“Rock Island Line” is an American folk song. Ostensibly about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, it appeared as a folk song as early as 1929. The first recordedContinue readingRock Island Line
Funny Way of Laughin
Funny Way of Laughin’” is a song written by Hank Cochran and performed by Burl Ives. It reached #3 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, #9 on the U.S. countryContinue readingFunny Way of Laughin
“Wynken, Blynken, and Nod
“Wynken, Blynken, and Nod”Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” is a popular poem for children written by American writer and poet Eugene Field and published on March 9, 1889. The original titleContinue reading“Wynken, Blynken, and Nod
Dollar Down and a Dollar a Week
“Dollar Down and a Dollar a Week” I suspect no one knows who was the first person to get in debt trouble — probably Oog the caveman who promised hisContinue readingDollar Down and a Dollar a Week
Autumn Leaves
Les Feuilles Mortes… The sight of a colourful autumn scene in a forest reminds us of a popular French song written in the aftermath of WW2. “Les Feuilles Mortes” (AutumnContinue readingAutumn Leaves
When We all Get to Heaven
“When We All Get to Heaven” is a popular Christian hymn. The lyrics were written in 1898 by Eliza Hewitt and the melody by Mrs. J. G. (Emily) Wilson. TheContinue readingWhen We all Get to Heaven
On Top of Old Smoky
“On Top of Old Smoky” (often spelled “Smokey”) is a traditional folk song of the United States. As recorded by The Weavers, the song reached the pop music charts inContinue readingOn Top of Old Smoky
Frog Went a-Courtin
“Frog Went a-Courtin’” alternative titlesis an English-language folk song. Its first known appearance is in Wedderburn’s Complaynt of Scotland (1549) under the name “The Frog cam to the Myl dur”,Continue readingFrog Went a-Courtin
Skip to My (The) Lou
“Skip to My (The) Lou” is a popular American partner-stealing dance from the 1840s. Poet and Abraham Lincoln biographer Carl Sandburg writes that “Skip-to-my-Lou” was a popular party game inContinue readingSkip to My (The) Lou
This Old Man
“This Old Man” is an English language children’s song, counting exercise and nursery rhyme . The origins of this song are obscure. The earliest extant record is a version notedContinue readingThis Old Man