Cotton Eyed Joe does not have an original artist because it predates the civial war and is a community based song like many forms of black music. Everyone gets together and sing songs. The son of slave owners provided information about the song to the library of Congress stating that the song was often sung by the slaves on his family's plantation and he grew up hearing it as a child before he faught in the civil war. He did not know who originally made the song. This song is not country nor original(country version)as country music has always borrowed and at times stole from blues and given credit, but a blues folk song sung by slaves. Even the history of country music has been manufactured and important information hidden or denied. For information concerning the origins of country music you can also reference this website in association with the Smithsonian IOnstitute: http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/node/49. It was field collected in 1929 but no recording was made of this version. Discussion of this song was provided to the library of congress. You can contact Alan Balfour: abalfour@dial.pipex.com. You can referene this web site for more information www.luckymojo.com/bluescottoneyedjoeunknown.html
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