The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2777   Message #745523
Posted By: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
09-Jul-02 - 10:09 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Goodbye Liza Jane
Subject: RE: Goodbye Liza Jane
In American Memory, link in a posting above, there is a note under the fiddle tune "Greasy String" about "Liza Jane" and all of her relatives that is worth repeating. The author, at the Library of Congress, says: "'Greasy String' is known by that title in versions scattered across southwestern Virginia and West Virginia but under other titles the tune has turned up ... from Virginia to Texas and Missouri." Several sources are cited, with these alternate titles: Seneca Square Dance, Old Raccoon, Running From The Federals, Hell among the Yearlin's, Racoon's Tail, Coon Dog, Heel Flies, Rock Along John to Kansas, Get Away From the Federals, or Fall of Paris, Shoot the Turkey Buzzard, Dinah and LIZA JANE. "It is but a small step to a yet wider circle of related tunes such as the 'Liza Jane' of Southern Piedmont, minstrel stage and jazz band circulation, or another tune....called'Dinah.' In short, the tune is cut of a cloth so common in the Upper South, and in musical domains touched by the influence of the Upper South, that it could be described as a paradigmatic Southern tune, appearing in so many related versions, allied forms and modified guises that it almost defies genetic tracing."

In his note on LIZA JANE, Vance Randolph (pp. 183-185, v. 3) says " This song has some lines in common with the "Old Joe Clark" play-party song ... and is related to the "Goodbye LIza Jane" ...."He gives three versions, including "Goodbye Susan Jane" (posted by rich r in thread 18221): Susan Jane .

The Traditional Ballad Index, in its notes on LIZA JANE, cross-references to "Molly and Tenbrooks," "Run, Mollie, Run," "Push Boat," and to floating lyrics in "Cindy." Alternate titles given are "Goodbye Liza Jane," Saro Jane," and "Little Saro Jane."
In notes on "Black Them Boots (Goin' Down to Cairo)" cross-reference is made to "Goodbye Liza Jane" and other Liza Jane songs. This one in this thread.

A case for two sub-groups, "Liza Jane" and Goodbye Liza Jane" could be made, but verses are so intermixed that it is difficult to do so.

In various threads, there are other related songs. Thread 25438: Charlotte "Charleston (Charlotte) is Burning," a version by Randy Sparks and the New Christie Minstrels, allied to Goodbye Liza Jane, also this thread.
"Shiloh" is mentioned in thread 892: Shiloh
"Pig in a Pen," thread 6059: Pig Pen
"Eliza Jane- Oh Miss Liza, 446: Eliza
"Oh Eliza, Little Liza Jane": thread 152: Eliza and this thread.
"Susan Jane" thread 18221: Susan Jane

Also see the thread on Limber Jim. Limber

Any More??