Hi folks, not sure if this should be in the lyrics section....
I really like the song Shake Sugaree (ElizabethCotten / Mary Flower et al) but cant find out what it means ...can anyone shed any light on the meaning of the term?
Possibly it 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. This could very well be wrong, mind you, I just think I may have heard this explanation at some point.
In the context of the Cotten song (ignore Grateful Dead version -- it has no relation to tradition), the meaning involves loss: "everything I got is done in pawn." I think it's a reasonable assumption that "shake" refers to shooting dice. I could find no credible (underline credible) information about "sugaree." It sounds like it would be southern African-American vernacular, but there's no mention of anything remotely like it in Bartlett's 1890s Dictionary of Americanisms (other than "shake" means to throw dice) nor in Partridge's 1940s Dictionary of American Slang. The notes to the album where Cotten sings it do not speculate on its meaning, and Zora Neale Hurston's "Of Mules and Men" (source of meaning of "skin game" and "let your deal go down") has nothing about it.
Google is no help -- it's overwhelmed by GD hits and ignorant speculation based mainly on the words to their song. The notes to the Cotten album say the words were made up by her great-grandchildren, as she encouraged them to sing this song at bedtime, and they competed to make up new verses. Still, I can't help but think Cotten had already supplied the chorus. Too bad we can't ask her what she thought it meant.
Hi all, I would opt for the nonsense explanation. It's a children's song, with non sequitir verses, and the tag line of the refrain doesn't pertain to the verses in any obvious way. I see it as being meaningful in the way that "fee fie foe fum" from "Jack in the Beanstalk" is meaningful. It is a beautiful song, too, especially as sung by Brenda Evans and backed by Libba Cotten--such calm time. All best, Johnm
"The earliest accounts of the hill-country of North Carolina, accessible to the writer, are those contained in Lawson's History of a Journey from Charleston to Pamlico Sound, in the year 1701. Starting from the former place in December, 1700, he passed around to the mouth of Santee River in a boat, and thence up that stream for a distance in the same way. Then leaving the river he traveled up between the Santee and Pee Dee Rivers, until he crossed the Yadkin River at Trading Ford, within six miles of where Salisbury now stands. As there were no European settlers from the lower Santee to Pamlico, and as he often forgets to mention the scenes through which he passed, it is very difficult to trace his exact route. Still there are some waymarks by which we can identify a part of his course. Among the first of these is the High Hills of Santee, in Sumter County, S. C. Then the Waxsaws, Kadapaus (Catawba), and Sugarees, have left names behind them that indicate the spots he visited. The name ''Sugaree" suggests the inquiry whether the ancient name of Sugar Creek, was not Sugaree, rather than "Sugaw," as found in old records. "
So maybe it was a localism that Cotten picked because she (or the children) liked the sound, alliteration with "shake," and the previously-mentioned rhyme. I love mysteries.
It is hard to know what Elizabeth Cotten's relationship to the Shoccoree/Chicora/Sugaree was. Perhaps this lullaby about dejected poverty, with its references to tobacco (twice), a pipe, antiquated items like buggies and watch-chains and an obscure reference to an extinct tribe was spontaneously created by her great grandchildren (although her original statement that it was composed by her great grandchildren was contradicted by one of those grandchildren who said that Elizabeth Cotten injected the chorus.) Perhaps it could have been a local minstrel song or popular jingle that she adapted. Her amibguity on the subject could be intentional as "mixed race communities" are still an extremely touchy subject to speak openly about in the South, especially the Carolina piedmont.
here's the Brenda Evans/Elizabeth Cotten version that John mentioned.
Thank you so much everyone who responded to this request, I'm really impressed that there was so much interest and considered response.
But, the biggest thanks must go to Lyle for investigation above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, I might go as far as suggesting that Lyle be nominated for the "Sherlock Holmes Investigative Trophy".
This award is not often offered, nor apparently accepted, it would appear that recipients are not always happy with the way the award is referred to "acronyminally"......!
Thanks again , Mike.
« Last Edit: May 09, 2012, 09:57:33 PM by Mike Shipman »
Aw, Shucks! Thanks for the compliment, Mike. I'll be sure to put the acronym on my resume'. Oh wait, it's already there, in a letter of recommendation.