Listening List Before Class (November 25, 2025)

 Here are some songs to listen to before class!

HILLBILLIES AND BEYOND!

EARLY HILLBILLY MUSIC

WILDWOOD FLOWER
based on "I'll Twine 'Mid the Ringlets" by John Philbrick Webster, Maud Irving (1860)
performed by the Carter Family (1928)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0DMhqlH20k

performed by the Soulmates (2019?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwq8UxDoJ3w

CAN THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN
based on "Will the Circle be Unbroken" by Ada R Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel (1907)
performed by the Carter Family (1935)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjHjm5sRqSA

MINING SONGS

DARK AS A DUNGEON
by Merle Travis (1946)
performed by Merle Travis (1951)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BvbJLTg_FQ

16 TONS
by Merle Travis (1946)
performed by Tennesseee Ernie Ford (1955)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9j91-18Kb4

BLUEGRASS

ROCKY TOP
by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant (1967)
performed by the Osborne Brothers (1967)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al2KhNTB1Po

performed by Backwoods Bluegrass Band (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvFrDivPk4

FOX ON THE RUN
by Tony Hazzard (1968)
performed by the Country Gentlemen (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZMVUdHH49E

performed by the Backwoods Bluegrass Band (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59fPdZj6HzM


SOUTHERN NOT-QUITE HILLBILLIES

HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
by Jimmie Rodgers(?) and Elsie McWilliams(?) (1928)
performed by Jimmie Rodgers
content warning: yodeling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3L2qf3q-ok

RAGGED BUT RIGHT
by anonymous
performed by Riley Puckett (1934)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuplqkI4WYU

Enjoy!