Note: This well-known cowboy song is related to two American strains, a Southern one (via an Irish lullaby) and Northern French trapper song ("whopee, ty, yi, yo"). It was noted down in the journal of Owen Wister: in February, 1893, at Brownwood, Texas. "I have come upon a unique song... and I transcribe it faithfully. Only a cowboy could have produced such an effusion. It has the earmark of entire genuineness."
About the session: These informal recordings of Tom Paxton are among the folksinger's first, and were made by Alan Lomax an at unspecified location in New York CIty. Pete Seeger was also on hand, and assisted in the recording.
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