Louisana governor Jimmy Davis paid people a modest amount of money, then took writing credit on most of his songs. Woodie Guthrie never wrote a melody in his life and the Carter Family relentlessly rewrote older songs and changed melodies to get their material.

Still, "Shackles and Chains", "Little Annie" and "Pastures of Plenty" are all great songs despite their semi-legitimate births. "Cold, Cold Heart" is a classic too.