ATDTDA (2): "Old Zip Coon" (33.7)

[Tim Strzechowski]

Somewhere a small string orchestra was playing an arrangement of "Old Zip Coon" (p. 33).



"Old Zip Coon" dates from as early as 1834 and is "generally regarded as a the forerunner of 'Turkey in the Straw.' And its lyrics are absurd enough to make 'Turkey' seem eminently sensible.  At least three people have claimed authorship of the song: George Washington Dixon (mentioned but not credited on the earliest sheet music), George Nichols, and Bob Farrell. All three were early blackface performers of the piece (Farrell was actually called "Zip Coon," and is reported to have sung the song in 1834). The dispute over authorship probably cannot be settled at this time"

http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/ballads/RJ19258.html


"Turkey in the Straw" is a well known American folk song dating from the early 19th century. The song's tune was first popularized in the late 1820s and early 1830s by blackface performers, notably George Washington Dixon, Bob Farrell and George Nichols. Another song, "Zip Coon", was sung to the same tune. This version was first published between 1829 and 1834 in either New York or Baltimore. All three of the above performers claimed to have written the song, and the dispute is not resolved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_in_the_Straw


See also:

http://www.stephen-foster-songs.de/Amsong59.htm

http://www.pdinfo.com/rp/R002934.htm

http://thorup.com/lullaby/oldzipcoon.html