Shake Sugaree
Elizabeth Cotten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have a little song, won't take long
Sing it right, once or twice
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my watch, pawn my chain
Pawn everything that was in my name

Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my bucket, horse and cot
Pawn everything that was on my lot
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my chair, pawn my bed
Ain't got nowhere to lay my head
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my tobacco, pawn my pipe
Pawn everything that was in my sight
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Have a little secret, I ain't gonna tell
I'm going to heaven in a ground piece shell
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my farm, pawn my plow
Pawn everything even pawn my old cow
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my hat, pawn my shoes
Pawn everything that I could use
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Have a little secret, I ain't gonna tell
I'm going to heaven and I ain't going to
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Chew my tobacco, spit my juice
We raise cane but it ain't a bit of use
Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Everything I got is done and pawned

Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Overall Meaning

Elizabeth Cotten's "Shake Sugaree" is a blues-inspired hymn with a narrative about the struggle for survival in poverty, the struggle is apparent through the lines that discuss pawning every material possession the singer has, from a watch to a bucket, to a horse and cot, to even their farm and plow. Mirroring the themes of chance, song, and endurance that are common in blues music, the song's structure consists of a repeated chorus ("Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree/Everything I got is done and pawned") that punctuates each series of short verses that describe the small items that the singer has pawned, essentially becoming a meditation on the difficulties of material deprivation.

The term "Sugaree" is a reference to a particular dance step or the name for a dance party where the step is performed, which are both mentioned in other songs like Robert Johnson's "Me and the Devil Blues." The phrase "Shake Sugaree" is a reference to the dance step or dance but may also be expressing the feeling of shaking off bad luck or adversity. The lyrics speak to the constant struggles that are faced when one is trying to survive with a lack of resources, and how through each personal sacrifice, the only thing that remains is the spiritual- the secrets that will carry them forward. The last line of the song reinforces this religious theme, as the singer suggests they will be going to heaven in a "ground piece shell" or essentially through the power of their own will or spiritual strength.

Line by Line Meaning

Have a little song, won't take long
I have a song that is short and won't take long to sing

Sing it right, once or twice
Sing it correctly, only one or two times

Oh lordy me, didn't I shake sugaree
Expressing surprise at the situation, where everything is pawned

Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything that I own is pawned

Pawn my watch, pawn my chain
I had to pawn my watch and my chain

Pawn everything that was in my name
Pawning everything under my name

Pawn my bucket, horse and cot
Pawning everything, even the bucket, horse, and cot

Pawn everything that was on my lot
Pawning everything on my land

Pawn my chair, pawn my bed
Pawning my furniture, even the chair and the bed

Ain't got nowhere to lay my head
Doesn't have a place to lay down and rest

Pawn my tobacco, pawn my pipe
Pawning my tobacco and pipe

Pawn everything that was in my sight
Pawning everything that I could see

Have a little secret, I ain't gonna tell
I have a secret that I won't reveal

I'm going to heaven in a ground piece shell
I am going to heaven in a casket

Pawn my farm, pawn my plow
Pawning my farm and plow

Pawn everything even pawn my old cow
Pawning everything, including my old cow

Pawn my hat, pawn my shoes
Pawning my hat and shoes

Pawn everything that I could use
Pawning everything that I could have used

Chew my tobacco, spit my juice
Chewing tobacco and spitting juice

We raise cane but it ain't a bit of use
We are causing trouble, but it's not doing any good

Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything that I own is pawned

Contributed by Sydney W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sarahd3947

7y↑176

Have a little song
Won't take long
Sing it right
Once or twice

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my watch
Pawn my chain
Pawn everything that was in my name

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn by buggy
Horse and cart
Pawn everything that was on my lot

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my chair
Pawn my bed
Ain't got nowhere to lay my head

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my tobacco
Pawn my pipe
Pawned everything that was in my sight

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Have a little secret
I ain't gonna tell
I'm going to heaven in a brown pea shell

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my farm
Pawn my plough
Pawned everything, even pawned my old cow

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Pawn my hat
Pawn my shoes
Pawned everything that I could use

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Have a little secret
I ain't gonna tell
I'm goin' to heaven and I ain't goin' no...

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

Chew my tobacco
Spit my juice
We raise cain but it ain't a bit 'a use

Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned

All comments from YouTube:

@JonDMA

9y↑852

this is Elizabeth on guitar with her 12 yr old granddaughter singing. This song is bliss.

@MaiBLarsen

8y↑21

Its AWESOMEEEE!!

@melaniemoon4463

7y↑5

JonDMA I didn't know That!!! Me and my kids sing this!! X

@residual_soap

7y↑4

Elizabeth died tho

@deschutesmaple4520

7y↑29

@JonDMA - not so sure if this song is meant to be blissful. The theme is 'I pawned all my belongings'. It's a hard times song about how life sucks for black peeps in USA back then (and of course now).

@bernarddover1442

7y↑2

bullshit its not a relation

27 More Replies...

@TheAzerbijian

5y↑112

The phrase 'shake sugaree' "means having a good time and is related to throwing sugar on the floor and then dancing on it, producing a percussive sound when the feet move on the sugared floor" I don’t take it literally. The dance of life. ??? ☺️❤️🙏

@macfunkey

5y↑1

It could also refer to 'the secret'. The 'secret' links between European and African Americans with the Native Americans, in particular perhaps the obscure Shoccaree tribe? https://www.quora.com/What-does-the-lyric-didnt-we-shake-up-sugaree-mean

@TheAzerbijian

5y↑9

From Pancocojams.blogspot 2013; Although "Shake Sugaree" was originally sung by a twelve year old, I believe that its lyrics are written in the voice of an older person who is looking back on her or his life, reminiscing about the hardships of that life, but still saying "I had some real good times".

It's that sad but still upbeat feeling that this song conveys which makes it so appealing to many people, including me.

I sort of take the song as Elizabeth Cotton looking back over her life but then from what I read her grandchildren helped compose it. And then I usually find the deeper meaning (for me) of a song. At any rate, it’s a delightful song isn’t it?

@TheAzerbijian

5y↑1

Andy Macdonald Yep. Genetically, culturally and beautifully blended.

@VaultWeasel

@@macfunkey The song means that she grew up realizing being adult means working and she wishes she could go back in a time where she could be a child again innocent and sweet. As we all were until we reached our reality of debt, bills, and responsibilities.

@Stonecrow25

2y↑5

Shake it; shake it sugaree, just don’t tell ‘em you know me

7 More Replies...

@_Jackkv4

1y↑25

Beautifully written, and gorgeously sung by a voice of an angel

@raymondmassey1

10y↑254

Song was written as a bedtime activity by Elizabeth and her grandchildren. The vocal is by 12 year old granddaughter Brenda Evans and recorded by Mike Seeger.

@hippiecat36

10y↑7

thank you. that should be in the description...

@paulharris8551

10y↑3

Are you certain that the vocal is by the 12 year old. I thought the voice was very child-like for an elderly person but there are also some aspects of the voice suggestive of an older person.

@raymondmassey1

10y↑10

paul harris All the research I have done says it is 12 year old Brenda Evans. Excerpt from Mouth Full Of Pennies blog: song for today is taken from Cotten’s second album for Folkways Records, 1967’s Shake Sugaree. Featuring Cotten’s original melody on guitar, and vocals handled by her twelve year-old granddaughter, Brenda Evans—the odd, nursery-rhyme-like title track’s lyrics were created by Brenda herself, along with her brother Johnny and her two cousins Sue and Wendy. Within the liner notes Cotten states that “the first verse, my eldest great grandson, he made that himself, and from that each child would say a word and add to it. To tell the truth, I don’t know what got it started, but it must have been something said or something done.”
https://amouthfulofpennies.wordpress.com/tag/brenda-evans/

@paulharris8551

10y↑3

I guess you're right about the singing. Sadly, because I thought it was cool that the old lady had such a young voice. As for the writing, doesn't granny get any credit at all? Doncha think she might have 'coached' the kiddies as they contributed words? The lyrics are great anyway. What a wonderful song!

@jktunney

10y↑2

paul harris although it's by a youngin it does have touches of lidda

14 More Replies...

@RespiratoryDrive-vy9ih

4y↑61

The way her granddaughter says 'Lordy" just melts my heart.

@dwightmaciv4789

4y↑1

Lord a me

@jimijamesc1434

Yesssss yes indeed!!!!

@godsconvict97317

3y↑1

Her voice is what makes this song gold...no other voice works for me. wouldn't of listened again if it wasn't a masterpiece

@VintagebyMitzi

4y↑95

What an angelic voice. They took everything away from us our freedom but they couldn’t take away our ability to sing make music and find happiness despite all the suffering.

@djohnson2571

3y↑3

AMEN!!!!!!

@liecht

3y↑43

Elizabeth Cotten is one of those exceptional individuals wich happens few times in every century.She is a great musician,a natural born one,so she deserves the most respect from all if us.Her genius will shine on forever. I salute you Elizabeth Cotten a constant source of inspiration and a healing power of mother nature.

@davidkelley4111

5y↑59

This makes your heart weep and sing at the same time!

@mariapiapace9495

12w↑1

I just learned today about Elizabeth Cotten's unique guitary playing style, she's amazing!

@sonyahannah

7y↑55

Now THIS is genuine folk music!

@stephensmith799

4y↑14

Can't listen without involuntary tears.

@JustCallMe

11y↑25

This song...on repeat...forever... What a gorgeous intoxicating voice.

@DailySource

Yes what an amazing voice

@dejaliloquy

40w↑5

This song melts me 😢

@ignatiusdemonseed

8y↑63

what a voice. what a song. what a woman. thank you, Elizabeth!

@jeanmarieallard5533

14w↑2

I'm french and as most of french people i don't understand the lyrics but every time i hear this song i feel happy and moved by the voice, and the beauty of a reslly popular song. folk song at it's best. Thank you Lady Elizabeth and her grand daughter for this too short moment of happiness and emotion.

@lynetteberg4807

2y↑11

I keep coming back to this song. I wish Elizabeth could see how admired and wonderful her songs effect us. She is so gentle

@davidkelley4111

5y↑22

Vocal heaven from a 12 year old! Vocal and guitar heaven! Thank you!!!

@BillyDBunny

8y↑94

So heart breaking reading about her early life, and yet here is perseverance. Unbelievable talent, what a person. I really need to quit bitching about how unlucky I am, Ha ha!

@superawesomezebra13

11y↑46

this song is really pretty.

@VintagebyMitzi

4y↑16

What a beautiful melody. This songs conjure up so much emotions. To think of the time in which Elizabeth grew up in America to keep your dignity and hope despite living with such hate and division.

@gothangel7176

2y↑8

Shantytown in Bioshock infinite

@latiawill8393

4y↑6

Troop zero brought me here been listening for a few months ...can’t get enough❤️

@mazmo2005

6y↑27

Rhiannon Giddens brought me here. Thank you Rhiannon Giddens.

@Sr.Nielsen

She algo brought me 😊

@guitarslinger7214

4y↑7

Man this is some soul touchin stuff..thank you Elizabeth for sharing with the world your incredible timeless gift of song....

@stephenvelez9710

9y↑14

this is beautiful. elizabeth plays so pretty.

@ldmoses

5y↑6

Heard this on Troop Zero, came here to listen again ❤

@Prettyredflames

5y↑21

This song is actually the story of my life.

Literally ‘everything I got is done and pawned’

@BoopShooBee

But oh Lordy me didn't you shake P T

@user-mn9pz9fi8c

30w

just got my guitar out of the pwn shop. tools are still there!.... life is good.

@cadgeduende6677

43w↑11

I were on a freight train once upon a mountain and i sware i heard this woman singing this song to me. Perhaps it were just the wind...

@jeffj9322

3y↑3

Remembering Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten born on January 5, 1893. She was an American blues and folk musician, singer, and songwriter. A self-taught left-handed guitarist, Cotten developed her own original style. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cotten

@kevinpotts123

10y↑61

Rhiannon Giddens just released her cover of this song don't this week on get new album Tomorrow Is My Turn. If this kind of music is your cup of tea, you should check it out and anything she previously did with the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
As an aside, if you ever get a chance to see her perform live, do it without hesitation. She is by far and away the absolute best live performer I have ever seen.

@JBCo2012

9y↑3

Folks you can trust every word Kevin Potts just uttered! Rhiannon Giddens is proudly and triumphantly carrying on the tradition started by Elizabeth Cotten and Odetta etc. and making Everybody who ever heard her Smile Brightly. Btw this is the great Elizabeth Cotten's granddaughter singing this tune! This is SIMPLY SUBLIME! And so was Elizabeth Cotten btw!
I highly recommend a best of collection I got on CD a few years back.

@bzfgt1

MusicMC1 Yeah, I thought this sounded a little shinier than the labeling would suggest. Who is it singing?

@kevinpotts123

9y↑2

bzfgt bzfgt it's Elizabeth Cotten's granddaughter. I think this originated as a goodnight tune that they all added in verses on ( her grandchildren and her) but I could be mistaken.

@netmortube

9y↑1

Kevin Potts Yes we just saw the Chocolate Drops wtih RG in San Francisco. She - and they - are amazing.

@kevinpotts123

9y↑1

netmortube I had the good fortune to see them at a bluegrass festival at a little town on the Ohio river in Indiana about 5 years or so ago. It was. without a doubt, the best live performance I've ever seen in my life and I'm a concert goer from back in the early 80's.

3 More Replies...

@stonehand49

8y↑6

listeningwith my one year old grand baby...she Loves it like me. this is talent.

@Franciscasieri

Now 6 years old

@ninjaa54

11y↑221

Bioshock Infinite made me look this song up, as I was passing the part of the game where the kids are singing it I turned around and went back and stayed there for about 10 mins just to hear this song because I thought it was so beautiful :)

@johnshields8341

10y↑1

***** mine too

@goodkawz

10y↑3

Robert Hunter and Grateful dead took me here with "Sugaree annotated". Thank you mr Hunter!

@PetroniusArbiter2

9y↑2

+goodkawz Shake it up now, Sugaree, I'll meet you at the jubilee. And if that jubilee don't come, maybe I'll meet you on the run.

@PolarLP

8y↑2

ninjaa54 - i stand by the girl 30minutes

@ninjaa54

8y↑3

I stayed for like 10 or 15 mins lol

9 More Replies...

@0otee

4y↑2

Great Elizabeth guitar and her granddaughter sings! 🌺🌻❤️🌹👌Lovely

@BLACK1HAIRCHIC

6y↑12

Hey there y'all! I actually heard this song in the beginning of the movie Colossal starring Anne Hathaway. I was immediately drawn to it! I'm so happy that music like this still exists and is appreciated by generations that came after. Speaks to my soul.💞

@bumpposhepherd9458

8y↑5

what an anthem for our times!

@wojtekhappywarrior1

5y↑10

I love her voice. It is bliss

@paulharris8551

10y↑34

She has a lovely voice like a teenaged girl. So gentle. Bless her soul.

@stephengrimes5551

10y↑24

this was sang by her 12 year old daughter (I don't mean to be rude though)

@johan_the_monster

4y↑17

@@stephengrimes5551 granddaughter,she didn't have a kid at 62 years old.

@quill444

4y↑18

Brenda Evans is actually Elizabeth's GREAT Grand Daughter! She no longer sings, but as of 2016 at age 63, she still designs jewelry ( ref Comments at: https://youtu.be/PXxgeNoDv6o ) - j q t -

@johan_the_monster

4y↑6

@@quill444 thanks for the clarification

@gesitube

10y↑9

most beautiful song ever

@JBCo2012

I don't know about ever but it's DEFINITELY right up there. The Great Legendary just retired Philly DJ Gene Shay used to play this tune a lot over the years! That was how I first heard it.

@johnfargher99

8y↑40

Voice of an angel.

@WONDERFUL99942

46w

Still listening, the feeling this song gives me I can’t put in words. I close my eyes & listen to that beautiful voice & it feels like I’m with her when her granddaughter was singing. The lyrics describe how their life was way back then & I can see it, it feels like I’m there. Powerful song.

@alexhyman8118

11y↑29

For the record, I DID find this through Bioshock, but I think it's amazing and I'm grateful to have discovered Mrs. Cotton.

@carlesalguer8158

7y↑3

Hermosas canciones de una hermosa dama .

@DanielTowersWeirDskinS

7y↑49

Sadness, misery, strength, truth and beauty.

@VintagebyMitzi

4y↑1

Yes so much to overcome, and keep hope alive.

@douglasshane7473

10y↑32

Wonderful song and, yes, a great lullaby for kiddliwinks. BTW: I believe that's Ms. Cotten's granddaughter singing the lyrics; heard them perform it together at Philadelphia Folk Festival in the early 1980s.

@TheLisergicQueen

10y↑3

Such a talented granddaugher i'd say!! There must be some damn good genes in that family!! :D

@JBCo2012

9y↑1

WOW Douglas Shane they actually performed this CLASSIC at the Philly Folk Fest as recently as the early 1980's. How could I have missed that? Lol I hope it was videotaped or at least recorded for posterity(including us-lol).

@dperry9406

6y↑1

Thats one heck of a bucketlister to scratch off right there. Lucky you. Very cool 😎

@SweetSpringFarmer1222

5y↑1

@@JBCo2012 Philly Folk Fest usually recorded all the performances for host Gene Shay's folk program on local radio. I believe that there's also some CD sets available. Google away!

@user-mn9pz9fi8c

30w

you said "kiddliwinks" i love that. thanks man.

@kungfuflickfanatic8902

5y↑4

That's the blues ladies and gentlemen..I have never stopped and turn around just to listen to this while on my mission listen to the sadness in the voice I wish you could tip the kids

@rotcod2886

10y↑32

The Great, Great, Grateful Dead took me to Ms. Cotten's version of Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, then youtube recommended this lovely gem to me.

@JBCo2012

9y↑1

Thanks for hipping me to that fact. I had no idea or maybe just forgotten that Elizabeth did GDTRFB. I love the Dead's versions obviously but I also love Delaney&Bonnie's Sublime version!

@smartalek180

7y↑4

Every now and again, YT's algorithms get one right.
It's great when they do -- but you do sometimes have to winnow an awful lot of chaff to get to the wheat.
Patience is a virtue.

@user-qt5eh9wb7g

6y↑1

cotten.

@mikehawkertz9237

Very beautiful

@michaelrainwater6942

6y↑1

what a long strange trip it is...love Jerry and his respect of folk artists....

1 More Replies...

@rayminthecat

6y↑4

Walk the earth barefoot to let it's energy flow through you and touch a tree. To hear this song makes energy flow into my soul.

@user-mn9pz9fi8c

30w

hello. ive been "barefoot ed" all my life, and im certain that somehow, my lifelong loathing of footwear has somehow prolonged my life just a little bit. dont know why, but im sure of it. ive read that it is a real thing, and its called "grounding"

@JOLENE2008

5y↑3

i love everything about this song hugs hugs!

@sylvielopez2686

5y↑3

Tank you very much for upload this beautiful voice en words, merci beaucoup

@jimcarney5133

11y↑3

Amazing woman...amazing musician....amazing guitar stylist !!

@danises1544

26w↑1

Now my life is better that I’ve heard this song.

@thedeathwobblechannel6539

47w↑2

I often wonder if the best of Africa has ended up in America when it comes to art and music. Rich or poor, or in between, it shines through.

@dwightmaciv4789

4y↑1

Ive been hearing this song all around me all my life mrs cotton ur a nc LEGEND we one of a kind north Carolina's the best state

@dwightmaciv4789

Im Randolph county near chapel hill were u was born r.i.p fly high

@dwightmaciv4789

4y↑1

Your granddaughter brenda sang this song so good

@rational-public-discourse

32w

In my discovery of old blues, I stumbled upon the is sweet little song even, and it's just beautiful. I am not even sure what it means, but I have a hard time not having me eyes all watery when I listen to it. As for the meaning, hmmm, I would like to take a crack at it. Since the verse goes "a whole lot of me, did not shake sugaree," it is a way of saying that despite losing all of these things, everything I have, I am not going to go in such despair that I am going to end my life. I have a hunch that sugaree was a ritual dance of an indigenous people, or perhaps the name of the indigenous people who performed the dance, that was done at funeral ceremonies. A whole lot of me, did not shake sugaree.

@dr.bitchcraft5457

5y↑4

I first heard this in Bioshock Infinite around 5-6 years ago. I love it so much. I just finished transcribing for a song analysis project

@user-mn9pz9fi8c

30w

guitar notation? id love to see that......

@guit100

10y↑28

A pearl I wear as a bid on my acoustic musical chain ever since I heard 40 ys ago.

@MRJOEYBROOKLYN

8y↑1

thats a hard song to play, nice!

@trindinwright6024

8y↑5

+GOD SEZ FUC U she's pawning all her worldly possessions getting ready for heaven. nothing of this world matters to her anymore

@maruclout6757

What language is that

@BLACK1HAIRCHIC

❤

@WhatEver-wr7gp

9y↑3

This is her 12 year old granddaughter on vocals I think. But what a national treasure Ms Cotten is.

@umartra7452

I first heard this beautiful song on A Love Song which is a great down to Earth movie. I've been trying to find it for a while and decided to capture the song credits and it worked. Worth the long search! A memorable song sung by a beautiful voice. I now have found two for this movie now onto the next as all the songs were great and blended with the movie.

@sarahd3947

7y↑176

@valentinemichaelsmith8219

5y↑6

This song takes it to the next level!!

@omahawarrior1

4y↑1

ground pea like a peanut shell*

@mediaesc

🧟‍♂️🕍

@robfalgiano

4y↑3

There’s a beautiful songwriting lesson here of showing as opposed to telling. It’s all there in the simple facts. It’s a good hurt.

@DMBGirl1234

4y↑1

Ty for the lyrics 💗

2 More Replies...

@williampeery3834

5y↑2

Fantastic! Loved it on first listen.

@samuelcox6408

7y↑3

Heard this song on WMMR in the 70's. I finally found out who sang it in 1990!

@thovex

philly baby! wmmr is still a great station!

@coco6941

10y↑21

unbelievable song

@TheLisergicQueen

10y↑6

At first i was a bit "shocked" :D to hear such a young voice in contrast to the vid pictures of her...i thought that must had been sung when she was way more younger...then i found out its her granddaugher singing...sweet melody, eh!?? :)

@dylanbaker7034

Lisergic Queen I think it was actually her great-granddaughter Brenda Evans who did the vocals. Beautiful voice I wonder if she went on to have a music career of her own.

@ladyiris77

3y↑2

This is so Beautiful and Heartbreaking

@stevechavis8569

4y↑1

I can so relate to this beautiful song

@TaganOrdth

11y↑1

Such a great song...

@donaldperetin4636

6y↑1

such a beautiful song

@missgoldie6257

4y↑1

Oh, that voice......SO sweet. Thanks.

@Funktastic_Ed

11y↑8

The musical work on Bioshock Infinite is "State of the Art" even the reworked versions of comtemporary hits, in a old fashion

@Guiiiiiiiiiiperez

7y↑2

Her voice is like warm butter

@ty_-je8wf

3y↑3

Bioshock infinites incorporation of this song directly into the game and it's story was fudging fantastic

@ThePrecipice66

10y↑242

And people say video games don't teach you anything.....

@LiberatedGuardian

9y↑4

ThePrecipice66 I have six years old.

@plentyotool8146

8y↑3

in wich game this song was featured?

@FilthAndTheFury420

8y↑15

Plenty O'Tool bioshock infinite. I heard it first else where but I find it pretty cool that its on there.

@larrybarnhill572

7y↑2

for real ?!?

@MRJOEYBROOKLYN

7y↑8

FUCK U THEPRECIPICE66 I DO NOT PLAY VIDEOS GAMES YOU SNOB I GREW UP LISTENING TO ELIZABETH COTTON

12 More Replies...

@smartalek180

7y↑3

This is brilliance.
Thank you for giving it the real hifi treatment it demands.
Wish every uploader had the same respect.
Cheers

@dwightmaciv4789

4y↑1

Lord ah me whatba great song

@rlo829

What a wonderful gift for your heart! Thanks Elizabeth.

@stepcher

6y↑4

thanks for putting this on. SC

@TheAngelrays

7y↑2

her voice is so sweet!

@moonoggin

3y↑2

I dreamed of a shining star and it was attached to this song =)

@stonesfan413

7y↑1

Beautiful song

@collincade1912

4y↑1

Got lucky and stumbled on this. Shared with everyone I know. Love this

@gustavoavila1982

11y↑2

Thank you for uploading this, is beautiful.

@nikkid999

Only just got onto this song...and I couldn't love it anymore if I tried! <3

@MDeezy42069

3y↑2

Great song. Jerry Garcia brought me here!

@mrchiledonut

11y↑70

I'm surprised they took the exact song, without changing it, in Bioshock Infinite. That's cool.

@deaner1722

10y↑2

I knew I knew this from somewhere... isn't it just randomly playing when u walk by someone or a store in the game? I can't remember. but I do remember coming across this song in the game and listening to it over and over again....

@mrchiledonut

10y↑3

Yeah, it's one of the children singing in the Finkton shantytown, and another is playing guitar.

@deaner1722

10y↑1

cool, thanks .. I knew I heard somewhere before.. I love folk and bluegrass music. so I remember coming across it in the game and standing there for a good twenty minutes just listening to it play over and over.....
cool thanks man, that's a random memory to bring up. appreciate it..

@geraldbarlow1367

5y↑3

Don't get much better than this, only the truth about this world and other feeling straight from the heart.

@FriendlyMexican2005

1y↑2

Shantytown vibes!

@michaelrainwater6942

I listen to this song and then come across it again from time to time spontaneous, then I listen, then again...and again..on repeat for maybe 30 mins at least..lord its beautiful....plus when I wake and drink coffee and get ready for work I will hmm it.....this is potion for life...depth and beauty ...thank you - Your my shot of love when i need it :)...yay

@reneeford8417

6y↑2

Her great-granddaughter singing here, became a professional singer,was brought to Motown where she was backup for Diana Ross, the Temptations and others before becoming a founding member of Undisputed Truth (“Smiling Faces Sometimes”). BJ Brenda Joyce Evans is her name and she continues to perform.

@CarolynSmithMoorman

6y↑2

Love this! Thank you for posting!

@deborah4384

I love this song!💗

@J8T369

7y↑3

Absolutely gorgeous.

@MrBangindrums

Super sad song. Beautiful.. Rise up my friends!, don't let this be you!

@user-mn9pz9fi8c

30w

it worked for libba. without her having had to live this life, we would not have the beauty of her songs. light is where you find it. thank you for your light, ms cotton

@stevengrundy4720

Songs with a tale or a story to make ya think, a wise foolishtale, the kids are missing out so much,

@bradleyhagman3363

8y↑3

So amazing, everything and everyone involved

@ManuelRCrespo

Very beautiful song. Fermosa canción.

@ninasvocalcoach8398

2y↑1

It's a song to God, all earthly possessions have been sold, reminiscing on their life satisfied with their dance through it, their 'secret' they say immediately that they aren't going to and then don't say hell. Most pop culture songs about longing and love lost are odes to Satan. Truly read the lyrics of the songs you listen to. Dave McGowans book on Laurel Canyon is enlightening on the 60s music scene. Love to all who read this.

@ninasvocalcoach8398

And I love she had her granddaughter sing it, we are all God's children no matter how old we get.

@markpresson

6y↑1

Heard about this on a Patreon Guitar forum and what a pleasure, this is the good stuff!

@user-mn9pz9fi8c

30w

this is, indeed, the good stuff.

@eamon5468

Where I'm from we have xpn and folk fests but it was nice to hear this in bioshock, the franchise did so well with soundtrack and sound design.

@BarbaraPietersehappysnapper

5y↑7

So sweet and beautiful.

@inlandviews

5y↑3

Oh, how beautifully done

@matthewcote4577

11y↑6

According to Bob Dylan on "Theme Time Radio Hour" - shaking sugaree was shaking sugar on the dance floor to improve dancing conditions. (I'm citing this from memory, so I could be mistaken.)