From Ruby T. Lomax's field notes: "Songs on this record by John Lowry Goree, made in his home, 2908 Jackson St., Houston, Texas on April 12, 1939 Mr. Goree came from Marian, Alabama: educated at Judson College of which his great-grandfather had been a trustee (named King); he was a plantation-owner. Mr. Goree's mother died at his birth; as a small child he had scrofula and was sent to the plantation to be nursed by old mamy [sic] Aunt Harriet, with whom he lived in a log cabin for two years. From the Negroes on the plantation he learned the songs recorded on this record."