The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #161948 Message #3852276
Posted By: Joe Offer
24-Apr-17 - 10:53 PM
Thread Name: Little Log Cabin
Subject: ADD: Little Log Cabin in the Lane
I came across "Little Old Cabin in the Lane" on a Smithsonian/Folkways album titled "CLARENCE ASHLEY and TEX ISLEY," Here are the liner notes: http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/folkways/FW02350.pdf
And the lyrics:
THE LITTLE OLD LOG CABIN IN THE LANE An old popular song written by Will Hays in 1871, LOG CABIN was recorded in 1923 by Fiddlin' John Carson and became the record that began the country music recording business. It was widely recorded and was given some dreadful readings by tenors in the days of 78's and cylinders, as well as heartfelt performances by country people like Tom Ashley, who, though they had no experience with "old Mahssy and Mist'us," still felt a strong sense of loss of and nostalgia for the older forms of southern life.
Cf:
Fiddlin' John Carson THE LITTLE OLD LOG CABIN IN THE LANE OKeh 4890, 1923
Riley Puckett LITTLE LOG CABIN IN THE LANE Columbia 15171, 1927 Fiddlin' Powers and Family THE LITTLE OLD LOG CABIN IN THE LANE Victor 19448, 1925
Uncle Dave Macon and Sid Harkreader LITTLE OLD LOG CABIN IN THE LANE Vocalion 14864
Fiddlin' John Carson and Moonshine Kate I'M OLD AND FEEBLE Montgomery Ward 4850
Ernest Stoneman & His Dixie Mountaineers THE LITTLE OLD LOG CABIN IN THE LANE Victor 20235
Oh, I'm getting old and feeble, I can no longer work My rusty bladed hoe I've laid to rest Old Mahssy and old Mist'us they are sleeping side by side While their spirits am a-wandering with the blessed
(Chorus) Oh, the chimney's falling down, the roof is tumbling in The leak lets in the sunshine and the rain The only friend I've got now is this good old dog of mine In that little old log cabin in the lane
Oh, it was such happy times not many years ago My friends and loved ones gathered 'round the door They would sing and dance at night while they played the old banjo But alas they cannot play it any more (Chorus)
The hinges they have rusted, the door is falling down The roof lets in the sunshine and the rain The only friend I've got now is this good old dog of mine In that little old log cabin in the lane
The paths they have growed up that led us around the hill The fence have all gone to decay The streams they have dried up where we used to go to mill Everything has changed its course another way (Chorus)
I ain't got long to stay here, what little time I've got I try to rest contented while I stay Until the day death calls me to find a better home Than this little old log cabin in the lane (Chorus)