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08 Nov 21 - 11:57 PM (#4125601) Subject: Origins: Jim Blake, The Engineer origins? From: derekpiotr Curious if anyone can trace the origins of Jim Blake's Message, popularly attributed to the Carter Family but certainly predates them. Some of the pre-war field recordings I have listened to feature versions of this tune, obviously not learned from the Carters. One version, sung by Mrs. Lena Bare Turbyfill, Elk Park, N.C., 1939: Jim Blake, your wife is dying came o’er the wires tonight brought late down to the office by a boy who’s death-pale with fright came rushing up to the office his face was warm and white take this message to dad in his engine for mother is dying tonight and when I heard that the message was for my comrade Jim I made no delay, but hastened away to take the message to him |
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09 Nov 21 - 08:09 AM (#4125616) Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Blake, The Engineer origins? From: cnd Fresno State gives the earliest date as 1910 (link) but not much else. Vernon Dalhart's seems to be the oldest known recording (1927). Multiple references under the name "The Midnight Express", and I've also seen one or two where the name is difference (Jim Slake), but not significantly. The book Long Steel Rail by Norm Cohen is the most complete look into the origins of the song. I haven't found a version on newspapers.com earlier than 1914. |
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09 Nov 21 - 08:14 AM (#4125617) Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Blake, The Engineer origins? From: cnd For some reason the Google Books link is being finicky about showing pages that were previously visible before I shortened the link. Here's the long version: click |