Commentary on Cotton Mather, rattlesnakes, and Springfield Mountain

Audio file
Date recorded: April 19, 1969
Contributor(s): Performer: Lomax, Alan; Recordist: Lomax, Alan
Subject(s):
Genre: interview/commentary
Culture: Anglo-American, Southern U.S.
Instruments: voice
Location: Texas City, Galveston County, Texas, United States
Physical form: Reel to Reel
Tape number: T9000
Track Number: 13
Archive ID: T9000R13
Note: Alan Lomax explains the history of the first popular American ballad, which is about a rattlesnake, an emblematic creature who also appeared on the first American flag with the motto: "Don't Tread on Me." "We are a snake-bit people."
Belongs to: Texas City 1969
About the session: A lecture and performance given by Alan Lomax in Texas City, Texas, on April 19, 1969. Lomax illustrates the development of American folk music through New England hymns to Black spirituals and bad-man ballads. The recording was given to Lomax by Robert P. Shinn.
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