We'll look at the history of the song which is one of the most popular fiddle tunes. Here's a great version with lyrics:
Rasberry pie, huckleberry puddin',
Give it all away for to see Sally Goodin.
(Fiddle)
Looked to the hillside to see my Sally comin’
I thought to my soul I'll kill myself a-runnin'.
(Fiddle)
*Long ways to travel, the roads mighty muddy
I’m so drunk I can’t stand steady.
(Fiddle)
Rasberry pie, huckleberry puddin',
Give it all away for to see Sally Goodin.
(Fiddle)
Rasberry pie, huckleberry puddin',
Give it all away for to see Sally Goodin.
(Fiddle)
Well I love pie And I love puddin'
Crazy ‘bout the gal what they call Sally Goodin.
(Fiddle)
Long ways to travel, the road's mighty muddy
I’m so drunk I can’t stand steady.
(Fiddle)
Looked to the hillside to see my Sally comin’
I thought to my soul I'll kill myself a-runnin'.
(Fiddle)
Long ways to travel, the road's mighty muddy
I’m so drunk I can’t stand steady.
(Fiddle)
Looked to the hillside to see my Sally coming
I thought to my soul I'll kill myself a-runnin'.
(Fiddle)
*Forgets part of this verse, mumbled words
McMichen and Puckett's version is one that has lyrics. There are many solo fiddle versions and band versions.
DATE: Circa 1860’s by two sources; First recording 1922 Eck Robertson;
RECORDING INFO: Fiddlin' John Carson, "Sallie Goodman" (OKeh 40095-A, 1924); James Crase, "Sally Goodin" (on MMOKCD); Pickard Family, "Sally Goodin" (Regal 8810, 1929); Eck Robertson, "Sally Goodin" (Victor 18956, 1922); New Lost City Ramblers, "Sally Goodin" (on NLCR02) (NLCR16); Neil Morris & Charlie Everidge, "Sally Goodin" [instrumental w. dance calls] (on LomaxCD1707) Lee Ennis (Oklahoma County, Oklahoma) [Thede]; Kenner C Kartchner (Arizona) [Shumway]; Marion Yoders (fiddler and fifer from Greene County, Pa., 1961) [Bayard]; fiddler L.D. Snipes via Ray Knight (Lumpkin County, Georgia) [Rosenbaum]; Marcus Martin (western N.C.) [Phillips]; Major Franklin (Texas) [Phillips]; Clyde Davenport (Ky.) [Phillips]. Adam, 1928; No. 50. Bayard (Dance to the Fiddle), 1981; No. 273, pg. 229. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pgs. 246 & 247. Ford (Traditional Music in America), 1940; pg. 64 and 128 (discord version) [Ford also prints additional verses on page 419, and a dance of the same title on page 209]. Frets Magazine, "Byron Berline: The Fiddle," May 1980; pg. 60. Kaufman (Beginning Old Time Fiddle), 1977; pgs. 30 & 60. Lowinger (Bluegrass Fiddle), 1974; pgs. 13 & 33. Phillips, 1989{A}, pg. 37. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), 1994; pg. 210 (three versions). Rosenbaum (Folk Visions and Voices: Traditional Music and Song in North Georgia), 1989; pg. 210. Shumway (Frontier Fiddler), 1990; pg. 270 (mislabled as "Sally Johnson"). Sweet (Fifer’s Delight), 1965/1981; pg. 76. Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967; pg. 32-33. Arhoolie C-220, Eck Robertson (et al) – “Southern String Bands, Vol. 1 & 2.” Briar 4201, Scotty Stoneman, "Live in L.A." Caney Mountain Records CEP 210 (privately issued extended play LP), Lonnie Robertson (Mo.), c. 1965-66. County 744, Kenny Baker, "Dry and Dusty." County 733, Clark Kessinger (W.Va.) , "The Legend of Clark Kessinger." County 703, Bartow Riley, "Texas Hoedown." County 705, Sonny Miller, "Virginia Breakdown." County CD5515, Eck Robertson – “ (1998). Document DOCD-8011, The Kessinger Brothers (reissue). Document DOCD-8042, Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts (reissue). Flying Fish 102, New Lost City Ramblers, "20 Years/Concert Performances" (1978). Folkways FA 2397, New Lost City Ramblers, "Vol. 2" (also on "Twenty Years Concert Performances"). Folkways FA 2337, “Clark Kessinger Live at Union Grove.” Gennett 6733 (78 RPM), 1928, G.B. Grayson (east Tenn.). Gennett 7221 (78 RPM), Doc Roberts (Ky.). Heritage 048, Lowe Stokes , "Georgia Fiddle Bands" (Brandywine 1972). Musical Traditions MTCD321-2, Ted Boyd (et al) – “Far on the Mountains, Vols. 1 & 2” (2002). Old-Timey Records OT-101, Eck Robertson , "Old Time Southern Dance Music: The String Bands, Vol. 2" (appears as "Sallie Gooden"). Omac 1, Thomasson, Shorty, Morris, O'Conner, "A Texas Jam Session." Omac 2, Berline, Bush and O'Conner, "In Concert." Rounder 0044, "J.D. Crowe and the New South." Rounder 0073, The White Brothers, "Live in Sweden." Rounder 1027, Johnnie Lee Wills, "Tulsa Swing." Rounder 0099, Dan Crary, "Lady's Fancy." Rounder 0101, John Hickman, "Don't Mean Maybe.” Rounder CD-0388, Gene Goforth – “Emminence Breakdown” (1997). Rounder CD 0359, Skip Gorman - "Lonesome Prairie Love" (1996). Rounder Cd0278, Mike Seegar – “Solo—Old Time Country Music” (1991). Rounder C11565, Ricky Skaggs , "Rounder Fiddle." Sonyatone 201, Eck Robertson (West Texas) , "Master Fiddler." Tradition TLP 1007, Mrs. Edd Presnell , "Instumental Music of the Southern Appalachians" (1956). Victor 18956 (78 RPM), Eck Robertson (West Texas) {1922}.
Recordings/print of Sally Goodin from Folk Index:
Ford, Ira W. / Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1965/1940), p 64b
Ford, Ira W. / Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1965/1940), p128b
Ford, Ira W. / Traditional Music in America, Folklore Associates, Bk (1965/1940), p419
Cazden, Norman (ed.) / Book of Nonsense Songs, Crown, Sof (1961), p 97
Emrich, Duncan / Folklore on the American Land, Little, Brown, sof (1972), p557 [1930s]
Isaac, Burton / Folk Fiddle by Burton Isaac, Mel Bay, fol (1964), p15
Lomax, Alan / Folksongs of North America, Doubleday Dolphin, Sof (1975/1960), p236/#121
Brody, David (ed.) / Guitar Pickers Fakebook, Oak, Sof (1984), p127
Baber, Carrie. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume III, Humorous & Play-Party ...,
University of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p350/#544A [1922/09/04]
Baker, Kenny. Dry and Dusty, County 744, LP (1973), trk# A.06
Barbour, Freeland. Fire in the Hearth, REL REL 462, LP (1977), trk# B.05a (Sally Was a
Good 'un)
Berline, Byron. Phillips, Stacy; & Kenny Kosak / Bluegrass Fiddle Styles, Oak, fol (1978), p 55 [1967]
Blevins, Frank. Devil's Box, Devil's Box, Ser, 32/2, p18b(1998) [1931]
Blue River Boys. 2nd Florida Bluegrass and Old Time Music Championships, Sunny
Mountain EB 1003, LP (1975?), trk# B.07
Boyd, Ted. Appalachia, The Old Traditions, Home Made Music LP-001, LP (1983), trk#
B.05 [1979/08/05]
Brody, David. Brody, David (ed.) / Fiddler's Fakebook, Oak, Sof (1983), p247
Brower, Cecil (Cousin Cecil). Old Fashion Country Hoedown, Cumberland MGC 29500,
LP (196?), trk# A.03
Brower, Cecil; and his Square Dance Fiddlers. America's Favorite Square Dances, Smash
MGS 27015, LP (196?), trk# A.05
Bush, Sam. Union Grove, The Hub of the Universe, Union Grove SS-4, LP (1970), trk# 2
[1970/04]
Carlin, Bob. Brody, David (ed.) / Banjo Picker's Fakebook, Oak, Fol (1985), p142b
Cedar Point String Band. Cedar Point String Band, Roane, Cas (1993), trk# 8
Clarke, Greg. Home Recordings - October 2001, Clarke, CD (2001), trk# 12b (Old Sally Goodin)
Claunch, W. E.. Anglo-American Shanties, Lyric Songs, Dance Tunes & Spirituals,
Library of Congress AFS L 2, LP (195?), trk# B.06 [1939]
Conroy, Mike. Montana Mountain Fiddle, Alpha 08361, LP (198?), trk# A.04
Crase, James. Mountain Music of Kentucky, Smithsonian/Folkways SF 40077, CD
(1996), trk# 2.52 [1959]
Cravens, Red; and the Bray Brothers. 419 W. Main, Rounder 0015, LP (1972), trk# 19
Crooked Road. Generations, Spencer, CD (2004), trk# 8a
Crowe, J.D.; and the New South. J. D. Crowe and the New South, Rounder 0044,
LP (1975), trk# 4
Cunningham, Bill. Cunningham, Bill / Hoedown Fiddle in America (How to Play It),
Cunningham, fol (1971), p19 (Sally/Salley Goodwin)
Cutler, Marty. Brody, David (ed.) / Banjo Picker's Fakebook, Oak, Fol (1985), p143a
Daugherty, Junior. Texas Music, Heritage (Galax) 066, LP (1986), trk# A.05
Daugherty, Junior. Cowboy Tour, NCTA --, Cas (1983), trk# B.04
Davenport, Clyde. Puncheon Camps, Appalachian Center Ser. AC 002, Cas (1992), trk# 9
Davenport, Clyde. Titon, Jeff Todd / Old Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes, Kentucky,
Bk/ (2001), p170/#144B [1990/03/31]
Dillon, John W.. Folk Songs of America. The Robert Winslow Gordon Collection....,
Library of Congress AFS L68, LP (1978), trk# 5c [1925/10/22]
Elman, Tony. Swinging on a Gate, Acorn Tree 003, Cas (1986), trk# A.08
Ennis, Lee. Thede, Marion (ed.) / The Fiddle Book, Oak, Bk (1967), p 33 [1930s]
Everidge, Charlie. Southern Journey. Vol. 7: Ozark Frontier, Rounder 1707, CD
(1997), trk# 4 [1959/10]
Flatt & Scruggs & the Foggy Mountain Boys. Foggy Mountain Banjo, Columbia LE
10043, LP (196?), trk# 10
Forrester, Howdy. Fancy Fiddlin' Country Style, MGM E-4035, LP (197?), trk# B.02
Gentle, J. C.. Fiddle Jam Sessions, Voyager VLRP 301, LP (1966), trk# 11 [1966]
Goforth, Gene. Emminence Breakdown, Rounder 0388, CD (1997), trk# 22
Golden Harmony String Band. Room at the Top, JHU, LP (197?), trk# A.05a
Gorman, Skip. Lonesome Prairie Love, Rounder 0359, CD (1996), trk# 11
Gosset, Ted;'s String Band. Fiddle Band Music from Kentucky, Vol.2 Wish I Had
My Time Again, MorningStar 45004, LP (1980), trk# A.01 [1930/09/16] (Fire on the Mountain)
Grayson and Whitter. Going Down Lee Highway, Davis Unlimited DU 33033,
LP (1977), trk# 12 [1929/02/29]
Guthrie, Woody. Woody Guthrie Sings Folk Songs, Vol. 2, Folkways FA 2484,
LP (1964), trk# B.01 [1934/04/24]
Haley, Ed. Grey Eagle (Vol. 2), Rounder 1133/1134, CD (1997), trk# 2.14
Hanks, Larry. 1977 Northwest Folklife Festival, Voyager VTLP-101, LP (1977), trk# 3b
Hanks, Larry. 15th Aniversary Cassette. The Northwest Folklife Festival, NW
Folklife --, Cas (1986), trk# A.05b
Hanks, Larry; and Ron Tinkler. Berkeley Farms, Folkways FA 2436, LP (1972), trk# A.01
Harold and Abe. Sweet Sunny South, Heritage (Galax) 043, LP (1984), trk# 11
Hash, Albert; and the Whitetop Mountain Band. Albert Hash and the Whitetop
Mountain Band, Heritage (Galax) 025, LP (1979), trk# 3
Hawks, Charles. Old Time Fiddling at Union Grove. The 38th Annual Old-Time
Fi..., Prestige 14039, LP (1964), trk# A.06
Herren, Ruth Burton. Solomon, Jack & Olivia (eds.) / Sweet Bunch of Daisies,
Colonial Press, Bk (1991), p 98 [1975ca]
High Strung. High Strung, Loose Noose ASM-489, LP (1981), trk# A.04b
Holt, Bob. Got a Little Home to Go To, Rounder 0432, CD (1999), trk# 2
Hornbostel, Lois. Vive le Dulcimer!, Kicking Mule KM 215, LP (1983), trk# B.06a
Hot Club of Cowtown. Tall Tales, Hightone HCD 8104, CD (1999), trk# 15
Johnson, Herman. Herman Johnson - National Champion, Gillian, LP (1978), trk# A.01
Jones, Vester. Traditional Music From Grayson and Carroll Counties, Folkways
FS 3811, LP (1962), trk# 25 [1960ca]
Kaufman, Alan. Kaufman, Alan / Beginning Old-time Fiddle, Oak, sof (1977), p30
Kaufman, Alan. Kaufman, Alan / Beginning Old-time Fiddle, Oak, sof (1977), p60
Kennison, Warren. Weissman, Dick / Five String Banjo. Vol. 3, Advanced Techniques,
United Artists, Sof (1977), p 66
Kentucky Colonels. Kentucky Colonels, United Artists UAS 29514, LP (1973/1964), trk# B.03
Kessinger, Clark. Clark Kessinger, Fiddler, Folkways FA 2336, LP (1966), trk# 17
Kessinger, Clark. Live at Union Grove, Folkways FA 2337, Cas (1976), trk# 6
Knight, Ray. Rosenbaum, Art (ed.) / Folk Visions & Voices. Traditional Music & So....,
University of Georgia, Bk (1983), p210 [1982/02/21]
Lambert, L. W.; and the Blue River Boys. Union Grove 50. Old Time Fiddlers Convention,
Union Grove SS-9, LP (1974), trk# A.01
Lieberson, Richard. Lieberson, Richard / Old Time Fiddle Tunes for Guitar, Amsco, Sof
(1974), p 30
Long, Bill; and Bill Mitchell. More Fiddle Jam Sessions, Voyager VRLP 304, LP (1971),
trk# 26
Lowinger, Gene. Lowinger, Gene / Bluegrass Fiddle, Oak, fol (1974), p13
Mainer's Mountaineers (J. E. Mainer's Mountaineers). J. E. Mainer's Mountaineers, Arhoolie 5002, LP (1973), trk# 8
Mainer, Wade; and Mainers Mountaineers. Wade Mainer and the Mainers Mountaineers, Old
Homestead 90002, Cas (1971), trk# A.06
Maxson, Charles; and Karen Skidmore. From the Heartland of West Virginia. The Hammered & Plucked Dul, Peaceable 4, LP (1975), trk# 12
McKinney, Freeman. West Virginia Hills, Augusta Heritage AHR 011, Cas (1992), trk# 2.04 [1991/12/05]
McMahan, Pete. Now That's a Good Tune. Masters of Missouri Traditional Fiddling, Grey Eagle 101, LP (1989), trk# 38 [1988/12/26]
Miller, Sonny; & the Southern Mtn Boys. Virginia Breakdown, County 705, LP (1966), trk# B.03
Mitchum, Johnny. Johnny Mitchum, Sircy 7304, LP (1972), trk# A.03
Monday, Isham. Titon, Jeff Todd / Old Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes, Kentucky, Bk/ (2001), p170/#144A [1959/11/27]
Moonlight Seranaders. 1941 Old Fiddlers Convention, Galax, Virginia, Voyage Beyond, CD (200?), trk# 27 [1941]
New Lost City Ramblers. New Lost City Ramblers, Vol. 2, Folkways FA 2397, LP (1960),
trk# B.03
Osborne, Uncle Charlie (Charlie N.). 100 Years Farther On, June Appal JA 0064C,
Cas (199?), trk# 1
Perkins, J. T.. Fiddle Favorites Perkins Style, Davis Unlimited DU-33017, LP (1975),
trk# B.01
Pollard, Randy. I'm Just a Country Boy, JRS LSP 2240, LP (1982), trk# B.03
Poor Richard's Almanac. Poor Richard's Almanac, Ridge Runner RRR 0002, LP (1976), trk# 18
Presnell, Mrs. Edd (Nellie). Instrumental Music of the Southern Appalachians, Tradition TR 1007, LP (196?), trk# 10 [1956/07ca]
Putnam String County Band. Home Grown, Rounder 3003, LP (1973), trk# 2
Reeltime Travelers. Livin' Reeltime, Thinkin' Old-Time, Yodel-Ay-Hee 042, CD (2002), trk# 9
Riley, Barstow. Texas Hoedown, County 703, LP (1965), trk# A.05
Robertson, Eck. Master Fiddler, Sonyatone STR 201, LP (1976), trk# 3 [1922/07/01]
Robertson, Eck. Southern Dance Music, Vol. 2, Old-Timey LP 101, LP (1965), trk# 1
[1922/07/01]
Robertson, Eck. Brody, David (ed.) / Fiddler's Fakebook, Oak, Sof (1983), p246
Roberts, Fiddlin' Doc. Fiddlin' Doc Roberts / Complete Recorded Works..., Vol 2. 1928-1, Document DOCD 8043, CD (1999), 19 [1930/01/13]
Robertson, Lonnie. Missouri Fiddling by Lonnie Robertson, Caney Mountain CEP 210, SP
(195?), trk# 1
Robertson, Lonnie. Fiddle Tunes - Ozark Style, Vol. 2, Caney Mountain CLP-233, LP (1980), trk# 4
Robins, Butch. Forty Years Late, Rounder 0086, LP (1977), trk# B.02
Rosenbaum, Art (Arthur). Five String Banjo, Kicking Mule KM 108, LP (1974), trk# 1
Rosenbaum, Art (Arthur). Rosenbaum, Art / Art of the Mountain Banjo, Centerstream, Fol (1981), p31
Rose, Buddy. Down Home Pickin', Dominion NR 3319, LP (197?), trk# A.05
Rutland, Georgia Slim (Robert Hughes). Raw Fiddle, Kanawha 325, LP (1976), trk# 9
Salyer, John Morgan. Home Recordings 1941-42. Vol. 2, Appalachian Center Ser. AC 003-v2, cas (1993), trk# B.07 (Sallie Goodin)
Scruggs, Earl. Scruggs, Earl / Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo, Peer International, Bk (1968), p110 (Sally/Salley Goodwin)
Scruggs, Junie. American Banjo - Tunes and Songs in Scruggs Style, Folkways FA 2314, LP (1966), trk# A.11a
Seeger, Mike. Texas Music, Heritage (Galax) 066, LP (1986), trk# B.06
Sewell, Ace. Southwest Fiddlin', Voyager VRLP 319-S, LP (1977), trk# B.05
Sholle, Jon. Traum, Happy / BLuegrass Guitar, Oak, Sof (1974), p109
Short, Lillian. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume III, Humorous & Play-Party, University of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p350/#544B [1950/04/01]
Skillet Lickers. Skillet Lickers, Vol. 2, County 526, LP (1973), trk# 10a [1929/11/02]
Solomon, Vernon. Texas Breakdown, Davis Unlimited DU 33038, LP (1976), trk# 4
Southern Mountain Boys. 31st Annual Old Fiddlers Convention, Justice, LP (1966), trk# A.01
Stinnett, Cyril. Salty River Reel, MSOTFA 104, Cas (1992), trk# 24
Stinnett, Cyril. Plain Old Time Fiddling, Stinnett SLP 1013, LP (197?), trk# B.03
Stoneman's Dixie Mountaineers. Ernest V. Stoneman & his Dixie Mountaineers. 1927-28,
Historical HLP-8004, LP (197?), trk# 10 [1928/04/24]
Stoneman, Scotty; with the Kentucky Colonels. Live in LA, Sierra/Briar SBR 4206, LP
(1978), trk# B.01 [1965/01-03]
Sumner, Marion. Road To Home, June Appal JA 0030, LP (1979), trk# 19
Thackerson, Roy. Fingerless Fiddler. Vol. 2, Ovella 2, LP (197?), trk# B.01
Thomasson, Benny. National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest & Festival. 1974, Century, LP (1974), trk# B.14
Thomas, Tony. Old Style Texas and Oklahoma Fiddling, Takoma A-1013, LP (195?), trk# 15
Trammell, Dean. High on the Fiddle, Kanawha 320, LP (197?), trk# B.03
Trischka, Tony. Trischka, Tony / Melodic Banjo, Oak, Sof (1976), p113
Twyman, Goebel. Old Time Fiddler, Atwell Lps 1677, LP (197?), trk# B.03
Unknown Fiddler. Thede, Marion (ed.) / The Fiddle Book, Oak, Bk (1967), p 32 [1930s]
Walters, Bob. Drunken Wagoner, MSOTFA 106, Cas (1993), trk# B.07
Ward, Wade; and Jimmie Edmonds. More Goodies from the Hills, Union Grove SS-3, LP (1969), trk# 2
Ward, Wade. Uncle Wade. A Memorial to Wade Ward, Old Time Virginia Banjo ..., Folkways FA 2380, LP (1973), trk# 20
Warren, Paul. America's Greatest Breakdown Fiddle Player, CMH 6237, LP (1979), trk# 17
Watson, Doc. Out in the Country, Intermedia/Quicksilver QS 5031, LP (1982), trk# 4
Wheeler, Carol Ann. Joy of Fiddling, American Heritage 401-532, LP (198?), trk# 5
Wills, Bob; and the Texas Playboys. Tiffany Transcriptions, Vol. 6. Sally Goodin,
Kalidescope F-27, LP (1987), trk# 2
Wills, Bob; and the Texas Playboys. Tiffany Transcriptions, Vol. 6. Sally Goodin,
Kalidescope F-27, LP (1987), trk# 14
Williams, Hank; and the Drifting Cowboys. Country-Western Radio. Rare Radio Recordings
of Famous Count..., Radiola MR-1069, LP (1977), trk# A1.7
Winston, Winnie. Steel Wool, Philo 1058, LP (1978), trk# A.01
Wood, Jim. Devil's Box, Devil's Box, Ser, 31/2, p32(1997)
Yohey, Bill. 20 Country Strings, American Heritage ST 106, LP (196?), trk# 8
Yohey, Bill. National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Folk Music Festival. 1966, Century, LP (1966), trk# 16
Youngblood, Dwayne (Duane). Hootenanny Hoedown, Dye, LP (1963), trk# B.02a
RELATED TO: Bear Creek Sally Goodin; Sweet Milk and Peaches; Call Your Dogs and Let's Go Hunting; Pretty Little Miss; Brilliancy Medley; Tennessee Breakdown; Thank God I'm a Country Boy; Black Sally Goodin; Big Joe; Bear Creek's Up; Kanawha County Rag
OTHER NAMES: Sally Goodwin, Sally Gooden; Old Sally Goodin;
PRINT AND ONLINE SOURCES: Online: Kuntz, A Fiddler’s Companion; Mudcat; Traditional Ballad Index, Folk Index; Lomax-FSNA 121, "Sally Goodin" (1 text, 1 tune); Randolph 544, "Sally Goodin" (1 text, 2 tunes); Darling-NAS, p. 255, "Sally Goodin" (1 text); Silber-FSWB, p. 33, "Sally Goodin" (1 text)
NOTES: Lyrics include: "Had a piece of pie an' I had a piece of puddin', An' I gave it all away just to see my Sally Goodin" and “Looked up the road, seen Sally comin', Thought to my soul I'd break my neck a-runnin'.”
Mike Yeats: Sally Gooden turns up all over the upland south of America, but I have included Ted Boyd's gentle version because of his unusual 'high' part of the tune. His banjo is tuned to a relative double-C tuning (gCGCD) and he gets this third part by fretting the first string on the 10th fret with his little finger, bringing an unexpectedly delightful effect to the tune.
According to North Carolina fiddler Bruce Green, the tune was originally called Boatin' Up Sandy (referring to the Big Sandy River in eastern Kentucky) and was renamed by Civil War Confederate soldiers in Morgan's Raiders while they were camped on the Big Sandy in Pike County, Kentucky. Sally Goodin ran a boarding house there and allowed the soldiers to camp and play music. To show their appreciation of her kindness, Morgan's men renamed the tune in her honor.
[Fiddler Hiram Stamper for the Morehead State University Vintage Fiddlers Oral History Project was interviewed and corroborates Green’s theory. The interview was conducted by Marynell Young at the Stamper residence, Knott County, KY 418822. Marynell Young plays guitar. Martha Stamper and Bob Butler were also present during the interview session. Stamper talks about how soldiers made tune called Sally Goodin from tune called Boatin' Up Sandy. Location was on the Big Sandy River.] From Morehead State University Vintage Fiddlers Oral History Project on-line.
It should, perhaps, be pointed out that there are several other tunes which are today also titled Boatin' Up Sandy. There is also another Kentucky tune, played with the fiddle tuned ADAD, called Red Top Boots, Pocket Full of Money which is similar to Sally Gooden.
There are a couple of good early recordings available on Document DOCD-8011 (The Kessinger Brothers) and Document DOCD-8043 (Fiddlin' Doc Roberts), although it was Eck Robertson's 1922 recording (reissued on County CO CD 5515) that really popularized the tune across America. For some reason Earl Johnson & His Clodhoppers recorded it in 1928 as Nigger in the Cotton Patch (Document DOCD-8006).
From Kuntz, A Fiddler’s Companion: “A widely known breakdown and play party tune in the upland South (but not universally known throughout the country—Paul Gifford reports that it was completely unknown to traditional fiddlers in Michigan, for example). Bayard (1981) suggests that the tunes "Sally Goodin," "Old Dan Tucker" and his Pennsylvania collected "Rye Whiskey [2]" (a breakdown, not the 3/4 time version) are related "in an affinity that goes back a long while;" and, in fact, some versions of these tunes do seem to blend with one another. Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner said: "Old Texas tune. Only a few play it well. All try it" (Shumway).
Charles Wolfe (1982) states it was popular with Kentucky fiddlers. It was asserted to be one of the standard tunes in a square dance fiddler's repertoire, according to A.B. Moore in his History of Alabama (1934). Rosenbaum (1989) remarks that it is an almost universally known fiddle tune in the South, but that the verses (an example is given below) are not sung as frequently today as they were in the past. Texas fiddler Eck Robertson was the first person to record the tune in 1922 when he was aged thirty-four (Robertson is remembered playing the tune at various times in both AEae and standard tuning, though on his early and famous recording he played in AEae).
“Sally Goodin” was in the repertoires of Fiddlin John Carson (North Ga.) {1922}, Fiddlin' Cowan Powers 1877-1952? (Russell County, S.W. Va.) {and who recorded the tune for Victor in August, 1924, though it was unissued}, Uncle Am Stuart (b. 1856, Morristown, Tenn.) {and who re-recorded it for Vocalion in 1924}, Uncle Jimmy Thompson 1848-1931 (Tenn.) {as "Sally Goodwin"}, and Alabama fiddler Monkey Brown (1897-1972). North Georgia fiddler Earl Johnson, with his band the Clodhoppers, recorded a version of the tune in 1928. Also in repertoire of legendary fiddler J. Dedrick Harris, born in Tennessee, and who played regularly with Bob Taylor while he was running for Governor of the state in the late 1800's. Harris moved to Western N.C. in the 1920's and influenced a generation of fiddlers there: Osey Helton, Manco Sneed, Bill Hensley, Marcus Martin.
The title was mentioned in reports of the De Kalb County Annual (Fiddlers') Convention, 1926-31 (Cauthen, 1990). At the turn of the century it was played by George Cole of Etowah County, Alabama, as recorded by Mattie Cole Stanfield in her book Sourwood Tonic and Sassafras Tea (1965). The tune was recorded for the Library of Congress by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph from Ozark Mountain fiddlers in the early 1940's; he said it was popular at play-parties in the Ozarks in the 1890's (see his Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 3). Similarly, it was recorded in 1939 for the Library of Congress by Herbert Halpert from the playing of Itawamba/Tishomingo County, Mississippi, fiddler John Brown and, in the same year from Franklin County, Virginia, fiddler J.W. 'Peg' Hatcher (2741-B-2).
Texas fiddler Eck Robertson's 1923 release of "Sally Goodin'" (backed with "Ragtime Annie") was the number one country music bestseller for the year 1923. Georgia fiddler Bill Shores, a native Alabamian who spent most of his life in the Rome, Georgia, area (according to Wayne Daniels), recorded the tune (under the title “Sally Goodwin”) with guitarist Riley Puckett in Atlanta in 1926. Fellow Georgia fiddler A.A Gray played the tune on “A Fiddler’s Tryout in Georgia,” a sham fiddling-contest skit with supposed judges and two fiddlers vying for a prize (Joe Brown was his nemesis)—Gray plays “Bucking Mule” and “Sally Goodin’” on the 78 RPM