The influence of the WPA on the music of the 1930's. The heroic sounds heard in song, movies, and theater. He provides Bing Crosby's version of Yip Harburg's "Brother Can You Spare a Dime". As well as the Almanac Singers performing "Roll the Union On". Both Moll's Song and the final scene of Blitzstein's, "The Cradle Will Rock" are performed. Terkel provides a host of other songs which highlight the music of the 1930's. Extensive discussion on "The Cradle Will Rock" with its producer John Houseman.

Studs Terkel presents The Cradle Will Rock, a 1937 musical play. Includes interview with Marc Blitzstein and Hiram Sherman talking about the challenges of presenting for the first time.

Martin Duberman, historian and biographer, discusses his latest work which focuses on the singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson. Robeson was known for his performance in Showboat and Emperor Jones.

Otto Friedrich discusses his "Time" magazine piece, his writing, and American history. Songs "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Free America" by Joseph Warren, a German song, an 18th century Boston Tea Party song, and an 18th-century British soldier song have been removed for copyright restrictions.