9 “Old Shoes & Leggins” by Uncle Eck Dunford

8

January 13, 2009 by gadaya

Uncle Eck Dunford’s World

Uncle Eck Dunford, born in 1878 in Caroll County, West Virginia, was an old-time musician, singer and comedian as well as an eccentric character. During the 1920’s, he played mostly with Ernest Stoneman’s band on fiddle or guitar but also recorded a few sides by himself as lead singer. Later,in the 1930’s he played with members of the Ward family in a band called “The Bogtrotters”.

-On this page, you’ll read a bit more in lenght about “Uncle Eck”

-Apparently, Uncle Eck is best remembered for his archaic voice and eccentric personnality than for his playing on fiddle or guitar. From the few 78rpm records that went out under his name, two features him telling comic stories over Ernest Stoneman’s banjo playing.

-I’ve compiled the sides where he’s the lead singer as well as the three “skits” he recorded with Ernest Stoneman’s Blue Ridge Cornshuckers. There’s also two tracks from The Bogtrotters recorded by the Library of Congress.

TRACK LIST

UNCLE ECK DUNFORD

1.Old Shoes & Leggins

2.Angeline The Baker

3.Skip To Ma Lou, My Darling

4.Whippoorwill Song

5.My first bicycle ride

6.The Savingest Man On Earth

7.What Will I Do When My Money Is All Gone

8.Barney McCoy

ERNEST STONEMAN’S BLUE RIDGE CORNSHUCKERS

9.Old time corn shuckin’ part 1

10.Old time corn shuckin’part 2

11.Possum Trot School Exhibition – Pts. 1 & 2

12.A Serenade In the Mountains – Pts. 1 & 2

THE BOGTROTTERS

13.Who Broke The Lock

14.Old Jimmy Sutton

DOWNLOAD HERE

The Old Shoes & Leggins Variations
With its origin in Scotland in the 18th century, this song remained popular in the british folklore under such titles as “An Old Man Came O’er The Lea” or “With His Grey Beard Newly Shaven”. Usually sung by a young girl, it makes fun of a ridiculous and poor old man who comes courting a young lady.

-On this article, you’ll read more about it and have the full lyrics.

-Click on the picture below to see a wonderful comic book illustration of “Old Shoes and Leggins” by Jeffrey Lewis

-Contrary to my previous post (“The King Kong Kitchie Ki-Me-O Variations”), i couldn’t find many recorded versions of the song but i hope the 14 tracks selected here will give you a good overview.

TRACK LIST

1.Old Shoes & Leggins, Uncle Eck Dunford, from the Anthology

2.The old black booger, Ollie Gilbert, from Max Hunter Folksong Collection

3.With his old gray beard a shining, Mrs Pearl Brewer, from Max Hunter Folksong Collection

4.Old shoes and leggins, David Krussel, from Max Hunter Folksong Collection

5.With his long cane pipe a smokin’, Mrs Clyde Johnson, from Max Hunter Folksong Collection

6.With his old gray beard a shining, Mrs Laura McDonald, from Max Hunter Folksong Collection

7.Old Man’s Courtship,The The Bergerfolk, from “Bergerfolk, Vol. 4: Pack Up Your Sorrows”

8.Old shoe boots and leggings, Sarah Gunning, from “Land of Yahoe”

9.My old gray beard ‘s a flappin, Clyde Davenport, from “American Fogies”

10.Shoes and Leggings ,Jeff Warner and Jeff Davis, from “Two Little Boys: More Old Time Songs for Kids”

11.Old Gray Beard A-Flappin’, Otis High, from “Hand-Me-Down Music: Old Songs, Old Friends, Vol. 2 – Traditional Music of Union County, North Carolina”

12.Old Shoe Boots, Jean Ritchie, from “Children’s Songs and Games from the Southern Mountains”

13.Ole Gum Boots and Leggins, Betty Garland, from “American Folk Ballads”

14.Old Shoes and Leggings, Mike and Peggy Seeger, from  “Mike and Peggy Seeger”

DOWNLOAD HERE