Goin' from the Cotton Fields

DESCRIPTION: "I'm goin' from the cotton fields, I'm goin' from the cane, I'm goin' from the old log hut That stands in the lane." Hard times force the singer to move north even though Dinah fears the cold. He regrets home and the old master's grave, but must go
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1931 (Fuson-BalladsOfTheKentuckyHighlands), from a manuscript apparently dated before 1895
KEYWORDS: hardtimes home emigration slave travel
FOUND IN: US(Ap,So)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Fuson-BalladsOfTheKentuckyHighlands, pp. 121-122, "Goin' from the Cotton Fields" (1 text)
Arnold-FolkSongsofAlabama, p. 115, "I'm Gwine from the Cotton Fields" (1 text, 1 tune)
ST Fus121 (Partial)
Roud #16311
NOTES [56 words]: This has something of a minstrel feel, given that the singer talks about the "little patch of ground That good old master give me 'Fore the Yankee troops come down," as well as the former slave caring for Master's grave. And yet, the overall feel is quite authentic: Hard times and a hard migration. I've no idea what to make of it. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.2
File: Fus121

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