The "declamations" were probably sung without accompaniment (group singing). Or maybe they were early "poetry slams."
Here's what I hear Uncle Dave Macon singing:
SAIL AWAY LADIES Uncle Dave Macon and His Fruit Jar Drinkers Vo 5155 Banjo and lead vocal- Uncle Dave Macon; Fiddle- Maizi Todd; (Fiddle w/banjo intro)
Ever I get my new house done, (Sail away Ladies, sail away) Give my old one to my son. (Sail away Ladies, sail away.)
*[one line of chorus by fiddle] Chorus: Don't she rock die-dee-o, Don't she rock die-dee-o, Don't she rock die-dee-o.
[instrumental chorus/ verse]
Ever I get my new house done, (Sail away Ladies, sail away) Give my old one to my son. (Sail away Ladies, sail away.)
[one line of chorus by fiddle] Chorus: Don't she rock die-dee-o Don't she rock die-dee-o Don't she rock die-dee-o.
[instrumental chorus/ verse]
Ain't no use to grieve and cry, (Sail away Ladies, sail away) You'll be an angel by and by, (Sail away Ladies, sail away)
[Three lines of chorus by fiddle] Don't she rock die-dee-o.
[instrumental chorus/verse]
Come along boys and go with me (Sail away Ladies, sail away) We'll go back to Tennessee (Sail away Ladies, sail away)
[one line of chorus by fiddle] Chorus: Don't she rock die-dee-o Don't she rock die-dee-o Don't she rock die-dee-o.
[instrumental chorus/verse]
[one line of chorus by fiddle] Chorus: Don't she rock die-dee-o Don't she rock die-dee-o Don't she rock die-dee-o.
[instrumental]
*the unusual thing is Uncle Dave doeesn't sing on the first line of the chorus.