Gern said: The Freight Hoppers, no slaves to either tradition or sentimentality, sing: "I'm so glad the old hog's dead/ I got more shortening for my bread..."

This line comes from the singing of Hub Mahaffey, singer and guitarist with the Dykes Magic City Trio, a great band from Tenn. who recorded in the 20's.

Another line from them is:

Going up to get a little shortnen', shortnen' Going up to get a little shortnen bread.

You can hear the 78 of this version, featuring John Dykes remarkable fiddling, at www.honkingduck.com (under the 78 link).Just look under D for Dykes and drop to the bottom of the page.

Paul Mitchell