Help: Song Title -Shaving a dead man.

Subject: Help: Shaving a dead man.
From: GUEST,Kaleb
Date: 28 May 02 - 12:26 AM

One of my favorite banjo tunes is a tune called "Shaving a Dead Man." I have always wondered what this title could refer to. Is is some kind of pre-burial custom? I found the tune listed once as "Shaving a Dead N***er," so I am guessing that the tune is from the 19th Century.

This is even more confusing. If for some reason I decide I need to shave a dead guy, what does his ethnic background have to do with it?

I did a search of past threads but did not get any results. I know you guys have a wealth of musical knowledge so I'm hoping someone can enlighten me.

Thanks,
Kaleb (long-time lurker)

Subject: RE: Help: Song Title -Shaving a dead man.
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 May 02 - 12:34 AM

I do know that clipping nails, bathing and generally making presentable (!)a new corpse is usual. It's called 'laying out'. I suppose shaving a man post death would come under that heading too, although I've never 'done' a man.

The racial/racist aspect makes no sense to me- but then you've noticed the names of some fiddle tunes, haven't you? Tunes with names like 'Nail That Catfish to a Tree'; 'Moses, Hoe the Corn'; 'Give the Fiddler a Dram'; 'Dance All Night with a Bottle in Your Hand'; 'Sadie at the Back Door'; 'Waiting for Nancy' and tons more. Who knows what goes on in some benighted folks' heads!

Subject: RE: Help: Song Title -Shaving a dead man.
From: masato sakurai
Date: 28 May 02 - 03:51 AM

From the Fiddler's Companion:

SHAVING A DEAD MAN. AKA and see "Protecting the Innocent," "Shaving a Dead Nigger." Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, West Virginia. The tune first received its alternate title only in the 1970's in an attempt to purge it of racism. Rounder 0010, "Fuzzy Mountain String Band" (learned from Oscar Wright). Rounder 0089, Oscar & Eugene Wright - "Old Time Fiddle and Guitar Music from West Virginia" (learned from Ambrose Dunigan).

Dwight Diller even abbreviates the title (to "S.A.D.") to avoid being offensive (the tab is HERE).

~Masato

Subject: RE: Help: Song Title -Shaving a dead man.
From: Hrothgar
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:15 AM

Maybe it came from France - some place like Carcassone.

Subject: RE: Help: Song Title -Shaving a dead man.
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:04 AM

Beard growth can continue for quite some time after death and therefore it is quite customary for a mortician to shave a cadaver if required.

Subject: RE: Help: Song Title -Shaving a dead man.
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:17 AM

OWT (Old Wives Tale) dead follicles cannot grow hair, only we the living can grow hair, so I say get out there and GROW SOME HAIR! When cadavers were disinterred it appeared to some observers that hair had grown, or nails had grown, but in fact, it is just the dessication of the tissue, shrinkage, in fact that makes it appear so, it does not happen.

The dead are shaved in cultures where there is a viewing of the corpse and the dead person had been a shaver, they didn't shave bearded men, or women who didn't need a shave!

Perhaps the tune is rather difficult to play, something one wouldn't care to do, like shaving a dead (n...) man? OR perhaps it is slang for some other occupation or practice?