521. Salty Dog (Zeke Morris)

This song was first performed by the Morris Brothers. It was written by Zeke in 1935, and arranged by him and his brother, Wiley. "Salty Dog" seems to have a number of meanings. Wiley's interpretation probably makes the most sense - "I have a different definition of a salty dog than Zeke has. Back when we were kids down in Old Fort we would see a girl we liked and say 'I'd like to be her salty dog.' There also used to be a drink you could get up in Michigan. All you had to do was say 'Let me have a Salty Dog,' and they'd pour you one."

Zeke said of the origins of the song, "I got the idea when we went to a little old honky tonk just outside of Canton which is in North Carolina. We went to play at a school out beyond Waynesville somewhere and we stopped at this place. They sold beer and had slot machines. At that time they were legal in North Carolina. We got in there after the show and got to drinking that beer and playing the slot machines with nickels, dimes and quarters. I think we hit three or four jackpots. Boy, here it would come! You know you had a pile of money when you had two handfuls of change. The name of that place was the 'Salty Dog,' and that's where I got the idea for the song. There's actually more verses to it than me and Wiley sing, a lot more verses."

"Salty Dog" was the most popular number the Morris Brothers ever recorded. According to Wiley, "It's considered a standard. Everybody uses it in the bluegrass field, just about. We're making more money off it now on copyright royalties than we ever did on our record, with other people using it. I reckon that song is known all over the world. When I get my statement every six months, it's being played in every nation under the sun. That song is even popular in Japan! 'Salty Dog' aint one that's gone up to high heaven and then fell completely down. It's just one that's considered a standard. It's our biggest song 'cause it's a good five string banjo number played bluegrass style."

It has also been recorded by Roger McGuinn, Flatt and Scruggs, Jelly Roll Morton, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Willie McTell, Reverend Gary Davis, and Johnny Cash.

For lyrics and chords of my songs, please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• america
• zeke
• wiley
• flatt
• scruggs
• johnny
• cash
• willie
• mctell

[bigchristopher6]

Mr. Crooke, I would like to thank you for posting that history of the song. My name is Chris Morris and Zeke was my grandfather. It makes me feel good to know that there are people out there that truely appreciate he and Wiley's contributions to music. I always loved my pappow for the great family man he was. Nice to see him recognized as a great musician as well. Thank you from myself and my entire family.

[raymondcrooke]

@bigchristopher6 You are most welcome. It's always good to hear from relatives of the writers and performers of the songs I sing. You should certainly be proud of your grandfather for his contribution to traditional American music.

[blinddrunkal]

Great, Raymond - all those verses - I'll have to write them down! The story of the song is fascinating too. Well done; Alan.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Alan, and thank you for letting me link it to your version.

[SirCoughsalot]

This is a good song. It'll get your hands a-clappin' and your toes a-tappin' and maybe even your nose a-wigglin', I don't know. :D Good job. I saw this on the Andy Griffith show once! I have a suggestion for a song, if you don't mind. Molly and Tenbrooks (It was recorded by the Osborne Brothers, don't know if you know it or not.)

[raymondcrooke]

I didn't know it, but I've found it on YouTube. I may try it some day.

[lewdite]

Thanks... one of my favorites.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Phyllis.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Max. I'm not actually retiring yet. One more year of work in Hong Kong first. We are home in Australia visiting our two grandsons - in Canberra and Melbourne.

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you