Huddie Ledbetter aka Leadbelly was one of the most underrated folk and blues musicians in American history. He was the self-proclaimed "King of the 12-String Guitar".
He lived a very interesting personal life. He was imprisoned several times, once for killing one of his relatives in a fight over a woman.
Once he escaped. During his second sentence, he received a pardon after serving seven years by writing a song to the governor appealing for his release. Apparently, he swayed Gov. Neff by appealing to his strong religious beliefs. That, in combination with good behavior (including entertaining by playing for the guards and fellow prisoners), was Leadbelly's ticket out of jail. Five years later, he was back in prison for attempted homicide. It was there, three years later, that he was discovered by musicologists John and Alan Lomax, which led to the Library of Congress recordings.
He later went on to record a children's album entitled "Lead Belly Sings For Children".
Kurt Cobain called Leadbelly his favorite performer.
This song has been most heavily associated with Leadbelly, probably because he recorded several versions in the 1940's, but it traditionally dates back to the 1870's.
Cobain most likely based his interpretation on an original 1944 78 rpm recording that fellow Seattle grunger, Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees), had.
The vocals, from the 3 minute mark on, give me chills every time I hear it.
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