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211:. Even as many "Liza Jane" variants therefore appeared in nineteenth century and early twentieth century popular culture, Gutstein attributes their ultimate origins as being the name Liza Jane "affixed to 'snotches' of folk melodies or as several 'one-verse songs' among enslaved people on plantations in several states." This may account for the many different titles (such as "Little Liza Jane" and "Goodbye Liza Jane") as well as a wide variety of lyrics.
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325:. While the melody is not preserved in the written interview, the lyrics and their rhythm strongly suggest a relationship to the Culbertson and de Lachau lyrics published decades later. Thurston is one of ten women and men to document "Liza Jane" songs in their Works Progress Administration interviews, referring to a wide variety of lyrics and dance traditions, including stealing partners ring games. In 1919, musicologist
333:, now Hampton University. As part of the game, couples would dance in a circle, with an extra man in the middle. The extra man would "steal a partner" from one of the couples thereby forcing the man without a dance partner to assume the spot in the center of the circle, and so on, as the process repeated.
290:. Gutstein indicates that the versions of "Goodbye Liza Jane" that circulated later in the 20th century and those that are still popular today -- including titles such as "Black Them Boots," "Going Down to Cairo," and "Charlotte Town" -- descend from late nineteenth century / early twentieth century
345:, as well as numerous other sources. Note that some records (e.g. Silas Leachman's song "Whoa Dar Mule" and Henry “Ragtime” Thomas’s song “Run, Mollie, Run”) are considered to be part of the “Liza Jane” family as they contain significant “Liza Jane” content.
191:—most notably an early version of "Goodbye Liza Jane," which was published as sheet music by bandleader Eddie Fox in 1871. However, the best-known variant "Little Liza Jane" likely remained fixed in
282:
published sheet music in 1903 entitled "Goodbye, Eliza Jane." This version of the song became a "hit" through sheet music sales and cylinder recordings by the likes of Bob
Roberts,
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180:, some "Liza Jane" songs likely "leaked out" from the folk repertoire of enslaved people and were adopted by regiments from both sides of the war, including the 43rd
313:
As noted, the song's origins go back to the
Antebellum South. Lucy Thurston remembered a song with the refrain "Ohoooooooo lil Liza, lil Liza Jane" being sung by
195:
until a variety of writers and performers popularized the melody and certain lyrics in the early 20th century; these individuals would include the writer
113:, many "Liza Jane" variants have enjoyed "big audience" moments throughout American history. For instance, "Li'l Liza Jane" became a sensation in the
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302:. In addition to Wills, many musicians recorded the play party version (i.e., the nonracial version) of "Goodbye Liza Jane" including
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tradition, are nonracial in character, and do not share anything with minstrelsy versions except for the title. Notably, a version by
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219:"Li'l Liza Jane" was first published as lyrics (without notated music) in 1904 by Anne Virginia Culbertson as part of her book
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documented a stealing partners version of "Little Liza Jane" that had been popular for decades among students at
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Regiment, the 23rd North
Carolina Regiment (known as the Pee Dee Guards), and the Indiana 67th Regiment.
100:. Numerous scholars and musicologists have written about the song, and it is one of the standards of the
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indicates that "Little Liza Jane" and "a suite of closely related folk songs likely originated among
825:(1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 142, 151, 153, 155.
223:. A different version of the song was published as sheet music in 1916 by Sherman, Clay & Co of
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era when a version was placed in a songbook given to all
American servicemen and again in 1960 when
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246:) and in Harry Belafonte's widely watched television special, they also appeared in the early
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925:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 164, 172, 176, 183–184, 284.
800:(1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 59–61.
775:(1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 28–32.
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750:(1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. pp. 8–14.
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with Johnny Dunn’s
Original Jazz Hounds. “Vampin’ Liza Jane.” Columbia A3749, 1921.
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850:(1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. p. 6.
725:(1st ed.). Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. p. 3.
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and is closely related to a suite of other songs with similar titles, including
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Discographic information for these recordings can be found in
Gutstein’s book
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675:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 156, 180–185.
634:"Li'l Liza Jane" is also the subject of a forthcoming documentary film,
314:
187:
After the war concluded, some "Liza Jane" variants were popularized in
390:& His Virginia Reelers. “Good-bye, Liza Jane.” OKeh 45049, 1926.
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In addition to "Liza Jane" songs appearing in a World War I songbook (
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and His Texas
Playboys. “Goodbye, Liza Jane.” Columbia 20555, 1942.
1076:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 286–289.
975:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 166–170.
950:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 110–114.
900:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 150–154.
875:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 142–143.
700:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 142–144.
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and the
Peerless Quartet. “Li’l Liza Jane.” Columbia A-2622, 1918.
369:
Famous Jazz Band. “Li’l Liza Jane—One Step.” Victor 18394, 1917.
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Drawing on minstrelsy versions of the
Goodbye Liza Jane" variant,
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1051:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 87–90.
1026:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 10–14.
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and His Rhythm Aces. “Little Liza Jane.” Ace
Records 521, 1956.
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1126:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. p. 119.
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1101:(1st ed.). University Press of Mississippi. p. 70.
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tradition, where it thrives today. According to a 2023 book,
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New Orleans’ Sweet Emma And Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band
363:. “Goodbye Eliza Jane.” Victor matrix A-594, B-594, 1903.
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was performed by Wills and his bandmates in the 1945 film
88:, as well as appearing in numerous other genres including
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by Natalie Curtis Burlin, Schirmer, 1919, pages 158-161
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Songs in the "Liza Jane" family have become perennial
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Selected list of recordings (in chronological order)
384:The Stanley Trio “Whoa! Mule.” OKeh 40271, 1924.
1198:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
1124:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
1099:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
1074:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
1049:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
1024:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
973:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
948:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
923:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
898:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
873:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
848:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
823:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
798:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
773:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
748:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
723:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
698:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
673:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
110:Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane
452:, and Rev. Larry Eisenberg. “Goodbye Liza Jane.”
520:. “Charlotte Town.” Elektra EKSN 45007-A, 1963.
396:. “Miss ‘Liza Poor Gal.” Victor 21141, 1927.
263:radio show, and hit televisions series such as
176:in establishing the song's origins. During the
998:"WPA Slave Narratives: Lucy Thurston Age 101"
8:
585:. “Steal Miss Liza.” Manticore 7007, 1975.
402:. “Run, Mollie, Run.” Vocalion 1141, 1927.
351:. “The Laughing Coon.” Edison 4005, 1898.
34:1916 sheet music cover, with inset photo of
1213:Li'l Liza Jane - The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
442:. “Lil’ Liza Jane.” Imperial AI 103, 1959.
199:, the composer Ada de Lachau, the actress
169:." Gutstein cites ten narratives from the
165:during celebratory dances or 'frolics' on
145:as a "dialect song" in 1905. In his book,
1223:Relation between Lil' Liza Jane and Fanga
579:. Rebel Records SLP 1530 REB-1530, 1974.
619:. Smithsonian Folkways SFW 45063, 2006.
1253:Songs about fictional female characters
1201:(University Press of Mississippi, 2023)
663:
526:. “Liza Jane (God’s Unchanging Hand.)”
357:. “Whoa Dar Mule.” Victor A-801, 1901.
1148:"Li'l Liza Jane: A Movie About A Song"
638:, featuring the harmonica playing of
7:
636:Li'l Liza Jane: A Movie About a Song
231:entertainment during the 1916-1917
121:performed a version as part of his
1278:Huey "Piano" Smith songs
547:. Preservation Hall VPS 2, 1964.
533:Davie Jones with the King Bees. “
244:Songs of Soldiers and Sailors U.S.
25:
626:. Jalopy Records JR-009, 2021.
599:Allison Krauss and Union Station
1004:. Works Progress Administration
652:List of pre-1920 jazz standards
537:.” Vocalion Pop V.9221, 1964.
1186:Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band
1:
1176:Come Out of the Kitchen, ibdb
642:, and contextual interviews.
430:. “Possum Up A Simmon Tree.”
171:Works Progress Administration
27:Song dating back to the 1910s
1243:American country music songs
1002:Mississippi Slave Narratives
595:. Intermedia QS-5031, 1982.
530:. Piedmont PLP 13157, 1963.
182:United States Colored Troops
541:Preservation Hall Jazz Band
456:. Folkways FC 7604, 1959.
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174:Slave Narrative Collection
76:and tunes with lyrics) in
1181:Goodbye, Liza Jane (1871)
622:Nora Brown. “Liza Jane.”
416:Leadbelly’s Last Sessions
300:Blazing the Western Trail
225:San Francisco, California
1263:Dixieland jazz standards
557:.” Atco 45-6625, 1964.
514:. Impulse! A-34, 1962.
197:Anne Virginia Culbertson
141:Lyrics published in the
607:. Rounder 0365, 1997.
490:Jamie JLP 3019, 1961.
480:. Argo LPS 665, 1960.
468:. Colpix CP-412, 1960.
436:. Capitol T-891, 1957.
237:Come Out of the Kitchen
53:that dates back to the
1122:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
1097:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
1072:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
1047:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
1022:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
971:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
946:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
921:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
896:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
871:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
846:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
821:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
796:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
771:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
746:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
721:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
696:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
671:Gutstein, Dan (2023).
616:You Are My Little Bird
613:. “Little Liza Jane.”
601:. “Little Liza Jane.”
563:. “Little Liza Jane.”
543:. “Little Liza Jane.”
502:. Warner Bros. 1961.
465:Nina Simone at Newport
462:. “Little Liza Jane.”
400:Henry “Ragtime” Thomas
265:The Andy Griffith Show
261:Fibber McGee and Molly
150:
39:
524:Mississippi John Hurt
454:American Play Parties
327:Natalie Curtis Burlin
259:cartoon, the popular
189:burnt cork minstrelsy
140:
33:
1258:1910s jazz standards
528:Folk Songs and Blues
496:. “Li’l Liza Jane.”
488:Girls! Girls! Girls!
474:. “Li’l Liza Jane.”
388:Fiddlin’ John Carson
319:Covington, Louisiana
167:southern plantations
62:"Goodbye Liza Jane,"
59:"Oh! Liza Poor Gal,"
1268:Western swing songs
1248:American folk songs
624:Sidetrack My Engine
577:A Man and His Music
569:. Atco 7006, 1972.
551:Levon and the Hawks
418:. Folkways, 1953.
310:, and Nora Brown.
125:television special
611:Elizabeth Mitchell
593:Out in the Country
575:. “Rocky Island.”
422:Huey “Piano” Smith
323:American Civil War
215:In popular culture
151:
66:"Steal Miss Liza."
47:"Little Liza Jane"
40:
508:. “Go Lil Liza.”
349:George W. Johnson
331:Hampton Institute
16:(Redirected from
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1191:Negro Folk-Songs
1171:1916 sheet music
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486:. “Big ‘Liza.”
414:. “Liza Jane.”
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518:Judy Henske
494:Bing Crosby
460:Nina Simone
450:Mike Seeger
446:Pete Seeger
440:Fats Domino
321:before the
308:Pete Seeger
304:Judy Henske
255:, an early
205:Earl Fuller
127:New York 19
115:World War I
102:New Orleans
1238:1916 songs
1232:Categories
1165:References
1153:2018-10-22
1008:2015-01-27
589:Doc Watson
484:Duane Eddy
412:Lead Belly
292:play party
157:, scholar
105:brass band
82:folk music
535:Liza Jane
433:Back Home
406:Bob Wills
296:Bob Wills
278:composer
229:entr'acte
178:Civil War
86:bluegrass
72:(as both
70:standards
646:See also
561:Dr. John
343:Poor Gal
269:Gunsmoke
252:Coquette
233:Broadway
155:Poor Gal
147:Poor Gal
1218:YouTube
133:Origins
98:R&B
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658:Notes
235:show
94:blues
49:is a
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267:and
64:and
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