Prominent black minstrel songwriter and banjo player James A. Bland, of Sprague’s Georgia Minstrels, wrote “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers” in 1879. It was a mockery of “Golden Slippers,” a spiritual sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Bland’s parody surpassed the Fisk song in popularity and is now known only as “Golden Slippers.” The melody later passed from the minstrel stage into folk song and fiddle tune traditions. It is also the unofficial theme song of the Mummers Parade held each New Year’s Day in Philadelphia.
Songs with Banjo from Harold Hagler
