Midnight Special

This song may have been written by "Lead Belly," an African American artist born in the late 1800's who wrote and performed many classic tunes like "Irene, Goodnight" and "In the Pines." His real name was Huddie Ledbetter, and he was a prisoner in Angola Prison, one of the most cruel prisons in American History but was pardoned by the governor, thanks in part to his musical talents. Supposedly, the chorus refers to to a practice used at the prison to reduce over crowding. At midnight, a train passed by with a spotlight that swung or rotated around and shone through the prison windows. If the light shone on a particular inmate's cell, he would be released. At least, that's one explanation that we've heard for the song's meaning.

Here's a link with more info about Lead Belly:

http://www.answers.com/topic/leadbelly

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• paul wilson
• jerry pap tipper
• bling pig and the acorn
• bluegrass
• blues
• folk
• tradtitional
• prison
• Leadbelly
• Ledbedder
• Angola
• Delmore
• Brothers

[ysgeye]

Very good! I enjoy your pickin' and a grinnin' and a singin'

[BlindPigAndTheAcorn]

Thank you so much!!

[rickshunter1]

You are a very talented family keep the tradition of old music alive through the young ones so they can carry on, the family playing together.

[BlindPigAndTheAcorn]

Thank you-for the encouragement. Hard to rangle in all the young ones sometimes : )

[pebbles606]

Great job !! One of my favorite songs... I know CCR did this song but I didn't know it originated like you explained...

[BlindPigAndTheAcorn]

So glad you liked it!

[FolkAndMore]

Now that's music! Enjoyed listening to your rendition of this song very much. 5*s!

[lillymoons]

5*****Lilly

[BlindPigAndTheAcorn]

Thank you!

[COWELLGIRL]

GREAT!!!!!! What fun.