269. Darling Corey (Traditional American)

Also known as "Darling Cora", "Little Lulie" and "The Gambling Man", this well-known folk song about a banjo-picking, moonshine-making mountain woman was first recorded in 1927 by Clarence Gill (under the name "Little Corey"). A version was collected by Cecil Sharp as early as 1917, but it probably dates from the late ninetenth century.

Buell Kazee and B. F. Shelton both recorded it later the same year. Other early recordings were by Jack Wallin, Roscoe Holcomb, The Monroe Brothers (1936), and Pete Seeger. Burl Ives included it on his debut album in 1941, at a much slower pace than it is usually done. I first heard it done as a very lively performance by The Weavers.

It probably dates from the late 19th century and is clearly related to the songs "Country Blues / Hustling Gamblers", "East Virginia Blues" and "Little Maggie," which were generally sung either as white blues ballads or bluegrass tunes. (c.f. my video of "Little Maggie".)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• bluegrass
• buell
• kazee
• shelton
• roscoe
• holcomb
• monroe
• brothers
• pete
• seeger
• burl
• ives
• little
• maggie