The following describes antebellum corn-shucking song. We see the pattern of complaining about the master (cf. Abrahams) and a "Johnny...Hilo" chorus in the first example. My curiosity here, though, is piqued by the "old Robin Ranger" in the second song. Old Reuben Ranzo?

“Maryland in the Olden Time.” Democratic Advocate [Maryland], 24 November, 1877: 1.

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While they husked corn the negroes would sing, the whiskey bottle, or rum or apple jack circulating round and round among the huskers the while. The pile was divided by a rail or pole; captains were chosen and a match was made as to which party whould finish its end of the pile first. The victors would set their captain on their shoulders and march round the barn yard in triumph, singing as they went. Challenges often were exchanged beyween them, and the husking sometimes wound up in a free fight. But, if everything went harmoniously and pleasantly, the husking ended with a grand banquet of roast turkey, roast pig, pot-pie, ducks, chickens, ham, coffee, bread and butter, and, if convenient to the rivers, fish and oysters. While one table was feasting, those waiting their turnwould be beating juna and dancing on the potato-hole in the kitchen which was usually covered over with stout boards forming part of the floor. The banjo was a favorite instrument on such occasions, the dancers keeping time with their feet. The practical jest and the loud laugh filled up the time between the dances, and men and women vied with each other as to which should excel. The whites were frequently spectators, at a respectful distance, of their extravagant mirth and merrymaking.

I have said that the corn-songs very frequently contained taunting or bitter allusions to enemies or those whom the singers disliked. A specimen of this kind recurs to my memory. A farmer in the neighborhood had the reputation of being a hard task-master and cruel to his slaves. One of their songs lampooned him for it in this wise:

Harry Copper killed a nigger,
        Johnny boy, hellow!
Skinned him for his hide and taller,
        Johnny boy, hellow.
Oh! you Harry Copper!
        Johnny boy, hellow.
Oh! you Harry Copper!
        Johnny boy, hellow.

        In singing this song one person would sing the first line, and then all would join in the chorus of “Johnny boy, hellow.” Sometimes the “unlettered muse” would attempt something of a higher order of composition than the simplicity of the foregoing song. The following specimen was sung as a kind of recitative or chant, by one person, the company all joining in the refrain of “Oh ho-o-o-o-o” at the end:

Old Robin Ranger
Stole Loney’s horses
Carried ‘em down to the drawbridge
To get ‘em shod and plated
Going out to war, man!
        Oh ho-o-o-o-o!
Going out to war, man!
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