I don't see a thread on this song, and it's a really significant one. There was one post back in the early history of Mudcat, but I think this song needs more research.

Thread #2864   Message #13666
Posted By: Barry
30-Sep-97 - 11:23 PM
Thread Name: Songs on, or about slavery
Subject: Lyr Add: LONG SUMMER DAY^^

Long Summer Day was last collected in the southern prison system, on the work gang, it survived through the obvious common bond(age). Not many of these songs from the slaves have make it to be handed on. Most that have survived are from other traditions or cultures (see Steven Foster), from slavers, preachers or sailors that crossed paths, collided with or happened on by.

Long summer day make a white man crazy, long summer day
Long summer day make a nigger run away, long summer day

Long summer day make a man run away, long summer day
Long summer day make a slave run away, long summer day

Pickin that cotton in the bottom field, long summer day
It's gathering up the cotton in the bottom field, long summer day

Master & the Misses sitting in the parlor, long summer day
Thinking on how to make a slve work harder, long summer day

Run away to see his Mary, long summer day
Run away to see his baby, long summer day.

Bruce, that 1st song (Virginny or Virginna Lags) dates to pre 1775, & it was as slaves they came (maybe not all) since the first in 1691.

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Note from Joe Offer. This is a very early from Mudcat. I'm guessing it's from Barry Finn, but I can't tell for sure because our technology at the time had no ability to determine that.