Benton County, Arkansas

DESCRIPTION: The singer describes a life of surprises and mishaps since leaving (Benton County) at (18). The tavern offers a fine meal but a flea-infested bed. The listener is given advice on how to milk an old ewe. Etc. Uses the "Derry Down" tune
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1927
KEYWORDS: travel humorous bug food
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Randolph 345, "Benton County, Arkansas" (4 texts, 1 tune)
Randolph/Cohen-OzarkFolksongs-Abridged, pp. 282-283, "Benton County, Arkansas" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 34A)
Roud #7624
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Derry Down" (tune) and references there
NOTES [45 words]: The various versions of this piece in Randolph are extensive, but hardly add up to a coherent story; "C" in particular looks like it might float. Cohen speculates that the first verse of the "A" text is a graft onto the song. I hope someone can find a fuller version. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.4
File: R345

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