taos Pueblo October 2, 1907. In 1935 he married Isabel Concha, Daughter of Juan Concha, and they have two daughters, JoAnn and Patricia. Pete spent two years in the South Pacific with the Navy during World War II. Pete and Isabel live at the Taos Peublo.