Hi, Greg - Can't say I know anything about the delicacy, and I didn't know anything about the song. There is a copy of the lyrics in the Digital Tradition, but Mudcat is quirky today and I can't access the DT to link to it. I think the song warrants some discussion - and maybe we'll find out about the pie itself in the process.
According to the Traditional Ballad Index, there at two versions of it and one tune in Randolph's Ozark Folksongs. Here's the Ballad Index listing:Methodist Pie DESCRIPTION: The singer attends a camp meeting and reports on the goings-on. (S)he enjoys food and music greatly. (S)he maintains, "Oh, little children, I believe (x3); I'm a Methodist till I die...."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1928 (recording, Bradley Kincaid)
KEYWORDS: music religious
FOUND IN: US(So)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Randolph 291, "Methodist Pie" (2 texts, 1 tune)
Randolph/Cohen, pp. 248-250, "Methodist Pie" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 291A)
DT, METHPIE
Roud #7823
RECORDINGS:
Ashley's Melody Men, "Methodist Pie" (Victor 23661, 1932)
Gene Autry, "Methodist Pie" (Oriole 8103, c. 1932)
Bradley Kincaid, "Methodist Pie" (Gennett 6417/Supertone 9210/Silvertone 8220, 1928); (Brunswick 420, c. 1930)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Hard Trials" (floating verses)
File: R291
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Go to the Ballad Index Instructions The Ballad Index Copyright 2004 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
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