Old Yellow's Dead

DESCRIPTION: "Allen says, 'Ma, bring here a pry, I think Old Yellow's a-going to die.' Louis says, 'What'll I eat with bread, For they tell me that Old Yellow is dead.'" The crew sets out to skin the animal; Allen blisters his hands tanning it; they haul the hide away
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1931 (Fuson-BalladsOfTheKentuckyHighlands)
KEYWORDS: animal death
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Fuson-BalladsOfTheKentuckyHighlands, pp. 102-103, "Old Yellow's Dead" (1 text)
Parrish-SlaveSongsOfTheGeorgiaSeaIslands 24, pp. 126-127, "I Jing-a-ling" (1 text, 1 tune)
ST Fus102 (Partial)
Roud #4285
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Jawbone Song" (chorus form)
NOTES [54 words]: I have a strange feeling that this is somehow related to a historical event -- perhaps a political piece. But the references are too local for me even to hazard a guess as to what. It's one of those pieces that makes nonsense out of context.
If it is a political piece, it was probably built around "The Jawbone Song." - RBW
Last updated in version 4.1
File: Fus102

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