There are some Woody songs that I don't know the original tune for, but rather than feeling they might be original, I just assumed I hadn't heard it yet! Occasionally he threw in the new break strain or whatever, but if it didn't come from Tin Pan Alley or the migrant fields of California, then it was an Appalachian tune or one from the Texas plains. I don't believe that he ever had one iota of regret over it either, as he freely admitted being the greatest song thief of all time. It was the story that was important.

Dylan of course has often done the same, but with more finesse. Dylan has always been a poet and wordsmith first. I always found it amusing that when he wrote the song for Woody, the tune was stolen from Woody who had already stolen it!!! Must be some kind of double jeopardy thing there or something.

catspaw