Sisters In Song; Women Hymn Writers. Leslie Clay

for special needs children. In the late 1970s, the Belgian government claimed she owed back taxes. Deckers had given her earnings away and she had no receipts to prove the donations. Citing financial difficulties in a note, she and her companion of ten years committed suicide. That same day, unknown to her, the Belgian association that collects royalties awarded her about $300,000, more than enough to pay her debt.

      “Dominique” is a lively song about the personal theological battle waged by a Spanish monk against the thirteenth century Albigensian heresy. The Albigensians, also known as Cathars, flourished in Europe from the late 1100s to about 1325. They opposed many of the Catholic Church’s positions, with some groups more heretical than others.

      Margaret Pleasant Douroux

      1941-

      “Give Me a Clean Heart”

      Margaret, daughter of a Baptist pastor, grew up in Los Angeles, then got her bachelor’s degree at California State University and later got two master’s degrees, teaching credentials, and finally a Ph.D. at the University of Beverly Hills. With her teaching credentials, she taught and served as a guidance counselor and psychologist for thirteen years with the Los Angeles schools. Her religious education began when she performed as an accompanist in the children’s choir at her father’s church. Later, she became the pianist for the Sunday School Baptist Training Union and the Young People’s Choir. The family often hosted many gospel singers in the home, including Mahalia Jackson. This immersion in gospel no doubt influenced Margaret’s musical direction. She has composed hundreds of gospel music pieces and many of her songs are aired on gospel radio and television stations. She founded the Reverend Edward A. Pleasant Publishing Com-pany, as well as the Heritage Music Foundation. As she stated, “The mission of the Heritage Music Foundation is to nurture and preserve the legacy of gospel music and its goal is to build a ‘Gospel House’ in which to perform gospel music, create a hall of fame, record and teach.”

      “Give Me a Clean Heart” expresses the dichotomy of humility and longing for success. It reflects the struggle of African-Americans for success in the economy and society while mirroring the request in Psalm 51:10 for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit.