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Origins: Old Dan Tucker
DigiTrad:
OLD DAN TUCKER
Related threads:
Lyr Req: Old Dan Tucker (from Grandpa Jones) (4)
Old Dan Tucker (7) (closed)
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Subject: RE: Origins: Old Dan Tucker From: Bill D Date: 25 Apr 23 - 10:12 AM For historical interest... my father didn't sing, but used to recite the poem. He had one verse from his childhood I've never heard anywhere else... and of course, would not be appropriate. I suspect it was some local parody.. As a kid, I never thought of it as racist, just funny. " Old Dan Tucker was a fine old booster, He used to ride a bob-tailed rooster. Rode him up a hickory steeple, And there he found some colored people. Some were black... and some were blacker. Some so black, they chewed tobaccer." |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Old Dan Tucker From: Lighter Date: 05 Nov 21 - 07:02 PM Attakapas Register (Franklin, La.) (Sept. 5, 1861), p.3: "‘GRAND ARMY’ MARCH.—Lincoln’s army marched to Manassas to the tune of ‘I wished I was in Dixie;’ as soon as they got there…they left to the tune of ‘Git out the way, Old Dan Tucker.’" |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Marilyn Date: 02 Jun 20 - 06:06 PM My grandpa used to sing this to us kids when we were small--the 1950's. Now I am teaching it to my grandson. He loves it just like I did. Kids like lots of silly songs. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Joy Williams Date: 23 Apr 17 - 07:00 PM Old Dan Tucker was my great grandmother's great grandfather. He lived in Elbert Co, Ga. He owned a large plantation and operated a ferry. He was a Methodist minister who took a great interest in the nearby slaves, teaching them and praying with them. They loved him. They would often offer him supper when he visited late in the afternoons. Family history passed down says they started singing a song about him that they would sing while working the fields. They ended their verses with "Get out of the way Old Dan Tucker, you too late to get yo supper". The song was passed down through generations and lyrics continued to change from different ones wanting credit for writing the song. Old Dan Tucker died in Elbert Co, GA in 1818. My information came from family stories my great grandmother told my father. My father used to love to sing about Old Dan Tucker. |
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Subject: ADD Version: Old Dan Tucker (Seeger) From: Joe Offer Date: 11 Apr 17 - 08:35 PM Here's a modernized and abridged version from Pete Seeger: OLD DAN TUCKER Now, old Dan Tucker's a fine old man, Washed his face in a fryin' pan, Combed his head with a wagon wheel And died with a toothache in his heel. CHORUS: Get out the way, old Dan Tucker, You're too late to get your supper, Get out the way, old Dan Tucker, You're too late to get your supper, Now old Dan Tucker is come to town Riding a billy goat — leading a hound Hound dog bark and the billy goat jump Landed Dan Tucker on top of the stump. Now old Dan Tucker he got drunk Fell in the fire and kicked up a chunk Red hot coal got in his shoe And oh my lawd how the ashes flew Now old Dan Tucker is come to town Swinging the ladies round and round First to the right and then to the left Then to the girl that he Loves best. Source: American Favorite Ballads, by Pete Seeger, page 52 Oak Publications, 1961, 1970 Seeger's notes: By Dan Emmett, who also composed "Dixie." It was the big bit song of 1844 ("Oh Susanna" came in 1848) and and is another example of a minstrel tune that got taken back into folk tradition and further changed.
Click to play (joeweb) |
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Subject: ADD Version: Old Dan Tucker From: Joe Offer Date: 11 Apr 17 - 08:22 PM OLD DAN TUCKER Ol' Dan Tucker's a fine old man, Washed his face in a fryin' pan, Combed his head wid a wagon wheel And died with a toothache in his heel. CHORUS: Git out the way, ol' Dan Tucker, You too late to git yo' supper, Supper's over an' dinner's cookin' — An ol' Dan Tucker jes' standin' there lookin'! I come to town the other night, To hear the noise and see the fight, The watchman he was a-runnin' around, Cryin', "Ol' Dan Tucker's come to town." Ol' Dan Tucker come to town, Ridin' a billygoat an' leadin' a houn', Houn' barked and the billygoat jumped, Throwed ol' Dan right straddle of a stump. Ol' Dan Tucker dumb a tree, His Lord and Master for to see, The limb, it broke an' Dan got a fall, Never got to see his Lord at all. Ol' Dan Tucker went to the mill, To git some meal to put in the swill; The miller swore by the p'int of his knife He never had seed such man in his life. Ol' Dan Tucker he got drunk Fell in the fire and he kicked up a chunk; Red hot coal got in his shoe, Lord godamighty, how the ashes flew! Ol' Dan Tucker he come to town, Swingin' the ladies round an' around; First to the right an' then to the left, An' then to the one that you love best. Ol' Dan an' me, we did fall out, An' what do you reckon it was about? He stepped on my corn, I kicked him on the shin, An' that's the way this row begin. Ol' Dan Tucker begun in early life To play the banjo an' the fife; He'd play the boys and gals to sleep An' then into his bunk he'd creep. Source: Best Loved American Folk Songs (Folk Song U.S.A.), by John A. & Alan Lomax, 1947. #27, pp. 92-93 |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Old Dan Tucker From: Joe Offer Date: 11 Apr 17 - 08:10 PM Here's the version of "Old Dan Tucker" that we have. Anybody know where it's from? OLD DAN TUCKER (from DT) (Daniel Decatur Emmett) cho: Get out the way for old Dan Tucker, He's too late to have his supper, Supper's over, dinner's a-cookin', (alternate: Pot's on the fire and dinner's cooking) But Old Dan Tucker's just standin' there lookin'. Old Dan Tucker's a fine old man, Washed his face in a frying pan, Combed his hair with a wagon wheel, Died of toothache in his heel. Old Dan Tucker he come to town, Riding on a billygoat, leading a hound, Hound dog bark and the billygoat jump, Throwed Dan Tucker on top of a stump. Old Dan Tucker, he got drunk, Fell in the fire and he kicked up a chunk, Red hot coal got in his shoe, Oh my Lawdy how the ashes flew. Old Dan Tucker, he come to town, Swinging the ladies round and round, First to the right and then to the left And then to the gal that he loved best. I come to town the other night, To hear the noise and see the fight The people, they was running around (or: watchman, he was..) Cryin' Old Dan Tucker's come to town. Ol' Dan and me we did fall out, An' what do you reckon it was about? He stepped on my corn, I kicked him on the shin, An' that's the way this row begin. (And 3 less well-known verses:) Ol' Dan Tucker clumb a tree, His Lord and Master for to see, The limb it broke and Dan got a fall, Never got to see his Lord at all. Ol' Dan Tucker went to the mill, To git some meal to put in the swill; The miller swore by the p'int of his knife He never seed such a man in his life. Dan Tucker begun in early life To play the banjo and the fife; He'd play the boys and gals to sleep And then into some bunk he'd creep. @banjo @minstrelshow filename[ DANTUCKR AJS oct97 Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry for this song: Old Dan TuckerDESCRIPTION: Vignettes: Old Dan Tucker arrives to court the girls, sell his produce, and/or get drunk. Example: "Old Dan went down to the mill / To get some meal to put in the swill. / The miller swore by the point of his knife / He never seen such a man in his life."AUTHOR: attributed to Daniel Decatur Emmett EARLIEST DATE: 1841? (Emerson says 1843) KEYWORDS: bawdy playparty talltale FOUND IN: US(Ap,MW,Ro,SE,So) Australia REFERENCES (24 citations): Randolph 521, "Old Dan Tucker" (3 texts plus 2 excerpts, 1 tune) Randolph-Legman I, pp. 431-433, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 tune, 3 texts) BrownIII 82, "Old Dan Tucker" (6 texts); 509, "Nigger in the Woodpile" (1 two-line fragment, probably this though the vulgar idiom of the title is obviously common to many songs) BrownSchinhanV 82, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 tuns plus a text excerpt) Scarborough-NegroFS, p. 188, (no title) (2 fragments, one clearly this and the other a Dan Tucker stanza but with "Ole Aunt Dinah" in Dan's place); also p. 199, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, with a verse from this song though it has a chorus about "Sambo") Brewster 86, "Old Dan Tucker" (4 short text) Wolford, pp. 78-80=WolfordRev, pp. 180-182, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, 1 tune) ThompsonNewYork, p. 274, "(Old Dan Tucker)" (1 short text, probably localized) Fuson, p. 163, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text) Cambiaire, p. 140, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 fragment) Boswell/Wolfe 81, pp. 130-132, "Walk, Tom Wilson" (1 text, 1 tune, about half "Old Dan Tucker" and half "Walk Tom Wilson," with probably a few other stray elements as well) Owens-2ed, p. 155, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, 1 tune) Hubbard, #200, "Old Dan Tucker" (3 texts) Meredith/Anderson, p. 263, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 fragment, 1 tune) RJackson-19CPop, pp. 160-162, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, 1 tune) Lomax-FSUSA 27, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, 1 tune) Lomax-ABFS, pp. 258-262, "Old Dan Tucker" (2 texts, 1 tune) Coleman/Bregman, pp. 28-29, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, 1 tune) Emerson, pp. 34-35, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text) PSeeger-AFB, p. 52, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text, 1 tune) Silber-FSWB, p. 240, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text) Pankake-PHCFSB, p. 81, "Old Dan Tucker" (1 text) DT, DANTUCKR ADDITIONAL: Richard M. Dorson, _Buying the Wind: Regional Folklore in the United States_, University of Chicago Press, 1964, pp. 382-384, "Old Dan Tucker" (2 texts, 1 tune) ST R521 (Full) Roud #390 RECORDINGS: Bentley Ball, "Old Dan Tucker" (Columbia A3087, 1920) Harry C. Browne "Old Dan Tucker" (Columbia A1999, 1916) Fiddlin' John Carson, "Old Dan Tucker" (OKeh 40263, 1925; rec. 1924) Pat Ford, "Old Dan Tucker" [fragment] (AFS A 4211 B2, 1939; in AMMEM/Cowell) Al Hopkins & his Buckle Busters, "Old Dan Tucker" (Brunswick 295, 1929; rec. 1928) Charlie Jones & his Kentucky Corn Crackers, "Old Dan Tucker" (Rondo R-168, n.d., prob. late 1940s) Uncle Dave Macon, "Old Dan Tucker" (Vocalion 15033, 1925) Pete Seeger, "Old Dan Tucker" (on PeteSeeger17) Judge Sturdy's Orchestra "Old Dan Tucker" (Victor 20102, 1926; rec. 1925) Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers, "Old Dan Tucker" (Columbia 15382-D, 1929; rec. 1928) BROADSIDES: Bodleian, Harding B 15(227a), " Old Dan Tucker" ("Dan Tucker lived in a nice little hut"), Birt (London), 1833-1851; also Harding B 11(3639), Harding B 15(227a), Harding B 15(84a), "[Old] Dan Tucker" ("Dan Tucker lived in a nice little hut"); Harding B 11(952), "Old Dan Tucker" ("I came across de ocean wide"); Harding B 11(927), Firth b.28(38) View 2 of 2)[some words illegible] , "Ole Tan Tucker"("Ole Tan Tucker cum to town one night"); Harding B 15(227b), Firth c.17(70), "Old Dan Tucker" ("I came ober here de oder day") LOCSheet, sm1843 031800, "Old Dan Tucker" ("I come to town de oder night"), F. D. Benteen (), 1843 (tune); also sm1845 791510, "Old Dan Tucker"("I come to town de udder night"), (tune) CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "Clear the Track" (tune) cf. "Johnny, Get Your Gun (II)" (floating lyrics) cf. "The End of Big Bill Snyder" (tune) cf. "Old Ann Tucker" (derivative: female version) SAME TUNE: Clear the Track (I) (File: SCW48) Bryan Campaign Song (File: Wels078B) The End of Big Bill Snyder (Greenway-AFP, pp. 30-31) The Workingman's Train (Greenway-AFP, pp. 87-88) Henry Clay (Hudson, p. 211; cf. "Henry Clay Songs," File: SRW039) A Song for the Campaign (File: TPS061) Riot in the City Hall Park, June 18, 1857 (WolfAmericanSongSheets p. 135) Our Flag Is Up ("Come Whigs and Patriots, one and all, Our Suffering Nation gives a 'call'") (Lawrence, p. 320) The New Party ("Come all ye who're fond of singing, Let us set a song a-ringing) (Lawrence, p. 323) John Merryman ("John Merryman, the Marylander") (WolfAmericanSongSheets, p. 190) Position and Call to Start a Tucker/Old Dan Tucker (square dance call) (Welsch, p.. 110-111) The Pastor's Daughter Oh! Boatman Haste (words by George Pope Morris, 1844; cf. Jon W. Finson, _The Voices That Are Gone: Themes in Nineteenth-Century American Popular Song_, Oxford University Press, 1994, p.31) NOTES: Randolph-Legman I offers a few bawdy verses to this otherwise immaculate dance tune. - EC This was originally published as by "Dan Tucker Jr.," but it is generally believe that it was by Dan Emmett -- his first significant work. For a description of the sheet music, see Harry Dichter and Elliott Shapiro, Early American Sheet Music: Its Lure and Its Lore, 1768-1889, R. R. Bowker, 1941, p. 52. - RBW The broadsides are more varied than usual. Note the differences in titles and first lines. - BS This was apparently the first song ever sung by Dan Emmett and the Virginia Minstrels in their very first audition in 1843 (see details in the notes on "Dixie"). The rest, obviously, was history. There is dispute over Emmett's role in the composition. Jon W. Finson, The Voices That Are Gone: Themes in Nineteenth-Century American Popular Song, Oxford University Press, 1994, p. 178, says that it was first published in 1842 by Millet's Music Saloon, with no attribution. The 1843 version more strongly associated with Emmett has a different form; it makes Old Dan a "a primitive backwoodsman with awesome abilities." Finson's note 39 cites S. Foster Damon to the effect that Emmett wrote the song in 1830. The most likely explanation for all this, it seems to me, is that Emmett originally wrote the song but had no way of publishing it. Someone put out what amounts to a bootleg edition. This may have been rewritten, or perhaps Emmett himself, once the bootleg came out, rewrote the song to allow a separate copyright. But I can't prove any of this. And I would certainly admit the possibility of earlier folktales about Old Dan. - RBW Last updated in version 4.1 File: R521 Go to the Ballad Search form Go to the Ballad Index Instructions The Ballad Index Copyright 2016 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: Old Dan Tucker (Original Version) From: GUEST Date: 08 Apr 17 - 10:09 AM 1. I come to town de udder night, I hear de noise an saw de fight, De watchman was a runnin roun, crying Old Dan Tucker's come to town, CHORUS So get out de way! get out de way! get our de way! Old Dan Tucker your to late to come to supper. 2. Tucker is a nice old man, He use to ride our darby ram; He sent him whizzen down de hill, If he hadn't got up he'd lay dar still. (Gran' CHORUS) 3. Here's my razor in good order Magnum bonum--jis hab bought 'er; Sheep shell oats, Tucker shell de corn, I'll shabe you soon as de water get warm. (Gran' CHORUS) 4. Ole Dan Tucker an I got drunk, He fell in de fire an kick up a chunk, De charcoal got inside he shoe Lor bless you honey how de ashes flew. (Gran' CHORUS) 5. Down de road foremost de stump, Massa make me work de pump; I pump so hard I broke de sucker, Dar was work for ole Dan Tucker. (Gran' CHORUS) 6. I went to town to buy some goods I lost myself in a piece of woods, De night was dark I had to suffer, It froze de heel of Daniel Tucker. (Gran' CHORUS) 7. Tucker was a hardened sinner, He neber said his grace at dinner; De ole sow squeel, de pigs did squall He 'hole hog wid de tail and all. (Gran' CHORUS) =========================== [Source: pages 150-151 from "Minstrel Songs, Old and New" (1883)] And now ole Dan is a gone sucker, And neber can go home to supper; Old Dan he has had his last ride, And de Banjo's buried by his side. CHORUS So get out de way, Ole Dan Tucker, get our de way, Old Dan Tucker, get our de way, Old Dan Tucker, You're too late to come to supper. Source:pdmusic Old Dan Tucker Midi File Old Dan Tucker Sheet Music |
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Subject: Lyr Add: Old Dan Tucker (Children Version) From: GUEST Date: 01 Apr 17 - 10:44 AM Now Old Dan Tucker is a fine old man, Washed his face in a frying pan, Combed his head with a wagon wheel, Died with a toothache in his heel. Get out the way old Dan Tucker, You're too late to get your supper, Supper's over, and dinner's cookin', Old Dan Tucker just stands there lookin'. Now Old Dan Tucker is come to town, Riding on a billygoat, leading a hound, Hound dog bark and the billygoat jump, Landed Dan Tucker on top of a stump. Get out the way old Dan Tucker, You're too late to get your supper, Supper's over, and dinner's cookin', Old Dan Tucker just stands there lookin'. Now Old Dan Tucker, is come to town, Swinging the ladies round and round, First to the right and then to the left And then to the one that he loves the best. Get out the way old Dan Tucker, You're too late to get your supper, Supper's over, and dinner's cookin', Old Dan Tucker just stands there lookin'. Source:Songs for teaching |
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Subject: Tune Add: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST Date: 01 Mar 17 - 05:04 PM Here is the ABC file: T: Old Dan Tucker C:Dan Emmett (1843) M: 2/4 L: 1/8 K: Gmaj G G G E | G G G3/2 D/ | G G A B | D D E2 | G G G E | G/G/ G G2 |$ G G A (B/B/ | D) D E G | %8 B/ B B/ B2 | A G E G | A/ A A/ A2 | D D E G |$ B/ B B/ B2 | A G E G | A A A B/ z/ | D D E/ G3/2 |] Please add this tune to old Dan tucker that would be helpful! |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Stringsinger Date: 22 Feb 09 - 03:51 PM The DiZurik sisters were well-known in early country music. They are really exquisite. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Don Firth Date: 22 Feb 09 - 01:25 PM Thank you, Mr. Beard! You've made my day. (I can't stop laughing!!) Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Jack Blandiver Date: 22 Feb 09 - 12:34 PM You'll find the antidote right here: http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2007/08/365-days-214---.html |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Megan L Date: 21 Feb 09 - 04:51 PM Spaw that wis jist doon right scarry |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: catspaw49 Date: 21 Feb 09 - 04:42 PM Ain't it amazin' how a song gets misused and abused? I always thought Dan Tucker was a reasonably crappy song but even poor old Dan doesn't deserve this! Old Dan done in by the Wiggles Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Billy Weeks Date: 24 Feb 04 - 04:40 PM Hello again Q. I'm beginning to think we should really be in a new Ethiopian Serenaders thread. I have a number of their song sheets and related items by T D 'Jim Crow' Rice, Piccaninny Coleman and others. One further thought. The standard group lithograph of the ES shows Pell on bones at one end and Germon on tambourine at the opposite end. Were they possibly the first minstrel 'endmen' ('cornermen' in Britain) to fix the names 'Tambo and Bones' to the principal crosstalk artists in a troupe? |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 24 Feb 04 - 01:42 PM The five you name are the original. On their 'authorized editions' their pictures appeared with their instruments. "American Memory" is the online name of the US Government's Smithsonian Museum website which covers history, music, photographs and about anything else you could name- seven million items in their catalogues- and material from other collections as well. Just enter a subject- in this case Ethiopian Serenaders- in 'Search' and you will find the songs I mentioned, plus others: American Memory (Ignore the first item in the list- there was a later Chautaqua (sp?) circuit group which took that name) "My Old Aunt Sally," 1847 is the first listed sheet music found with a Search for Ethiopian Serenaders (front cover showing Pell et al.). "Rosa Lee," 1847, is another in their collection, which I forgot to put on my list. "Hop Lite Loo," which I posted 02 Feb 03 was the 1860s(?) song to which I mistakenly thought you were referring. It is not by them. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Billy Weeks Date: 24 Feb 04 - 12:08 PM I forgot to say that the Ethiopian Serenaders were hugely successful in London, partly because they wore evening dress. T D Rice and other pioneer soloists ten years earlier enjoyed immense popularity, but their plantation slave dress did not have the resonance here that it had in the States. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Billy Weeks Date: 24 Feb 04 - 11:55 AM Hi Q! (sounds like a measure of intelligence, don't it) I didn't quite get the reference to Hop Lite Loo. Am I missing something? The original American troupe known as the Ethiopian Serenaders (Pell, Harrington, White, Stanwood and Germon - left to r ight, in the order they are usually shown) are the same ones who appeared in London in 1846. Pell played the bones ('clackers' sounds outway rude to my innocent ear). There is a music front of around the same date showing a superb likeness of G W White, with a banjo that seems to me so well drawn as to bear examination by experts. The Nightingale and Campbells' ES I'm not sure about but will check my sources. I've seen at least one London front with Dumbolton mentioned, so presumably his ES also appeared here. As a matterof interest (drifting away from Old Dan T a bit) a troupe called the Original Female American Serenaders appeared regularly at Renton Nicholson's Tableaux Vivans (sic) in Bow Street, London in 1848-9 |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 23 Feb 04 - 05:26 PM Sorry, the above from American Memory. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 23 Feb 04 - 05:26 PM The "Ethiopian Serenaders" shared the same name with other troupes. Ethiopian Serenaders ("The Only Correct and Authorized Edition") Sheet music cover shows five men, 1 with clackers, 2 with banjos,1 with squeezebox and 1 with tambourine. Printings with this picture: 1845 Philadelphia Gals 1847 My Old Aunt Sally (17 titles listed on cover, can't read) 1847 Old Dan Tucker 1847 Chloe Is My Wife 1848 Buffalo Gals 1848 Lucy Neal 1848 De Boatmen's Dance 1848 Uncle Gabriel 1848 Negro Fishermen 1848 The Old Gum Tree 1848 De Color'd Fancy Ball 1848 My Skiff Is By the Shore 1847 I Wish I Was in Ole Varginny Nightingale Ethiopian Serenaders 1848, The Yaller Gal with the Josey On Campbells Ethiopian Serenaders 1848, I See Her At the Window. Dumbolton's Ethiopian Serenaders 1849, The Female Slave's Lament Billy Weeks, which of these troupes appeared in London? Or was it another one? |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 23 Feb 04 - 01:12 PM Hi! Billy Weeks. Do you mean "Hop Lite Loo"? The comedian's name should be Frank Lum, not Lunn, my mistake. My 1860s? date is based on the images on the border of this Masran (NY) sheet, and the address, No. 54, Chatham St. It could have appeared in earlier printings, and certainly the song was an 'Ethiopian' hit from 1843 onwards. No certain knowledge about the time Masran occupied those premises, but somewhere I saw the date 1850s-1860s. Also on the sheet is the fake Irish "Little Pigs," which, with the line "Lilipulari, my dad was a bonny wee man," suggests "Lilibularo." I will try to find out when 'Frank Lum' was active, but it is not easy to track these old minstrels down. Rex, 'Get out de way' does seem to be the earliest- on the 1843 sheet music credited to James M. Deems and others. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Rex on the work 'puter Date: 23 Feb 04 - 11:23 AM The bit of text that Joe included of the song itself has the chorus the way we have found it in early examples of the sheet music. (See the Levy sheet music collection) Get out de way, Get out de way,..... That is the way we recorded it on our cd: thread.cfm?threadid=61498&messages=18#1043982 I haven't seen this form of the chorus represented very much even though it seems to be way Emmett himself played it. Rex |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Billy Weeks Date: 22 Feb 04 - 07:21 AM A rather late, pernicketty correction to Dicho's June 02 posting of the Serenaders' 'Dan Tucker', dated in London, 'probably 1860s'. The Ethiopian (or Aethiopean) Serenaders first appeared in London in 1846 and this seems the more likely date for this version. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 21 Feb 04 - 06:24 PM Lyr. Add: Old Dan Tucker (Texas) Old Dan Tucker's back in town, Swinging the ladies all around; First to the right and then to the left, And then to the girl that he loves best. Refrain: Get out of the way for Old Dan Tucker; He's too late to get his supper; Supper's over and dinner's cooking. Left Old Dan standing looking. Old Dan Tucker, big and fat, Washed his face in my straw hat, Dried his face on a wagon wheel, Died with a toothache in the heel. Old Dan Tucker's mother-in-law Was the ugliest thing I ever saw; Her eyes stuck out and her nose stuck in, Her upper lip hung over her chin. Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man, He washed his face in a frying pan; He combed his hair with a wagon wheel And died with the toothache in his heel. Refrain: Clear the track for Old Dan Tucker, He's too late to get his supper; Supper's over and dinner's cooking, Left Old Dan standing looking. Wm. A. Owens, Texas Folk Songs, Second Edition, SMU Press, 1976 (not in the first edition of 1950). |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 21 Feb 04 - 06:08 PM Any connection of the song "Dan Tucker" to the Rev. Daniel Tucker is probably coincidental. The evidence is strictly anecdotal. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Joe Offer Date: 21 Feb 04 - 05:31 PM AS I was looking for Johnny Booker, I ran into Old Dan Tucker, who also had a toothache in his heel. Bill D has the same story I found, but this one has some additional details:
The Reverend Daniel Tucker was born in Virginia on February 14, 1740. As a young man he came to Elbert County to take up a land grant and served as a Captain in the American Revolution. Farming the rich land along the Savannah River, he became a very capable farmer. Records show that at least one man was bound to Daniel Tucker to learn how to farm. One of his closest friends and neighbors was the former Governor of Georgia, Stephen Heard.
"Old Dan Tucker"
Directions:
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Bill D Date: 10 May 03 - 12:14 PM My wife was just looking thru some old newspapers saved by her aunt in Georgia in 1945 and found an entire article on Rev. Daniel Tucker, with photographs of the gravesite, and of Fiddlin' John Carson. ...I will try to scan the article, which claims the the original song was begun by the local Negroes, who adored Rev. Tucker...the implication being that Dan Emmett merely added to it and popularized it. (not surprising, given the loose way 'ownership' and credit was treated in those days)......THe article in the Atlanta Journal gives a LOT of history of Rev. Tucker and the area and culture In the meantime, search found this page with this quote in it: "Old Dan Tucker" Rev. Daniel Tucker owned a large plantation on the Savannah River and is buried near his old hometown, "Point Lookout", six miles from here. Born in Virginia, February 14, 1774, Daniel Tucker came here to take up a land grant. A revolutionary soldier, planter and minister, he owned and operated Tucker's Ferry near his home. He died April 7, 1818 - but not "of a toothache in his heel". Esteemed by his fellow planters, he was loved by the Negroes who composed the many verses of the famous ditty, "Old Dan Tucker", a favorite song at corn shuckings and social gatherings. Marker is on GA 72 southeast of Middleton. also, this page with a couple of pics and some history stand by to see how scanning of this almost 60 year old newspaper article goes.. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Q Date: 02 Feb 03 - 03:16 PM Arrangement for Spanish guitar: Philip Ernst, pub. Christman, N. Y., 1844. Words the same as the "Dan Tucker Jr. version of 1845. American Memory, search Dan Tucker. Another 1844 version published with sheet music for "Dandy Jim of Caroline." |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Q Date: 02 Feb 03 - 02:19 PM Another version in American Memory, 1845, "By Dan Tucker, Jr.," = "Dan Pucker Jr." Most of the verses have been posted in other lyrics. Don't believe this one has appeared yet. Here's my razor in good order Magnum bonum, jis hab bought 'er; Sheep shell oats, Tucker shell de corn, I'll shabe you soon as de water get warm. Lyr. Add: HOP LITE LOO (as sung by Frank Lunn, the celebrated Ethiopian commedian) Ole Bull and ole Dan Tucker Played a match for an oyster supper; Ole Bull did Tucker beat, An', of course, he had to stand de treat. Cho. With a hop lite loo, De Devil's in de big I am; Oh, Oh! de hop lite loo: Don't take it all, but just leave me some, an' Ram, jam de hoo da. Daniel Tucker went out for to skate; He fell down on the ice and broke his pate; He fell down on the ice a little harder than he oughter; The ice broke through and the poor old devil fell in the water. Nix Comarous with the Sourkrout; Hit a Negro on his shin and nock his eye out; Slock block, try hussac; oh! Jenny, come along With a good beefsteak and a boll of shu-shong. Published by H. De Marsan, New York, n. d. (1860s?). American Memory, item 28 of 500 under Dan Tucker (America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets). |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Q Date: 02 Feb 03 - 01:06 PM The minstrel songs spread throughout the English speaking world in the 19th century, Old Dan Tucker soon after Dan Emmett's(?) original. Sheet music credited to James M. Deems appeared in December, 1843 ("composed and arranged by James M. Deems," a quick step performed by the Independent Blues band, and published in Baltimore by Benteen. This is the same year as the "Emmit" version posted by Masato. Only one verse preserved of the Deems lyrics (copy incomplete?). Ole Dan Tucker Ole Dan Tucker come to town de oder night, I looked around, I seed a sight, Watchers dey assembled round Oh, hark! Ole Dan Tucker is come to town. Git out de way, git out de way Ole Dan Tucker you're too late to come to supper. "Watchers" assembled round seems more logical than "watchmen." Something misheard or a deliberate difference? What was the National "Blues" Band? Anything to do with the origin of blues music? Doubtful, but interesting. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Don Firth Date: 02 Feb 03 - 12:12 PM Old Dan Tucker was one of the first songs I remember my dad singing when I was a little squirt (this would be in the Thirties). He only knew a verse or two and the chorus. His grandfather, born in the Orkney Islands, came to the San Juan Islands (Washington State) with the Hudson's Bay Company in the mid-nineteenth century. My dad was born on San Juan Island. He said he'd heard it there. Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: BUTTERFLY Date: 02 Feb 03 - 06:37 AM Desperate Dan still appears in the Dandy (I checked a recent issue), which is published, along with the Beano, by D.C. Thomson of Dundee, Scotland, See the internet, eg http://www.paulmorris.co.uk/beano/strips/desperatedan.htm Some artists were even commissioned to produce a £45,000 statue of him in Dundee! |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Charley Noble Date: 13 Jan 03 - 08:24 AM Thanks, Dicho, for posting the minstrel version of this song with the notes. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: BUTTERFLY Date: 13 Jan 03 - 07:59 AM Dear All, When I first heard the song "Old Dan Tucker" on an LP by Cisco Houston about 18 years ago, I wondered if the lyrics below might haev inspired "Desparate Dan", a cartoon character in a British Comic (It may have been the "Dandy" or "Beano" - this will only mean anything to UK readers). Anyway, Desparate Dan usually sported what is now called "designer stubble" and was known I think for feats of strength, etc (mayeb he even did comb his hair with a wagon wheel). I wonder if he or the Dandy, etc, are still going; must pop down my local newsagent to have a look. Any theories on this would be welcome, though I may be barking up the wrong tree. The album by Cisco Houston also contained "Big Rock Candy Mountain", "Gold Mine Blues" and several other good songs. Does anyone know which one it was, or where I could get it. An Internet search for Cisco Houston has not managed to come up with this particular album. "Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man Washed his face in a frying pan. Combed his hair with a wagon wheel And died with a toothache in his heel." |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 31 Dec 02 - 09:34 AM Catchy the first time, cute the second, but rather repetitive stale after that.
Sinceerely, |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: ex-pat Date: 30 Dec 02 - 11:33 PM Nathan and Richie: The 19th Century band I play in has been doing Old Dan Tucker for two years. Folks recognise it and sing along and clap their hands. It's going on our next CD. Great, great song. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Richie Date: 30 Dec 02 - 11:15 PM Nathan, My bluegrass group has played it twice in the last five years on request only. I know a couple of verses and the chorus by memory so we can get by playing it. It's a great song, I don't know why it isn't played more. Maybe because it is considered a popular children's song, jam sessions have avoided it. -Richie |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Nathan in Texas Date: 30 Dec 02 - 10:02 PM I don't think anyone's addressed the question that started this thread, 'Why don't I ever hear this song at old time or bluegrass jams?' I was at a jam just last week and someone asked if we could play it. It occurred to me that I had never heard it at a bluegrass or old-time jam and I wondered why. Then today I find a thread with the same observation and question. Would YOU play it a jam? Why or why not? |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Stewie Date: 30 Dec 02 - 09:29 PM I have posted Uncle Dave Macon's version to the Uncle Dave lyrics thread - corrections warmly welcomed: Click for Uncle Dave's version The earliest oldtimey recording of this was by Fiddlin' John Carson. Clearly, Carson thought Dan Tucker was white. For an interesting discussion of this point, and the song's history, see Gene Wiggins 'Fiddlin' Georgia Crazy: Fiddlin' John Carson, His Real World and the World of His Songs' Uni Illinois Press 1987, pp 207-208. Here is what I can decipher of Fiddlin' John's rendition - the reissue recording sound is shouse: OLD DAN TUCKER Old Dan Tucker was a fine old feller But he would play cards with a nigger in the cellar Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker You come too late to get your supper Sheep shell corn by the rattle of the horn Shave old folks when the water gets warm Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker You come too late to get your supper [Held ?] that sow all by the tail Sow did squeal and the pigs did squall But all Dan Tucker just paid for it all Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker You come too late to get your supper Old Dan Tucker was fine old man He washed his face in the frying pan Combed his hair with a wagon wheel Died with a toothache in his heel Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker You come too late to get your supper Old Dan Tucker, he went to town, and he got drunk Fell in the fire and he kicked up a chunk Charcoal poured in his shoe Great God Almighty how the ? fell through Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker Out of the way, Old Dan Tucker You come too late to get your supper Source: transcription of Fiddlin' John Carson 'Old Dan Tucker' recorded on 18 December 1924 in NYC and issued as OK 40263 in February 1925. Reissued on Fiddlin' John Carson 'Complete Recorded Works Vol II' Document DOCD-8016. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Q Date: 30 Dec 02 - 05:05 PM Found this rather sorry version, lifted from Dan Emmett's song, in Bodleian Library, Harding B 11(927), 1840-1866. Added for completeness. Printed in the British Isles, at Preston by John Harkness. Ole Tan Tucker Ole Tan Tucker cum to town one night, He look around, and see a great sight; De watchmen dey assemble round, 'Cause ole Tan Tucker hab come to town. Cho.: Gar out ob de way--gar out ob de way, Gar out ob de way, ole Tan Tucker, You um too late to come to supper. Ole Tan Tucker him a nice ole man, He ride on de hoss dey call Ole Bran; It sent him missin' down de hill, If he no get up him lie dere still. Niggers far and near wud go To hear him play on him ole banjo; So he used to sit by de light ob de moon, And fire away at de good ole tune. Ole Tan Tucker cum home quite drunk, Him fall in de fire and kick up a junk; De charcoal get inside him shoe, And lord gib you honey, how de ashes flew. Dere was a man on a rail, He pick him tooth wid de end ob him tail; He pick it until he was not able, Till his eyes were large as a kitchen table. He cum to town to buy some goods, He lost himself in a lot of woods; Miss Sambo she look sad and woe, And she wink at him wid her heel and toe. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 06 Jun 02 - 08:34 PM Lyr. Add: DAN TUCKER Dan Tucker owned an ole log hut An' kept it clean as a cocoanut "A tarnation appetite I've got," said Dan "So I'll borrow a supper wherever I can." Chorus: Heigh ho, out ob de way Old Dan Tucker. You're to late to hab your supper (Repeat). Dan Tucker look at a pig runnin' by An' smack his lip an' wink his eye But the pig he look in a knowin' way And give a grunt as if to say Heigh ho, out ob de way Old Dan Tucker You're too late, etc. De pig run away but a fowl goin' by Look at ole Dan so terrible sly As I can't get de pig, Dan Tucker cried If I hab de fowl, I'll be satisfied. Den after de fowl Dan Tucker ran But de fowl had longer legs than Dan He war soon out of breath but he has got away An' gave a cackle which seemed to say- I'm stuck(?) for dodging, said ole Dan So I'll dodge me a supper if I can He went to his friends all round, oh ho! He dodged in vain for it war no go Dan went home wid an aching heart An' wid out his supper he went to bed An' dreamed dat de pig an' hen, out ob spite Cackled and squealed in his bed all night. This one tells a cohesive story. Most have some verses unconnected with a story. Sung by the Ethiopian Serenaders. Published London, Dan Tucker and Jim Crack Corn. From Levy Collection (see Link provided by Masato Sakurai, above) Box 017 Item 089. No date visible but probably ca. 1860. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 05 Jun 02 - 01:44 PM Foul-up on last verse: Tucker was a hardened sinner, He nebber said his grace at dinner; De ole sow squeel de pigs did squall He 'hole hog wid de tail and all. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 05 Jun 02 - 01:40 PM The sheet music in Levy, found by Masato, has seven verses, of which four are different. 1st verse: Similar, but only one watchman run-nin roun. First line of chorus as posted by Masato, above, "sings" better. 2nd verse, line 4: "....lay dar still (not laid). 3rd verse: This is verse 9 in the Marsh publication of 1854. 4: Old Dan Tucker an I got drunk, He fell in de fire and kick up a chunk; De charcoal got inside he shoe Lor bless you honey how de ashes flew. 5. Down de road foremost de stump, Massa make me work de pump; I pump so hard I broke de sucker, Dar was work for ole Dan Tucker. I went to town to buy some goods I lost myself in a piece of woods, De night was dark I had to suffer, It froze de heel of Daniel Tucker. Tucker was a hardened sinner, He 'hole hog wid de tail and all. I hope more verses are added here. Verses changed frequently, and different minstrels made their own contributions. Several of the pioneer songs which developed from Old Dan are posted elsewhere or are in the DT. It is an easy progression, as Sorcha says. The origin is probably in old fiddle tunes which over time have acquired a variety of verses of all kinds. Mention of "Take Me Back To Tulsa" brings memories. At the close of WW2 I was stationed near Muskogee. There was a German prisoner of war camp there. In the prison camp kitchen, over coffee and Kaffekuchen, we helped the Germans with the songs they heard on the radio. They liked the country music on the local stations. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: masato sakurai Date: 05 Jun 02 - 09:51 AM What is said to be the "first edition" is at the Levy Collection (Click here). Note the misspelling of the name. Image of the cover is lacking.
Title: Old Dan Emmit's Original Banjo Melodies. The Original Old Dan Tucker.
Richard Jackson reproduces this editon, with cover (Popular Songs of Nineteenth-Century America, Dover, 1976, pp. 160-162), saying in the notes: "Though the text of 'Old Dan Tucker' was indeed written by Emmett, the melody was not his composition. Its origin is not known." (p. 278). ~Masato
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: GUEST,Eileen Smith Date: 05 Jun 02 - 01:50 AM Thanks so much for the orginal lyrics to ODT. I never thought about the fact that he was a Black character, but obviously so! I remember reading some piece years ago remarking on the syncopation of the piece. I always loved it, too. Fun to sing in the car with kids. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Sorcha Date: 04 Jun 02 - 10:59 PM Reference a comment above--I hear a similarity between Old Dan and Stay All Night but I am not hearing the same tune......it's just that they are both those Old Timey progressions. Take Me Back to Tulsa and Mountain Dew are the same type of tunes also. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: OLD DAN TUCKER (Daniel D. Emmett) From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 04 Jun 02 - 10:53 PM Lyr. Add: OLD DAN TUCKER (original) Daniel D. Emmett I come to town de udder night, I hear de noise den saw de sight, De watchmen dey were runnin' roun', Cryin' Old Dan Tucker's come to town, Git out ob de way! [banjo] Git out ob de way! [banjo] Git out ob de way old Dan Tucker, Your to late to come to your supper. Tucker is a nice old man, He used to ride our darby ram, He sent him whizzin' down de hill, If he hadn't got up- he'd laid dar still. Git out ob de way, etc. Sheep an' de hog walkin' in de pastur Sheep sez "hog can't ye go a little faster? Hush! hush honey! hear de wolf howlin'! Ah, ah, de Lawd- ole bull dog growlin', Git out ob de way, etc. Jaybird in de martin's nest, To sabe he soul he got no rest, Ole Tucker run in de fox's den Ou come de young ones- nine or ten. Git, etc. Tucker on de woodpile- can't count 'lebben Put in a fedder bed- him gwine to hebben, His nose so flat, his face so full, De top ob his head like a bag ob wool, Git etc. Tucker went round hicory steeple, Dar he met some colored people, Some was black, an' some was blacker, Some was de color ob brown tobacur. Git etc. High-hold on de holler tree, He poke his bill in for to see, De lizzard cotch 'im by de snout, He call old Tucker to pull 'im out. Git etc. Tucker, he had cash a-plenty, Dressed to death- his old trunck empty, To kiss de gals he thot was useless, 'Cept he kissed wid a sway-back-looseness. Git etc. Here's my razor in good order, Magnum Bonum- jis hab bought 'er, Sheep shell de oats, old Tucker shell de corn I'll shabe you all when de water gits warm. Git etc. I went to meetin' de udder day, To hear old Tucker preach an' pray, Dey all got drunk, but me alone, I make ole Tucker- walk jaw-bone, Git out ob de way, [banjo] Git out ob de way, [banjo] Git out ob de way you harden'd sinner, Your too late to come to your dinner. "Composed by Dan D. Emmet, and sung by him with unbounded applause in Howe's Amphitheatre of the Republic, New York." Page 622 in "Marsh's Selection, or Singing For the Million, Containing the Choicest and Best Collection of Admired Patriotic, Comic, Irish, Negro, Temperance, and Sentimental Songs Ever Embodied in One Work." Three volumes in one, New York, Richard Marsh, 374 Pearl Street, 1854. Reproduced in Newman I. White, 1928, American Negro Folk Songs, pp. 446-447 (1965 reprint). Some verses borrowed from Negro song, some Negro folk song verses were borrowed from Emmett. A complete version of a minstrel song. Note: Spelling preserved. @minstrel @comic @Negro @parody |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: Sorcha Date: 30 Apr 02 - 09:03 PM Ahhh, thanks, ciarili.That explains it. |
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Subject: RE: Old Dan Tucker From: ciarili Date: 30 Apr 02 - 08:32 PM Dear Sorcha, When you get the grand r&l going, you will have extra men in the loop, and when those 8 or 16 beats are over, some will be left without a hand to hold Thus, there will be a ready supply of new Tuckers - it's musical chicks instead of musical chairs! ciarili |
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