Naemanson - "The Mountain Whipoorwill" is (or at least used to be) done by John McEuen of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He doesn't really do it as a song. He accompanies himself on banjo while reciting it, but applies no melody to the words.

Yes, John McEuen claims that "Mountain Whipoorwill" was Charlie Daniels' inspiration for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". He says that he played "Mountain Whipoorwill" for Charlie, Charlie loved it, and a few months later "Devil" came out. Don't know if Charlie has ever acknowledged the source.

There are at least a couple of old threads about "Mountain Whipoorwill", but something's got the 'Cat's search utilities sort of haywire and I couldn't find them.

Another recitation with banjo accompaniment is "Automobile Trip Through Alabama" as done by the New Lost City Ramblers. Joe Offer very kindly transcribed the words in THIS THREAD just a couple of days ago. BTW the gasoline brand mentioned in the piece is "Woco Pep". Joe was having a bit of a hard time with the name.

Bruce