193. Stewball (Traditional American)

The song, Stewball, originated in either England or Ireland, where it began as Skewball, meaning a horse with white patches on a coat that is not black. The horse in question won a race in Kildare in the eighteenth century.

The version we perform here is very much an American version of the song. It was sung by slaves in the Southern states, and the location varies between California, Texas and Kentucky. It uses an African-American-style call and response technique, as opposed to the ballad style of the English version.

It has been recorded by Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston. A recording by Joan Baez, which was my introduction to the song, is closer to the English version.

Request by videoblast.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• african
• american
• slavery
• race
• horse
• gambling
• leadbelly
• guthrie
• cisco
• houston
• baez
• brunei
• kb
• request
• videoblast

[acrookst]

Cool......I love this version Stewball.........

[raymondcrooke]

@acrookst Thanks for watching.

[stewballmax3]

Salutations

Raymond...

Having taken a gander at the related videos to "There's A Hole In The Bucket" (which I've just visited),I simply HAD to make a stop here for this DYNAMIC and very enthusiastic rendition offered here.

With Gratitude,

Max

[raymondcrooke]

@stewballmax3 It was a lot of fun doing this one.

[misterstewball]

@stewballmax3

I was just examining my rather comprehensive You Tube "Stewball" playlist (which contains both of your sterling quality postings)....just to see if this particular offering was working properly or not. So it is...must be that Stewball magic!

Pax,

Max

[raymondcrooke]

@Ratelzwatel  Yes.

[Ratelzwatel]

@raymondcrooke Nice. In the part "well, bet on the races" you hold on a E, but I see one finger moving. Are you quickly switching from E-major (022100) to E-minor (022000) and back?

[madeyes4u]

Leadbelly's version has feeling in it.

[uverdadeiro]

Thanks a lot...the only place on the net that has the chords to this verison

[raymondcrooke]

Lyrics and chords of my songs are on my website: raymondcrookeDOTcom

You'll find this one under "American Songs".