American Song # 2: Sail Away Ladies

Seeing as how we've been going through a lot of jazz and ragtime, I think it's time to delve into the really old music. This post deals with "Sail Away Ladies", also known as "Sally Anne" and, of course, "Great Big Taters".



The song originated sometime in the 19th century although possibly has origins as far back as the 18th century. It is one of the quintessential American fiddle tunes - like many, it clearly has its origins in Irish or Scottish folk music and was probably brought across by immigrants in the early 19th century; it is most associated with the Appalachian mountains and the string band traditions. Here is a modern home recording of it on dual fiddles I found on YouTube:



The earliest known recording of the song was by Uncle Bunt Stephens in 1926 and he recorded it as a solo fiddle piece. This became famous after being included on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. The tune is somewhat peculiar - there's no real definable melody during the verses, more a heavily rhythmic feel; some scholars have suggested it maybe has some negro influence as well in this sense. The chorus starts a whole octave higher than the verse and gives it an epic sweeping feel. The best recording of the song ever (and one of the best recordings ever) is Uncle Dave Macon and the Fruit Jar Drinkers' 1927 recording. With duals fiddles, banjo and guitar cranked up to maximun volume, with whooping, shrieking, hell-bent-for-leather, this recording is definitive and is one of the wildest recordings out of the 1920's. Uncle Dave Macon was maybe the great American folk singer, but he needs a whole article of his own. For now:



The lyrics to the song are essentially nonsense and few versions of the song have the same lyrics, outside of the bizarre "Don't you rock me, dy-dee-oh!" chorus. Some people interpreted this as "Don't you rock me daddio!", particularly in the folk revival of the 1950's and 60's.

The song was later covered in 1956 by the great Lonnie Donegan as "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O". This version is more skiffly and contains electric guitar and drums and whatnot. The opening verse actually comes from "Old Dan Tucker":



The song is still popular among bluegrass, folk and old-time musicians today. Here's a video of the Dusky Buskers playing across America:



Finally, here's me doing a (mostly) instrumental version of the song on the banjo, clawhammer style. I apologise for the lame sound quality:



There's not a lot of information on "Sail Away Ladies" - there really is no information regarding it origins; it was seemingly plucked out of the ether. Maybe that's what gives the song its mystique - free from the shackles of human association it takes on a more spiritual feel.

Kang moose, CHUDS!