Cripple Creek (folk song)
Encyclopedia
Cripple Creek is an Old Time Appalachian folk
song for the fiddle
, though it is often played on the banjo
as well.. No one knows when it was composed, but there are theories about just where Cripple Creek is. Some say it is Cripple Creek, Virginia
, while others say it is based on Cripple Creek, Colorado
during the gold rush. It was frequently recorded by early country musicians in the 1920s.
"A well-known mining district in Virginia." Probably Rome, Tennessee; there is also a Rome in Georgia.
When Cecil Sharp
collected folksongs in the Appalachian Mountains in 1917 he found one version of Cripple Creek:
Old-time music
Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music, with roots in the folk music of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and countries in Africa. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dance, buck dance, and clogging. The genre also...
song for the fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, though it is often played on the banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
as well.. No one knows when it was composed, but there are theories about just where Cripple Creek is. Some say it is Cripple Creek, Virginia
Cripple Creek, Virginia
Cripple Creek is an unincorporated community in Wythe County, Virginia, United States....
, while others say it is based on Cripple Creek, Colorado
Cripple Creek, Colorado
The City of Cripple Creek is a Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic...
during the gold rush. It was frequently recorded by early country musicians in the 1920s.
Lyrics
The following are lyrics from a 1909 version.- A. "(From East Tennessee; mountain whites; from memory; 1909)"
- Goin' to Cripple Creek, goin' ter Rome (roam),
- Goin' ter Cripple Creek, goin' back home.
- See them women layin' in the shade,
- Waitin' fer the money them men have made.
- Roll my breeches ter my knees
- En wade ol' Cripple Creek when I please.
"A well-known mining district in Virginia." Probably Rome, Tennessee; there is also a Rome in Georgia.
- B. "(From South Carolina; country whites, MS. of Mr. Bryan; 1909)"
- Goin' to Cripple Creek, going in a run;
- Goin' to Cripple Creek to have my fun.
When Cecil Sharp
Cecil Sharp
Cecil James Sharp was the founding father of the folklore revival in England in the early 20th century, and many of England's traditional dances and music owe their continuing existence to his work in recording and publishing them.-Early life:Sharp was born in Camberwell, London, the eldest son of...
collected folksongs in the Appalachian Mountains in 1917 he found one version of Cripple Creek:
- "Gone to Cripple Creek" sung by Mrs. Wilson Pineville, Kentucky, Aug 27, 1917.
- Gone to Cripple Creek, gone in a run,
- Gone to Cripple Creek to have some fun.
- Gone to Cripple Creek, gone in a run,
- Gone to Cripple Creek to have some fun.
-
- "Gone" is probably a mishearing of- goin'.
Recording
- Luther Strong - Recorded in 1937 by the Library of congress, Cripple Creek is among one of the songs recorded (free MP3's in the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_on_Cripple_Creek )