"Rock of Ages" genre: Folk
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	A perfect song, though not the singer. Check out the new guitar gizmo.
	Credits: Slick and Roger Linn
	Story Behind the Song Rock of Ages has been one of my obsessions for many years. A frustrated attempt at recording it resulted in “Sock of Ages,” which you can hear elsewhere on this page. I started singing “Rock” maybe four years ago. Sometimes for weeks, it has been all that I have sang. But that is typical. I usually work on one song at a time. In singing, my voice has the basic flaw of sounding bad. I have no tone or distinction, so can only use it as a sort of sing-song tool to try and bring some sense to my lyrics. I can hit a few notes, I believe. It’s just that they usually sound bad. What I am reduced to doing by this is attempting to sing-talk a certain poetry. It is a kind of writing I have enjoyed very much, lately. But “Rock of Ages” requires pure singing. I can’t do that, and yet I was obsessed, as I said, with the song. I’ve probably laid down 50 versions of it, and this is among the best I can do so far. I believe that if I could cut and paste the best parts of all 50 versions into one I’d have an almost perfect “Rock.” But I have to face it. If I tried to record “Rock” 1,000 times, I’d get one thousand duds, each containing a few nice notes. Anyway, this one should give anyone who cares to listen at least an idea of what I am “trying” to do. Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee. Let the water and the blood. From his wounded side which flowed. Be of sin the double cure. Lord make me whole and make me pure. No wonder I’m obsessed. It’s the perfect song. Should my heart no longer know Should my tears no longer flow These for sin must atone. Thou must save and thou alone In my hand no price I bring Simply to thy cross I cling

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