Uncle Joe Cut Off His Toe (Rock the Cradle Joe)

DESCRIPTION: "Uncle Joe cut off his toe And hung it up to dry; And all the girls began to laugh And Joe began to cry." "Rock the cradle, rock the cradle, Rock the cradle, Joe...." Remaining verses, if any, appear to float; those quoted are characteristic
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1952 (Brown)
KEYWORDS: nonballad injury floatingverses playparty
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Brown/Belden/Hudson-FrankCBrownCollectionNCFolklore3 97, "Uncle Joe Cut Off His Toe" (3 texts plus mention of 2 more, but "B" is probably "Shady Grove"; "A" is an incredible mix with verses typical of "Raccoon," "If I Had a Scolding Wife," a "Liza Jane" song, a mule song, and "Shady Grove")
Scarborough-OnTheTrailOfNegroFolkSongs, pp. 153-154, "Cradle Song" (1 text)
Roud #741
File: Br3097

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography