Shortnin' Bread

Last updated

"Shortnin' Bread"
Song
Writtenc. 1890s
Published1900
Songwriter(s) James Whitcomb Riley

"Shortnin' Bread" (also spelled "Shortenin' Bread", "Short'nin' Bread", or "Sho'tnin' Bread") is an American folk song dating back at least to 1900, when James Whitcomb Riley published it as a poem. While there is speculation that Riley may have based his poem on an earlier African-American plantation song, [1] no definitive evidence of such an origin has yet been uncovered. A "collected" version of the song was published by E. C. Perrow in 1915. It is song number 4209 in the Roud Folk Song Index.

Contents

Shortening bread refers to a bread made of corn meal and/or flour and lard shortening.

Origins

The origin of "Shortnin' Bread" is obscure. Despite speculation of African-American roots, it is possible that it may have originated with Riley as a parody of a plantation song, in the minstrel or coon song traditions popular at the time. [2] [3]

Riley titled the song "A Short'nin' Bread Song—Pieced Out", and wrote the first verse as:

Fotch dat dough fum the kitchin-shed
Rake de coals out hot an' red
Putt on de oven an' putt on de led
Mammy's gwiner cook som short'nin' bread [4]

The dialect rendered into common English would be:

Fetch that dough, from the kitchen shed
Rake those coals out, hot and red
Put on the oven and put on the lid
Mommy's going to cook some short'nin' bread

The verse includes:

When corn plantin' done come roun'
Blackbird own de whole plowed groun'
Corn is de grain as I've hearn said
Dat's de blackbird's short'nin' bread

Another pair of verses may be later, and exist in several versions:

Three little children, lying in bed
Two was sick and the other 'most dead
Send for the doctor and the doctor said
"feed them children on short'nin' bread"

When those children, sick in bed,
heard that talk 'bout short'nin' bread.
They popped up well, to dance and sing,
skipping around and cut the pigeon wing.

In some versions there are two children instead of three - and the "other" either "bump'd his head" or "was dead". The first doesn't quite scan.[ clarification needed ] The children (or "chillun") were once referred to by one of several racist terms.

Other verses include:

Pull out the skillet, pull out the led,
Mama's gonna make a little short'nin' bread
That ain't all she's gonna do,
Mama's gonna make a little coffee too

I slipped to the kitchen, slipped on the led,
slipped my pockets full of short'nin' bread.
I stole the skillet, I stole the led,
I stole the girl who makes short'nin' bread

They caught me with the skillet, They caught me with the led,
They caught me with the girl who makes short'nin' bread.
I paid six dollars for the skillet, six dollars for the led,
Spent six months in jail eating short'nin' bread.

Reese DuPree composed a version recorded in 1927. [5]

Folk version

Titled "Shortened Bread", E. C. Perrow published the first folk version of this song in 1915, which he collected from East Tennessee in 1912. [6] The folk version of the song—as with Riley's—does not have any distinct theme, but consists of various floating lyrics, some relating to "shortnin' bread", some not. The traditional chorus associated with the folk song goes:

Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin'
Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread (rpt.)

Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin'


Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread (rpt.)


Other renditions

Version by Clayton McMichen OldJoeClark-PrettyLittleWidder-ShorteninBread.gif
Version by Clayton McMichen

The Beach Boys version

"Shortenin' Bread"
Song by the Beach Boys
from the album L.A. (Light Album)
Released19 March 1979 (1979-03-19)
Recordedc. 1979
Length2:50
Songwriter(s) Traditional, arranged by Brian Wilson
Licensed audio
"Shortenin' Bread" on YouTube

"Shortenin' Bread" was recorded by the American rock band the Beach Boys numerous times. Only one version has seen official release, as the final track on their 1979 album L.A. (Light Album) . The band's principal songwriter Brian Wilson was reportedly obsessed with the song, having recorded more than a dozen versions of the tune. [29] Beach Boy Al Jardine speculated that Wilson's obsession with the song may have begun after co-writing the song "Ding Dang" with the Byrds' Roger McGuinn in the early 1970s. [30] Numerous anecdotes have been reported about Wilson's obsession with the song:

A number of Wilson-produced "Shortenin' Bread" and "Ding Dang" variations remain unreleased. Titles include "Clangin'" (recorded with Nilsson), "Brian's Jam", [29] and "Rolling Up to Heaven". [34] A version that was developed from a 1973 session, featuring American Spring as guest vocalists, was completed for the unreleased album Adult/Child in 1977. [35] [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Wilson</span> American musician (born 1942)

Brian Douglas Wilson is an American retired musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often called a genius for his novel approaches to pop composition, extraordinary musical aptitude, and mastery of recording techniques, he is widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and significant songwriters of the 20th century. His best-known work is distinguished for its high production values, complex harmonies and orchestrations, layered vocals, and introspective or ingenuous themes. Wilson is also known for his formerly high-ranged singing and lifelong struggles with mental illness.

<i>The Beach Boys Today!</i> 1965 album by the Beach Boys

The Beach Boys Today! is the eighth studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released March 8, 1965, by Capitol Records. It signaled a departure from their previous records with its orchestral sound, intimate subject matter, and abandonment of car or surf songs. Side one features an uptempo sound, while side two consists mostly of introspective ballads. Supported by this thematic approach, the record established the group as album artists rather than just a singles band.

<i>15 Big Ones</i> 1976 album by the Beach Boys

15 Big Ones is the 20th studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released July 5, 1976, by Brother/Reprise. It includes a mix of original songs and renditions of rock 'n' roll and R&B standards. The LP was the band's first album with production credited solely to Brian Wilson since Pet Sounds (1966). As such, its release was accompanied by a controversial media campaign that declared his comeback as an active member of the Beach Boys' recording and touring group.

<i>The Beach Boys Love You</i> 1977 studio album by the Beach Boys

The Beach Boys Love You is the 21st studio album by American rock band the Beach Boys, released April 11, 1977, on Brother/Reprise.

<i>L.A. (Light Album)</i> 1979 album by the Beach Boys

L.A. is the 23rd studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released on March 16, 1979, and their first issued through CBS Records. Recorded during a period of acrimony between the band members, it was a critical and commercial failure, peaking at number 100 in the U.S. and number 32 in the UK.

<i>All Summer Long</i> (album) 1964 album by the Beach Boys

All Summer Long is the sixth album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released July 13, 1964 on Capitol Records. Regarded as their first artistically unified collection of songs, as well as one of the first true concept albums, it marked the Beach Boys' first LP that was not focused on themes of cars or surfing. Instead, the songs are semi-autobiographical and relate to the experiences of a typical Southern Californian teenager, a theme encapsulated by the title track, "All Summer Long", and the often-imitated front cover, a modernist style photo collage depicting the band members fraternizing with young women on a beach.

<i>Brian Wilson</i> (album) 1988 album by Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is the first solo album by American musician Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, released July 12, 1988, by Sire and Reprise Records. Promoted as a spiritual successor to his band's 1966 release Pet Sounds, the album is characterized by its rich, synthesizer-heavy orchestrations. It cost over $1 million to record and was the first album produced by Wilson since The Beach Boys Love You (1977). His former psychologist, Eugene Landy, was credited as "executive producer".

Sea of Tunes was a music publishing company founded in 1962 by Murry and Brian Wilson. Murry was the first manager of the Beach Boys, the father of Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson and the uncle of Mike Love. The intention of Sea of Tunes was to publish and promote the songs written primarily by Brian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Worry Baby</span> 1964 single by the Beach Boys

"Don't Worry Baby" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their March 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2. Written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, Wilson's lead vocal on the track is considered one of his defining performances, and he later referred to "Don't Worry Baby" as perhaps the Beach Boys' finest record. It was issued in May 1964 as the B-side of "I Get Around", and charted separately at number 24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Let Me Wonder</span> 1965 single by the Beach Boys

"Please Let Me Wonder" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1965 album The Beach Boys Today!. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, it was the first song Wilson wrote under the influence of marijuana. The lyrics are about a man who does not know if a girl loves him and is afraid of learning the answer, and so he prefers to fantasize that she does. On February 15, the song was issued as the B-side to their "Do You Wanna Dance?" single before the album's release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Go Near the Water (The Beach Boys song)</span> 1971 song by the Beach Boys

"Don't Go Near the Water" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1971 album Surf's Up. Written by Mike Love and Al Jardine, the song puts an ironic, ecological spin on the traditional Beach Boys beach- and surf- based songs: instead of enjoying surfing and other fun activities, this time the listener is advised to avoid the water for environmental reasons.

"Don't Hurt My Little Sister" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1965 album The Beach Boys Today!. Written by Brian Wilson with additional lyrics by Mike Love, it was inspired by Wilson's interactions with sisters Marilyn, Diane, and Barbara Rovell. It was produced on June 22, 1964, making it the earliest-recorded song on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honkin' Down the Highway</span> 1977 single by the Beach Boys

"Honkin' Down the Highway" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1977 album The Beach Boys Love You. It was written by Brian Wilson and sung by Al Jardine. The lyrics describe a man driving to a woman, at her father's behest, for an engagement that the narrator states will conclude with himself "Takin' one little inch at a time, now / 'Til we're feelin' fine, now".

"Ding Dang" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1977 album The Beach Boys Love You. It was written by Brian Wilson and Roger McGuinn during an impromptu jam session after Wilson had visited McGuinn's home to acquire amphetamines.

"The Happy Organ" is an instrumental composition made famous by Dave "Baby" Cortez in 1959. Cortez co-composed it with noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Ken Wood. A significant portion of the tune bears a strong resemblance to the traditional "Shortnin' Bread" tune. The record topped the Billboard Hot 100 on 11 May 1959 and also reached #5 on Billboard's R&B chart. In Canada, the song reached #6.

"California Feelin'" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Stephen Kalinich that was recorded by the Beach Boys in the 1970s. Wilson recorded a solo version in 2002 for the Beach Boys compilation Classics Selected by Brian Wilson. Wilson’s bandmate Al Jardine later recorded his own version for his debut solo album A Postcard from California. Two composite versions of the Beach Boys' original recordings – one complete and the other a piano/vocal demo – were included on the 2013 compilation Made in California.

<i>Spring</i> (American Spring album) 1972 studio album by Spring

Spring is the only album by American pop duo Spring, released in July 1972 on United Artists. It contains cover versions of popular songs as well as original material written or co-written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Although Brian is the album's only credited producer, most of the production was actually handled by his collaborator at the time, David Sandler, alongside engineer Stephen Desper.

"My Solution" is a song by the American rock band The Beach Boys that was recorded during the early sessions for their 1971 album Surf's Up. The track is a novelty Halloween song that features Brian Wilson doing an impression of Vincent Price over a descending chord progression and test-tube sound effects. The song was officially released as part of the 2021 compilation Feel Flows.

<i>Adult/Child</i> Unreleased Beach Boys album

Adult Child is an unreleased studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys that was produced in early 1977. Similar to the release it was meant to follow, The Beach Boys Love You, the album is essentially a semi-autobiographical solo effort by the band's chief songwriter and producer, Brian Wilson. The title refers to a theory that one's personality can be split into "adult" and "child" modes of thinking.

<i>Mount Vernon and Fairway</i> 1973 EP by the Beach Boys

Mount Vernon and Fairway is an EP by the American rock band the Beach Boys that was included as a bonus record with their 1973 release Holland. It is a 12-minute musical fairy tale, primarily composed by Brian Wilson, assembled by Carl Wilson, and narrated by manager Jack Rieley. Brian provided the voice of the Pied Piper and drew the sleeve cover.

References

  1. ↑ Wade, Stephen. The Beautiful Music all Around Us: Field Recordings and the American Experience. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012. p. 93.
  2. ↑ ""Minstrel show : American Theater"". Britannica.com.
  3. ↑ ""The History of Ragtime: Cakewalk and Coon song"". Blackmusicscholar.com. 28 September 2020.
  4. ↑ Eitel, The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley, p. 119.
  5. ↑ "Du Pree, Reese". Discography of American Historical Recordings.
  6. ↑ Perrow, "Songs and Rhymes from the South", p. 142: "from Tennessee mountain whites, 1912". Archive.org
  7. ↑ "Shortening Bread". 6 November 2014 – via YouTube.
  8. ↑ ""Paul Robeson, Green Pastures [X27]"". Cpsr.cs.uchicago.edu.
  9. ↑ "The Andrews Sisters : Shortenin' Bread. Recorded in 1938. Composed By Wood; Wolfe". 18 September 2015 – via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread : The Viscounts". 7 December 2010 – via YouTube.
  11. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread". 23 May 2015 – via YouTube.
  12. ↑ "Fats Waller & His Rhythm - Shortnin' Bread". 12 November 2015 – via YouTube.
  13. ↑ "Short'nin' Bread (Remastered)". 24 September 2015 – via YouTube.
  14. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread by Frances Faye" – via YouTube.
  15. ↑ "NELSON EDDY SINGS SHORTNIN BREAD jame whitcombe riley 1938". 11 May 2023 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ "Shortnin' bread". 25 January 2017 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ "Short'nin' Bread". 8 November 2014 – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread". 25 January 2017 – via YouTube.
  19. ↑ "Charles Mingus - Shortnin' Bread". 17 August 2008 – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ "The Beach Boys - Shortnin' Bread (From the Adult Child album)". 15 March 2017 – via YouTube.
  21. ↑ "Klaus Flouride - Shortnin Bread / The Drowning Cowboy (1982)". 9 February 2023 – via YouTube.
  22. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread". 21 July 2018 – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ "The Cramps - Shortnin' Bread (1990)". 22 December 2010 – via YouTube.
  24. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread". 28 February 2018 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ "Shortenin' Bread by The Tractors". 5 November 2022 – via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "Shortnin' Bread - Dance Performance by Troupe 212 at Laurie Berkner Band Concert". 21 April 2010 – via YouTube.
  27. ↑ "Mama's Little Baby Loves Shortnin' Bread 🎵 Sing Along Nursery Rhyme with The Wiggles". 11 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ "Israel's Arcade - Full Live Set". 24 August 2023 – via YouTube.
  29. 1 2 3 Chidester, Brian (7 March 2014). "Busy Doin' Somethin': Uncovering Brian Wilson's Lost Bedroom Tapes". Paste . Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  30. ↑ Beard, David (Spring 2007). "Ding Dang". Endless Summer Quarterly.
  31. ↑ George-Warren 2014, p. 124.
  32. ↑ Carlin 2006, p. 172.
  33. ↑ Music-News.com Newsdesk (5 July 2011). "Alice Cooper was too afraid to argue with Brian Wilson". MusicNewsWeb.
  34. ↑ Chidester, Brian (30 January 2014). "Brian Wilson's Secret Bedroom Tapes". LA Weekly . Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  35. ↑ "The Stylus Magazine Non-Definitive Guide: The Lost Album". Stylus Magazine. 2 September 2003. Archived from the original on 5 September 2003. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  36. ↑ Lambert 2007, p. 316.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.