The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane
Encyclopedia
"The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" is a popular song written by Will S. Hays in 1871 for the minstrel trade. Written in dialect, the song tells of an elderly man, presumably a slave or former slave, passing his latter years in a broken-down old log cabin. The title is from a refrain:
The song itself was popular, resulting in several answer songs, but the melody was even more widely used, finding itself adapted to a variety of other songs: Western songs
such as "The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim
" and "Little Joe, The Wrangler"; railroad songs, "Little Red Caboose Behind The Train"; and even hymns, "The Lily Of The Valley
".
Fiddlin' John Carson
's recording of "The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" was one of the first commercial recordings by a rural white musician. Its popularity ensured that the industry would continue recording rural folk songs.
The song has since become a Bluegrass
standard.
The children no more gather 'round my door
And old masters and old mrs they are sleepin' side by side
Near the little old log cabin in the lane
Oh the chimney's fallen down and the roof's all caved in
Lettin' in the sunshine and the rain
And the only friend I've got now is that good old dog of mine
And the little old log cabin in the lane
Oh the trees have all growed up that lead around the hill
The fences have all gone to decay
And the creeks have all dried up where we used to go to mill
And things have changed their course another way
Oh I ain't got long to stay here what little time I've got
I want to rest content while I remain
'Til death shall call this dog and me to find a better home
And a little old log cabin in the lane
- ... de little old log cabin in de lane.
The song itself was popular, resulting in several answer songs, but the melody was even more widely used, finding itself adapted to a variety of other songs: Western songs
Western music (North America)
Western music originated as a form of American folk music. Originally composed by and about the people who settled and worked throughout the Western United States and Western Canada. Directly related musically to old English, Scottish, and Irish folk ballads, Western music celebrates the life of...
such as "The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim
The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim
"The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim" is an American folk song of unknown authorship . It appeared somewhere around 1880 published in several American newspapers. The printings suggested that it be sung to the tune of "The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" written by Will Hays in 1871...
" and "Little Joe, The Wrangler"; railroad songs, "Little Red Caboose Behind The Train"; and even hymns, "The Lily Of The Valley
The Lily Of The Valley
"The Lily Of The Valley" is a Christian hymn written by William Charles Fry in London for the Salvation Army. Ira D. Sankey arranged the words to the music of "The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" composed by Will Hays...
".
Fiddlin' John Carson
Fiddlin' John Carson
Fiddlin' John Carson was an American old time fiddler and an early-recorded country musician.-Early life:...
's recording of "The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" was one of the first commercial recordings by a rural white musician. Its popularity ensured that the industry would continue recording rural folk songs.
The song has since become a Bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
standard.
Lyrics
Oh I'm gettin' old and feeble and I cannot work no moreThe children no more gather 'round my door
And old masters and old mrs they are sleepin' side by side
Near the little old log cabin in the lane
Oh the chimney's fallen down and the roof's all caved in
Lettin' in the sunshine and the rain
And the only friend I've got now is that good old dog of mine
And the little old log cabin in the lane
Oh the trees have all growed up that lead around the hill
The fences have all gone to decay
And the creeks have all dried up where we used to go to mill
And things have changed their course another way
Oh I ain't got long to stay here what little time I've got
I want to rest content while I remain
'Til death shall call this dog and me to find a better home
And a little old log cabin in the lane