Whistling Rufus

DESCRIPTION: Whistling Rufus goes to parties whatever the weather. After devouring the chicken and wine, he settles down to whistling, producing a sound that makes the spectators think "the angels' harps were a-playing."
AUTHOR: Words: W. Murdock Lind/Music: Kerry Mills
EARLIEST DATE: (tune composed 1899; words are later)
KEYWORDS: Black(s) music
FOUND IN: US(SE,So,SW)
REFERENCES (4 citations):
Randolph 285, "Whistling Rufus" (1 short text, 1 tune)
Randolph/Cohen-OzarkFolksongs-Abridged, pp. 241-243, "Whistling Rufus" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 285)
Burton-TennesseeTraditionalSingers, pp. 137-138, "Whistling Rufus or Rufus Blossom" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, WHSTRFUS*
Roud #5065
RECORDINGS:
McGee Brothers (Sam & Kirk McGee), "Rufus Blossom" (Vocalion 5170, rec. 1927)
SAME TUNE:
My Mother Told Me that She Would Buy Me a Rubber Dolly If I'd Be Good (cf. Spaeth, _A History of Popular Music in America, p. 299)
NOTES [14 words]: For more on composer Kerry Mills, see the notes on "Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis." - RBW
Last updated in version 2.8
File: R285

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